Santi Maha Sangha is a course of study and practice in ten levels that was started by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in 1994. The aim of Santi Maha Sangha, which in the ancient language of Oddiyana means ‘Dzogchen Commmunity’, is to guarantee the continuation of the Dzogchen teaching as it was originally transmitted by Garab Dorje.
After the ‘Base’ level, whose contents are presented in The Precious Vase, there are three levels dedicated to Semde, three to Longde and the final three to Mennagde or Upadesha. Studying the ‘Santi Maha Sangha’ books, which constitute the quintessence of the Dzogchen teachings as compiled with great care by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu over many years from original Dzogchen texts, thus enables us to deepen our understanding of Dzogchen in all its aspects.
The Santi Maha Sangha Teacher Training is aimed at those students with an aptitude for teaching in the future. However, the Base Level training is open, and indeed recommended to all individuals who are interested in deepening their knowledge of the Dzogchen teachings. Some students are already accredited teachers of the Base and First Level training.