The aim of the International Shang Shung Institute is to deepen the knowledge and the understanding of Tibetan cultural tradition in its religious, historical, philosophical, artistic, medical, and social aspects in order to contribute to the survival and preservation of this ancient culture.

1. THE SHANG SHUNG INSTITUTE The International Shang Shung Institute was founded by ChögyalNamkhaiNorbu in 1989 and inaugurated by H.H. XIV Dalai Lama in 1990. The aim of the International Shang Shung Institute is to deepen the knowledge and the understanding of Tibetan cultural tradition in its religious, historical, philosophical, artistic, medical, and social aspects in order to contribute to the survival and preservation of this ancient culture. Aware of the risk of losing the precious heritage that Tibetan culture represents, the Shang Shung Institute focuses on initiatives that are aimed at diffusing information about Tibetan culture, thus helping to ensure its survival.

2. ONE INSTITUTE WORLDWIDE The International Shang Shung Institute is a worldwide organization with three main centers of operation in Italy, Austria, and the USA, and three secondary branches in Argentina, the United Kingdom, and Russia.

3. TheStructure of the ShangShung Institute ChögyalNamkhaiNorbu is the president of the Shang Shung Institute, with the prerogative to accept or reject suggested projects and initiatives. The International Board of Directorsdecides routinely on all international projects and activities. Each main branch has the right to nominate one director as a member of this board. The permanent director in charge of the copyright of all works in any media by and pertaining to ChögyalNamkhaiNorbu, including his image, is YuchenNamkhai.

4. THE SHANG SHUNG INSTITUTE and THE DZOGCHEN COMMUNITY The Shang Shung Institute and the Dzogchen Community are the two blossoms of a beautiful plant with the same root. That root is the understanding of the supreme Teachings of Dzogchen, transmitted by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu.

7. Practice materials for practitioners

8. Membership registry management

9. IT and multimedia support

10. Promotional materials (flyers/books/audio-video for members)‏ ShangShungEditions

11. MAJOR PROJECTS IN PROGRESS TIBETAN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE PRODUCTION OF TIBETAN MEDICINE ACCORDING TO WESTERN STANDARDS KA-TER TRANSLATION PROJECT COMPLETE WORKS OF CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU SHANG SHUNG EDITIONS TASHI PEDEB PROJECT ARCHIVES ONLINE PHOTO ARCHIVE DIGITAL ARCHIVE TIBETAN MUSEUM PROJECT SHANG SHUNG INSTITUTE FOR TIBETAN STUDIES IN LONDON Tashi – Happiness Calligraphy by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

12. PROJECTS IN PROGRESS TIBETAN MEDICAL SCHOOL AIM: To offer the possibility for study and application of the precious Tibetan medical system. LOCATION: Shang Shung Institute in the USA and in Italy DESCRIPTION: A four-year study course is offered at the Institute in the USA as well as courses and seminars in other countries (Italy, Russia, Spain, France). NOTES: Courses and seminars in traditional Tibetan Ku Nye and Moxabustion are also available.

13. PROJECTS IN PROGRESS PRODUCTION OF TIBETAN MEDICINE ACCORDING TO WESTERN STANDARDS AIM: To market traditional Tibetan medicines made according to western standards LOCATION: Shang Shung Institute Austria DESCRIPTION: Tibetan herbal remedies produced in Austria using original ingredients imported from Tibet. COLLABORATORS: Dr. Doskar, Vienna NOTES: We will begin with the production of five medicines.

14. PROJECTS IN PROGRESS KA-TER TRANSLATION PROJECT AIM: To translate unique Tibetan texts into English and to aid student translators to qualify as experts in this field through special training programs. LOCATION: Shang Shung Institute Italy and Austria DESCRIPTION:To print precise and correct translations by skilled professionals of DzogchenTantrasand books of ChögyalNamkhaiNorbu. COLLABORATORS: ElioGuarisco, Adriano Clemente, Jim Valby, FabianSanders, Nancy Simmons. NOTES: We offer Tibetan language courses for the interested public.

15. PROJECTS IN PROGRESS COMPLETE WORKS OF CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU AIM: To translate the Teachings, in particular the Longsal Teachings, from Tibetan into English. LOCATION: Shang Shung Institute Italy and Austria DESCRIPTION:To print precise translations of the Longsal Teachings, eight volumes of which have already been published, and all other Teachings of ChögyalNamkhaiNorbu. COLLABORATOR:Adriano Clemente

16. PROJECTS IN PROGRESS SHANG SHUNG INSTITUTE OF TIBETAN STUDIES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AIM: To promote the wealth of Tibetan Studies on an academic level to a wider audience. LOCATION: London DESCRIPTION: Unique aspects of Tibetan culture will be offered in five faculties: Faculty of Fine Arts, Faculty of Tibetan Medicine, Faculty of Language and Poetry, Faculty of Logic, and Faculty of Inner Meaning. COLLABORATORS: An SSI London team and scholars from various universities. NOTES: The courses offered will be available to all interested people.

17. PROJECTS IN PROGRESS SHANG SHUNG INSTITUTE IN RUSSIA AIM: To promote Tibetan cultural events and courses and SSI projects/fundraising/membership; To diffuse Dzogchen Teachings and materials among Dzogchen Community members; To facilitate and encourage translations in the Russian language. LOCATION: Moscow DESCRIPTION: A subsidiary branch, under the tutelage of SSI Italy and Austria, with a three person initial staff. NOTES: The areas of activity are the Russian speaking countries.

18. PROJECTS IN PROGRESS TASHI PEDEB PROJECT AIM: To publish books of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in Spanish LOCATION: Tashigar Sur, Argentina DESCRIPTION:Tashi Pedeb, in collaboration with Shang Shung Editions, a branch of SSI, is working to translate and publish books in the Spanish language and to have an efficient distribution system in South America. COLLABORATORS: Dzogchen Communityof Tashigar Sur NOTES: Collaboration and support for this project is welcome and necessary.

19. PROJECTS IN PROGRESS DIGITAL ARCHIVE AIM: The preservation of Rinpoche'sTeachings and documents related to Tibetan culture for future generations, through the maintenance of a technologically advanced digital archive. LOCATION: Shang Shung Institute Italy DESCRIPTION: The project includes digitization of the audio/video/texts/photos of Rinpoche's Teachings, the indexing of contents, and storage in digitized form. In 2007 the previous audio archive was digitized (about 2000 hours). In 2008 we began transferring and indexing the video material. COLLABORATORS: Merigar West NOTES: The current archive size is 24 Terabytes (net space); to digitize the video archive we need a 50 Terabyte capacity.

20. PROJECTS IN PROGRESS/PLANNED ONLINE PHOTO ARCHIVE AIM: To collect, preserve and protectimages of ChögyalNamkhaiNorbu. LOCATION: Shang Shung Institute Italy DESCRIPTION: All practitioners will be able to place their personal photos of ChögyalNamkhaiNorbu and of the Dzogchen Community on our server; members will have access to these photos. COLLABORATORS: Worldwide DzogchenCommunity, Meridian Trust NOTES: We need the collaboration ofDzogchen Community membersin order to create a complete photo archive.

21. PROJECTS IN PROGRESS/PLANNED TIBETAN MUSEUM PROJECT AIM: The diffusion of knowledge about Tibetan culture through fine arts and traditional handicraft exhibitions. LOCATION: Shang Shung Institute Italy and Austria DESCRIPTION: The project will create a museum in Arcidosso (Italy) connected with other important museums of Tibetan culture worldwide. Expositions and workshopscentered on Tibetan traditions and mores will be offered. COLLABORATORS: Community of Arcidosso,Harrer Museum in Hüttenberg, Austria NOTES: A future collaboration with museums in other cities and countries is planned.

22. PROJECTS IN PROGRESS “TIBET DAY” PROJECT AIM: To make available the treasure-house of Tibetan culture to a larger audience. LOCATION: Shang Shung Institute Austria and Italy DESCRIPTION: A festivalcelebratingthe wide range of Tibetan culture and the work of the SSI for the preservation of this culture in the West. COLLABORATORS: Community of Arcidosso,Tibetan Community of Austria, HarrerMuseum in Hüttenberg, Austria NOTES: This event can be offered in other places and is also helpful for the development of the Dzogchen Community.

23. JOIN US IN PRESERVING TIBETAN CULTURE! You can join the projects of the Shang ShungInstitute to preserve Tibetan culture through your collaboration based on your: Membership Purchasing SSI products and attending courses Donations Karmayoga Creating contacts/opportunities/disseminating information New ideas Any help, even the smallest, is precious and important! Every initiative of the Shang Shung Institute is supported exclusively by donation. We are able to conduct numerous activities and fulfill our mission thanks to the generosity of many interested persons. We take this occasion to thank you all for your support.

24. For more information on the various activities and initiatives of the International Shang Shung Institute, please visit our websites: www.shangshunginstitute.org www.ssi-austria.at www.shangshung.org www.shangshunguk.org