Also ---
Questions & Answers for Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2020 - Categorised questions.pdf
"IG has no mandate to suggest new possibilities but only to take care of the transmission and therefore to recommend respect for the instructions of the Master. In 2016 Chogyal Namkhai Norbu wrote a letter to all practitioners, which clearly shows his total trust in his family and that no practitioner can give the transmission to our primordial state, or the transmission of tantric practices."
In actual fact, the two letters of 2016, as to who can teach, do NOT/NOT make statements as described and the IG is misstating the instructions of the Master.
The words of ChNNR of 2016 state that anyone who has completed a practice can teach that practice.
As to what his family can teach, ChNNR stated "I have perfect trust that they can teach anything that I have taught them." Neither ChNNR, nor the family, has revealed what it is that he has taught them. If ChNNR had wanted only a single individual to give the Direct Introduction and the Lung readings he would have written something about this. To date, nothing written or recorded has been forthcoming about this issue.
In the IG FAQ guidelines, the SMS Instructors are the only ones authorized to teach and in the ATIF Guidelines they are not allowed to teach DI or Lungs. Isn't this in direct opposition to the words of ChNN in the 2 letters of 2016 as to who can teach (anyone who has completed a practice) which also state that the SMS Instructors cannot teach anything just because they are SMS Instructors.
So maybe we need new guidelines that harmonize the FAQs, the Guidelines of the ATIF and the advice of ChNN in the 2 communications of 2016.
http://dzogchencommunity.org/faqs/
Blue (8)
Are there guidelines regarding whom can be invited to teach at a Dzogchen Community-organised event?
Yes, these are the guidelines: Dzogchen Community organizes Teachings by Rinpoche, and courses by authorized instructors of Santi Maha Sangha, Yantra Yoga, Vajra Dance, and Khaita, and that is all.
See P14. of the ATIF guidelines.
http://melong.com/wp-content/uploads/20 ... tation.pdf
P14
Guidelines for the content of public courses on
Meditation
General considerations
This document provides a general guideline for the topics that can be taught in Public Courses, and
also delineates that which can not be taught in order to be supported by ATIF.
We are all aware that nobody has the authority to give indications of this type except the Master
himself. Fortunately Rinpoche repeatedly gave clear explanations on this issue, which have been
collected and summarized in this document.
The main characteristic of Public Courses is that everything related to Sutra teachings can be freely
taught in the three aspects of View, Meditation and Behavior, whereas teachings and methods
related to Tantra and Dzogchen should not be taught, since they require Empowerments, Direct
Introduction or transmission of lungs.
Chögyal Namkhai Norbu never authorized any SMS teacher
to give Initiations, Direct Transmission in any form, or Lungs, so such an activity can not be
recognized by ATIF.
Chögyal Namkhai Norbu encouraged instructors to teach according to circumstances, entering the
dimension of those present. Therefore, while establishing clear boundaries in terms of content,
these guidelines do not intend to constrain the style of communicating of each individual
instructor. Nevetheless, they need to speak and behave in an appropriate manner, avoiding
divisive opinions, such as those related to gender, politics, religion, race, etc.
Content and intention of Public Courses
The aim of these courses is to aid participants to develop awareness of their existence as a whole:
how their Body, Energy and Mind function and interact. Based on this understanding they can
discover how to free limitations and evolve, living a more joyful life.
In terms of examples for the View, teachers can describe to those interested the basis of Buddhist
philosophy, such as the Four Noble Truths, the Four Awarenesses that change the mental attitude,
the Six Paramitas, advice on karma, faith and how to follow a Teacher. They can also talk about the
Three Gates, their functions and the general overview of the Three Paths of Liberation.
In terms of examples for Meditation, teachers could explain the Three Sacred Fundamentals and
give advice on body posture, breathing, and ways to develop ordinary presence and awareness.
They can also teach other methods from Hinayana and Mahayana such as the Four Applications of
Presence, the Four Immeasurables, and so on.
In terms of examples for Behavior, teachers could explain the essence of Hinayana: not harming
others and of Mahayana: working with intention, for the benefits of others. As well, teachers can
define the importance of integrating ordinary presence and awareness in the actions of daily life,
and to use self-observation to discover the function of the mind, its movements and its limits.
As we all know, practices related to Vajrayana empowerments and DzogchenTransmission such as
Semdzin, Rushen, Kumbhaka and prana related practices cannot be taught in open courses.
References
The reference texts are the open part of the Precious Vase (The Way to Enter the
Teaching) and other open materials from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu such as The Mirror,
The Crystal and the Way of Light, etc.