DZOGCHEN TRANSLATION RAFFLE

The Shang Shung Institute (SSI) is an international organization that seeks to broaden the world’s understanding of traditional Tibetan culture. At this moment in history the preservation of this rich and exceptional culture is of utmost importance as it is in real danger of being lost. The SSI develops and maintains projects in various countries including: the translation, publication, and archiving of Tibetan texts; the organization and presentation of international cultural and educational events to share and preserve Tibetan heritage; and formal courses of study that train students in ancient Tibetan arts and sciences, including art, language, and traditional Tibetan medicine.

The Shang Shung Institute in Austria currently has two main projects: The “Ka-ter Translation Project,“ and the “Complete works of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu.”

Through these projects, the Shang Shung Institute guarantees a regular income for the three main translators of the Dzogchen Community, and the one full-time English editor (Nancy Simmons).  We also provide retirement funds for Elio Guarisco, Adriano Clemente and Jim Valby.

A quote from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu regarding our translation projects:

"If you want to understand Dzogchen, then you need the original books. In particular, if you want to teach and keep this transmission for the future, you must study and apply the original texts. It is not sufficient to follow a teacher and listen to what he says. Although this might be good for you and your realization if you practice, if you are a practitioner you must also think about tomorrow and about other people. In fact, we always say that we practice in order to benefit all beings. But how can we benefit them if we don't teach or preserve the Teachings for the future? This is why we need to know about the original Dzogchen books. This is very important."

The translation projects:

Ka-ter Translation Project

The goal of the Ka-ter Translation Project is to study and research the Tibetan language. This project includes a special training for translators from Tibetan, as well as an initiative to translate ancient Dzogchen texts into Western languages. The aim of this unique project is to guarantee correct and precise translations of Dzogchen texts so that future generations may have access to their unique wisdom. You can find a detailed description of this project here.

The Complete Works of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

The aim of this project is to make all of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s teachings in Tibetan available in Western Languages.  For many years Adriano Clemente has been working full-time translating Chögyal Namkhai Norbu's works.  For more information on this project please visit www.completeworks.info.

How to Donate:

SSI-Austria has organized the Dzogchen Translation Raffle (DTR) in order to raise funds for these two important translation projects. All proceeds from this raffle will be donated to these projects, and in return each donor will have the chance to win one of our fantastic prizes. There are only 100 tickets available and ten fantastic prizes, so the chances of winning are 1:10.

There is only one level in this raffle. Tickets cost 185 Euro or 250 US Dollars.

The prizes are:

1st prize:

Statue of Samantabhadra Yab Yum. Seated, excellently formed, fully gold plated. 16 inches or 40.5 cm high.

2nd prize:

Statue of Rigdzin Changchub Dorje, the master of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. Seated, fully gold plated. Height: 22 cm or 8.7 inches, Width: 16.5 cm or 6.4 inches.

3rd prize:

Statue of Adzam Drupga, former incarnation of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. Seated, fully gold plated. Height: 21.5 cm or 8.4 inches, Width: 16.5 cm or 6.4 inches.

4th prize:

Statue of Dorje Yudrönma, the Melong-Dakini riding on a snow-lion. Height: 31cm or 12.3 inches, Width: 28.6 cm or 11.2 inches.

5th prize:

Statue of Machig Labdron. Standing, fully gold plated. Height: 12.7 inches or 32cm, Width: 7.7 inches or 20cm.

6th prize:

Statue of Vajrapani. Standing, fully gold plated. Height: 27cm or 10.6 inches, Width: 24cm or 9.4 inches.

7th prize:

Statue of Jigmed Lingpa, one of the most famous Dzogchen masters, Yogi and tertön. Completely gold plated. Height: 22 cm or 8.7 inches, Width: 16.5 cm or 6.4 inches.

8th prize:

Statue of Yutog Gonpa , known as the "father of Tibetan Medicine Tantras." Fully gold plated. Height: 21.5 cm or 8.4 inches, Width: 17 cm or 6.3 inches.

9th prize:

Longsal Donation Package: Includes: The booklet “A Dream from the Display of the Moon in the Water.” This booklet is an excerpt from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s book of dreams. It has been printed exclusively for the “Complete Works of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu” project. We have only published 100 of these booklets, and each will be signed and numbered.  Also included in this package are a round silver Longsal symbol pendant, and a golden Vajra with antique gold plating, 8.6 cm long.

10th prize:

Santi Maha Sangha Donation Package: Includes: The book “The Precious Vase” by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, the “The Three Paths of Liberation - The Essence of the Base of Santi Maha Sangha” DVD set: Vol. I-III, the Santi Maha Sanga Base Level MP3 by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, the “Santi Maha Sangha: Preliminary Practices of the Base” CD, a round silver Longsal symbol pendant, and a golden Vajra with antique gold plating, 8.6 cm long.

Each prize will also include a crystal with an A inside.

You can see pictures of all the statues (1st  – 8th  prizes) on our webshop under the heading, “Buddhist Statues as a Gift for your Donation.”