The Temple of the Great Contemplation at Merigar, Arcidosso, Italy, conceived and designed by Master Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, was inaugurated on May 29, 1990.
Today, thirty years after that event, we would like to offer you some reflections by Dr. Fabian Sanders, expert in oriental cultures and languages, on the art, symbols and some doctrinal aspects of this temple.
The Temple of the Great Contemplation is simply called “the Gönpa” by all, a Tibetan term that etymologically means “a secluded silent place”, since it is good that this environment is so for those who wish to dedicate themselves to contemplation. Over the years, Merigar’s Gönpa has hosted numerous teachings by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and many other teachers. It is also the place where seminars, courses, and conferences are held and where members meet to practice together.
You can find a detailed description of the Gönpa, its symbols, mantras, and decorations in the The Temple of Great Contemplation published by Shang Shung Publications.
‘Library Talks’ is an initiative of the Merigar Library. This library was created from the need to house the texts that Chögyal Namkhai Norbu brought with him from Tibet and the works that gradually became necessary for his studies. To date it has more than twelve thousand texts and magazines, of which more than half are in the Tibetan language. Since 2018, we have organized a series of cultural and knowledge-sharing meetings that have made up the Library Talks events.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic we have had to suspend these Talks, however, we want to offer an online version of them consisting of short stories, readings and related reflections, such as the Library, Buddhism, Tibet and the East in general. This video is part of that series.
