There are a number of questions being raised by changes to the membership system this year, as the International Dzogchen Community becomes an established reality. We hope to answer most questions here in one place, rather than answering on an individual basis. Please do let us know if anything is still not clear!
Why have a membership system at all?
- Becoming a member of the International Dzogchen Community and its Lings and Gars is a concrete way of showing that we understand the importance of the Dzogchen Teachings and wish to help provide the human and financial resources needed to make the teachings available in our society
Why no reduced membership anymore?
- The idea is to make ordinary membership affordable for almost everyone, especially if paid by intalments; the price for ordinary membership is set by the Gar according to the economic conditions in its own region.
- Retreats with Rinpoche are now largely by sponsorship and donation, so it is no longer necessary to have benefits on these.
- Gars and Lings are free to give discounts on other events and courses as in the past.
- So there should be no need to have a category of reduced membership fee.
- No one should have to cease being a member out of financial necessity – there is always a possibility for sponsorship of membership, or by special arrangement with the Gar or Ling
How should I renew my membership this year?
- Everyone should join the Dzogchen Community or renew their membership at their nearest place – a Ling if there is one, otherwise at the nearest Gar
- When you join the Dzogchen Community or renew your membership through a Ling or through a Gar, you will also automatically become a member of the International Dzogchen Community.
- When you join the Dzogchen Community through a Ling, you will also automatically become a member of its Gar as well as of the International Dzogchen Community
What is the difference between Global and Local membership?
- Global membership means the fee is set by the International Gakyil, and the benefits are available in all Gars and Lings around the world. The fee is the same wherever you take this kind of membership
- Local membership means the fee is set by the local Gar according to its own economic conditions, and the benefits are only available locally
- These are both kinds of membership of your own Ling and Gar as well as the IDC. Everyone with any kind of membership is also a member of the International Dzogchen Community
Who gets the membership fee?
- If you belong to a Ling, the Ling will (in general) keep 45-50% of the total global and local membership fees. (This percentage range is set by the International Gakyil in consultation with the Gakyils of the Gars and Lings and can only be varied by special mutual agreement between a Gar and its Ling). The Gar will receive 35-40% of the total fees fee and the IDC will receive 15% of the total fees.
- If you belong only to a Gar and the IDC, the Gar will receive 85% of the total global and local fees and the IDC will receive 15%.
What is the Welcome Card?
- There is a separate article explaining the Welcome Card in detail. In brief, holding a Welcome Card for three years allows time to follow, study and practice the Dzogchen teachings of Chogyal Namkhai Norbu before deciding to make the commitment of membership or not.
What are the benefits of membership?
- Each Gar will publish its list of benefits for different membership and Welcome Card holder levels of payment
- All members and Welcome Card holders of any kind have access to closed Webcasts and webcast replays
- The main benefit is that you are contributing to the continuation of the teachings for the benefit of all beings.
