Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche

The founder and guide of the Dzogchen Community is Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, who has lived in the West since 1960, when he came to Italy at the invitation of Professor Giuseppe Tucci, as a staff member of the Institute for Middle & Far Eastern Studies of Rome (today ISIAO).

He was Professor of Tibetan and Mongolian Language and Literature from 1964 to 1992 at the Oriental Institute of the University of Naples. A leading authority on Tibetan civilization, particularly expert in the fields of history, literature, and medical and astrological science, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu is widely known for his activities on behalf of the culture and people of Tibet.

At his birth, in 1938 at Dege (Eastern Tibet), Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche was recognized as the reincarnation of the great Dzogchen master Adzom Drugpa (1842-1934), and when he was five years old he was further recognized by the XVIth Karmapa as the mind emanation of Drug Shabdrung Rinpoche, a prior reincarnation of the master Padma Karpo.

Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche studied with some of the most important masters of his time and completed his training in both the Sutras and the Tantras, as required by the Buddhist tradition. At the age of sixteen, he met his root-master Rigdzin Changchub Dorje, who introduced him to the authentic knowledge of Dzogchen.

In 1976, he began to give Dzogchen teachings and practice instructions in the West, first in Italy, and then in many other countries, too - including Greece. His exalted spiritual authority was rapidly recognized and he created several centers for the study of Dzogchen around the world. The principal ones are in Italy, the United States, Argentina, Venezuela, Australia, and Russia.

TEACHING SCHEDULE