Our Inspiration

Chögyal Namkhai Norbu was born in Ge’u, in Derge County in 1938 and was recognized as the reincarnation of the great Dzogchen master Adzom Drugpa (1842-1924). As such, he underwent a rigorous traditional education, successfully completing his studies in philosophy and letters at an early age. In 1955 he met and received teachings from his principal master, Changchub Dorje (1863-1961). 

In 1959, when he was invited to Italy by the renowned Italian Tibetologist and Orientalist Giuseppe Tucci, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu was already noted as a scholar and spiritual master. Among other offers, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu chose to live in Italy, in particular due to his interest in the important library of Tibetan texts that the Italian scholar had collected over the years.

In 1962 he became professor of Tibetan language and literature at the University of Naples “l’Orientale,” where he continued teaching until 1992.

In 1971 he began teaching Yantra Yoga, and in 1976, on the request of students of various backgrounds and origins, he gave the first teachings on Dzogchen Atiyoga.

For more than 50 years he dedicated his life to introducing this ancient teaching, an authentic heritage of humanity, to thousands of people all over the world. 

In 1981 he inspired and contributed to the foundation of Merigar, the first center of the International Dzogchen Community. In the years that followed similar centers emerged in the USA, Latina America, Russia, Australia, China, and other European countries.

In 1983 he established Shang Shung Publications with the purpose of publishing the numerous volumes of his teachings and those of other masters belonging to the Tibetan traditions both Buddhist and non-Buddhists.

Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s commitment to the study of many aspects of Tibetan culture and to the conservation of Tibet’s spiritual and cultural heritage for the benefit of future generations was unfaltering. His contributions mainly concern the ancient history of Tibet; indigenous, pre-Buddhist traditions; the customs and costumes of nomads; the origin, theory, and practice of astrology; and Traditional Tibetan medicine.

In 1988  Chögyal Namkhai Norbu founded A.S.I.A (Association for International Solidarity in Asia), an NGO that works in Tibet, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Mongolia, and Sri Lanka, promoting partnership projects and long-distance adoption. 

In 1989 he founded the International Shang Shung Institute, to preserve and promote Tibetan culture, arts, language and sciences for future generations worldwide. Since then the School of Tibetan medicine, whose director since 2012 is the renewed Tibetan Doctor Phuntsog Wangmo, promotes conferences, courses around the world and regularly organises training programs for future practitioners of Tibetan medicine.

The Ka-Ter project, established in 2002, is dedicated to the translation of the works of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu as well as ancient Dzogchen texts.

In 1990  Chögyal Namkhai Norbu began to teach The Dance of The Vajra and starting in 2011 he also promoted Khaita joyful dances, a project devoted to the study, singing and dancing of traditional and modern Tibetan songs. Both the Dance of the Vajra and Khaita joyful dances have been recognized by UNESCO’s International Dance Council (CID)

The International Atiyoga Foundation, intended as an umbrella organization for all the entities affiliated with the Dzogchen Community, was founded in 2018.

Chögyal Namkhai Norbu received many awards and honours both in his homeland and abroad. One that deserves mention is the Commander Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy, conferred on him by President Sergio Mattarella in 2018.

Chögyal Namkhai Norbu passed away peacefully in his residence at Gadeling. Loc. Merigar, Italy on September 27, 2018