Merry Christmas for Dzogchen practitioners

[Igor Berkhin]

Dear Vajra family, Merry Christmas!

My Teacher Chogyal Namkhai Norbu was saying multiple times that Jesus Christ had been "an enlightened being" and "a great teacher" also saying that he had "sacrificed for the benefit of others".

We are Dzogchen practitioners, some of us are Buddhists, some of us are not, but we are all enjoying freedoms and opportunities developed by the Western civilization. Not only in the West itself, but also in some other countries which were greatly influenced by the West. One of the most meaningful values of the Western civilization is compassion, tolerance, and care for those who are weak, for those who are different in their faith, biology, or preferences. This value is not universal, there are many cultures where those who are different are still ostracized, penalized, and even executed. In many countries we would be imprisoned for our beliefs and our sacred books and images would be destroyed. Slavery is universal. Even in Buddhist Tibet there were slaves. But it was people inspired by Christian values who initiated abolishing the slavery. Where did this value of tolerance and compassion come from to the Western civilization? It didn't come from the Buddha, because Buddhadharma was not known in the West till relatively recent times. It came from the Gospel, from the message of Jesus of Nazareth maintained through barbaric and cruel times by many saints, ascetics, priests as well as by ordinary people inspired by the example of Jesus. Many things such as shelters, public hospitals, animal care etc. didn't come by themselves, they are not for granted, they are not found everywhere in the world. So we should clearly realize that numerous benefits of our life appeared through the wisdom of Jesus. So much of the beauty of human creations were inspired by Christianity: cathedrals, paintings, music. In the dark times this beauty was giving hope to those who were in despair. We do not have to be Christians to value that. But being Dzogchen practitioners we should realize who was the source and at least appreciate it not allowing multiple haters to erase this memory and this recognition. Cherishing an enlightened being can hurt feelings only of very evil people who we should not be afraid of. We should remember that the biggest haters of Christianity among Westerners were Communists like Lenin and Stalin and Nazis like Hitler, and so beware of those who want to erase Christianity now. We should feel compassion for them as well as for everyone else, but we should not be blind.

I'm writing it being in the village of Rosh Pina which means "a cornerstone" in Galilee, Israel, not far from Genezareth Lake where Jesus was preaching and walking on water, Jordan River where he was baptised, The City of Nazareth where he came from, and Mount Tabor where he reappeared in his glory after death. If we believe in the immaculate birth of Guru Garab Dorje and the Body of Light attained by him, why would we deny similar things about Jesus? Many times while living in an alien to me land of Israel I would feel lost and desperate, but visiting these sacred places I would feel much relief.

So, Merry Christmas, dear Vajra brothers and sisters! Not just "happy holidays", not "season greetings", but Merry Christmas!

As Chogyal Namkhai Norbu taught: "We enjoy! We are not ashamed of anything!"

With love,
Igor Berkhin

P.S. I sent the same message to Norbunet. Let's see if it passes the moderation.)))