At Merigar West, Tuscany, Italy
The Temple of the Great Contemplation at Merigar West was completely filled with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s students, young and old, from far and wide, for the weekend of September 25-27, gathered to commemorate his passing from this world eight years ago. A clear blue sky, bright sun and fresh clear mountain air welcomed and refreshed those coming from the city and more stifling climates.
On Friday evening and Saturday morning, people gathered in the Gönpa to practice Guruyoga together while on Saturday evening a Ganapuja was held there which included authentication of the Namkhas and finally a moving Invocation of the Lamp calling for the Master and brothers and sisters to never separate until achieving enlightenment in a single group.
The highlight of the weekend of practice and memories were the teachings given by Namkhai Yeshi, in memory of his father Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, on Sunday morning in the Merigar Gönpa and simultaneously broadcast in webcast around the world. Namkhai Yeshi reminded those present that September 27th was a special day to remember the person of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu who founded the Dzogchen Community and everything that is related to the Community.
In the afternoon the doors of the MACO, the Museum of Oriental Art and Culture situated in the Aldobrandescan castle in the heart of the old town of Arcidosso, opened to welcome numerous visitors to the inauguration of Arté, a site-specific exhibition by Namkhai Yeshi to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the museum. Namkhai Yeshi was present at the exhibition to explain and answer visitors’ questions about the display.
In the castle square outside the MACO visitors could enjoy a glass of wine as well as culinary delights of freshly made pizza and delicate Tibetan momo dumplings, further combining the two cultures of Italy and Tibet.
At 7pm, as the cool autumn evening approached, people walked along the main street of Arcidosso to arrive at Via Tibet which had received its name in 2016 in the presence of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. The mayor of Arcidosso, Jacopo Marini, and the president of the Region of Tuscany, Eugenio Giani, both spoke briefly about the importance of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and his activities for the area both spiritually and culturally, and renamed the street Via Maestro Norbu in honor of our beloved Teacher.
The evening concluded in Via Maestro Norbu under a star-filled night sky with a concert of electronic music presented by Namkhai Yeshi, assisted by his daughter Matilde, and Alessandro Di Maio who both presented their new albums dedicated to the memory of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu – “27” by Namkhai Yeshi and “Sounds from the Bardo” by Alessandro Di Maio.
You can watch the video of the concert: https://www.youtube.com/live/7OjoPpTt0Do
Featured image of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu by Peter Ehrenberger
Photos of Via Maestro Norbu and the concert with Namkhai Yeshi & Alessandro Di Maio by Gonpo
