The Community or Sangha counts among its members all those who are interested in the Dzogchen teachings and is seen as a place where one has the opportunity to collaborate in the perspective of a common spiritual enrichment and meet people who share the same path towards knowledge.

There are disciples and followers of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in many places around the world. According to Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s vision, the various regional centers ("Gars") and local communities ("Lings") of the International Dzogchen Community make up one great mandala or network that links different geographical areas of the world and to which Dzogchen practitioners can refer as places for study and practice.

In Tibet, nomadic camps, such as those set up in the summer for teachings, are called "gar". The local communities or Lings respectively are each assigned to a Gar. Zhiwaling, for example, is assigned to Merigar West.

» List of instutions, Gars and local communities (Lings)