Khandroling Paper Cooperative represents a group of independent artists dedicated to making handmade papers using recycled sacred texts and old Mirror* newspapers that include plant inclusions from the sacred retreat land of Khandroling founded by the Dzogchen Tibetan Master Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in Buckland, MA. Inspired by his teachings on collaboration, we formed the paper cooperative as a place to flourish personally through aristitic expression as well as develop sustainable livlihood possibilities for ourseves and our community. To learn more about his community, visit the Tsegyalgar East website and our community blog.
Traditionally in Tibet, sacred texts are burned. Our purpose here is to create beautiful natural papers which, upon contact, may create a positive cause or connection to the profound Dzogchen Teachings.
What is Dzogchen?
Dzogchen is an ancient spiritual teaching developed in Tibet within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. It does not belong to a school or religious system. Rather, it is the knowledge that Tibetan masters have transmitted without being limited by sectarianism. The word 'Dzogchen', meaning 'total perfection', actually refers to the true inherent nature of all beings, their primordial state, which is free from all limitations and conditioning. The master's transmission of this state of knowledge lies at the very heart of the Dzogchen teachings. The Dzogchen tradition has been passed from master to student in an unbroken lineage over the centuries, right up to the present day. Due to its direct and unelaborate approach, it transcends cultural boundaries making it accessible to all nationalities regardless of their spiritual background. - Chögyal Namkhai Norbu
[Photo by Paula Barry of Chogyal Namkhai Norbu singing in his house at Lower Khandroling]
