Namkhai Norbu
Namkhai Norbu (1938–2018) was a Tibetan Dzogchen teacher and scholar of Tibetan culture who founded the international Dzogchen Community.
Changchub Dorje: A Tibetan Dzogchen master who taught Namkhai Norbu in eastern Tibet. Norbu identified him as his principal Dzogchen teacher and a source of direct instruction.
Dzogchen: A Tibetan Buddhist tradition centered on recognizing the mind’s original, naturally present awareness. It is the central contemplative tradition Norbu taught.
Tibetan Buddhism: The forms of Buddhism that developed in Tibet and neighboring Himalayan regions. Norbu taught within Tibetan Buddhist traditions, especially Dzogchen.
Yantra yoga: A Tibetan system of movement, breath, and meditation described in the Vairochana tradition. Norbu taught this practice internationally and presented it as a method for harmonizing body and mind.
Merigar West: A Dzogchen Community center established in Tuscany, Italy. Founded under Norbu’s guidance, it became a major center for teaching and retreat.
Chögyal Namkhai Norbu: An alternative spelling and honorific form of Namkhai Norbu’s name. This variant appears in publications and organizational materials about the same teacher.
Rigpa: In Dzogchen, the primordial awareness recognized as the nature of mind. Norbu’s instructions direct practitioners toward recognizing this awareness.
Bon: A Tibetan religious tradition with its own scriptures, rituals, and contemplative systems. Norbu also studied and wrote about Bon, including its Dzogchen teachings.
Khaita Joyful Dances: A collection of Tibetan songs and dances introduced by Namkhai Norbu. He developed these group dances to support cultural exchange and preserve Tibetan music.
Merigar East: A Dzogchen Community center in Romania’s Apuseni Mountains. It extended Norbu’s international network of practice centers into eastern Europe.