Buddhist Studies Institute

The Black Wrathful Dakini’s Secret Tantra

With Lama Pema Khandro, Ph.D.

Online: October 6-8th, 2023

9am -12pm San Francisco PDT

12pm – 3pm New York EDT

11am – 2pm Sydney AEDT

Tantra and Dzogchen with their themes of transformation and being exactly we as are can sometimes seem contradictory. Yet they represent two profound paths to contemplative realization that have always been practiced together in some form. And both represent crucial aspects of the path.

This retreat focuses on a rare early Dzogchen text called the Black Wrathful Dakini’s Secret Tantra. In striking contemplative poetry, it unites the themes of Tantra and Dzogchen through contemplations of fierce compassion and primordial knowing. This is an essential text to study for those who follow Chod, the esoteric Tibetan meditations for cutting through fear. It explains and presents the meaning of the Black Wrathful Dakini and explains all aspects of ultimate reality from a non-dual perspective. This important scripture is part of the collection of the seventeen tantras, the early Dzogchen texts that were the major source of the Dzogchen Nyingthig tradition.

This sacred text unites Tantra and Dzogchen in a single stream of contemplative vision of ultimate reality as understood through the Dakini principle.

This three-day retreat focuses on the study of excerpts from the scripture, the practice of the Troma Nagmo cycle from the Rinchen Trengwa three Dakini Chod, meditation, and dharma conversation. This is part one in a series that will explore this profound scripture with Pema Khandro, whose scholarly research focuses on early Dzogchen. 

The Bardo Retreat

Buddhist Practices for Death & Dying

Online: November 3-5, 2023

5pm – 7pm San Francisco PDT
8pm – 10pm New York EDT
11am – 1pm Sydney AEDT

Bardo refers to the experience of rupture- of endings and uncertainty – that leaves us suspended in the liminal spaces between what was and what will be. Bardo also refers to dying and post-death periods as well as to states of radical transformation in life. Join Dr. Pema Khandro, scholar and teacher of Tibetan Buddhism and Lama Lhanang Rinpoche for an intensive course focused on the profound wisdom and skillful means presented by the Buddhist philosophy of death, bardo, and rebirth.

Save the Dates
Meditation Instuctor Training 2024

February 19 – August 5

3 Modules

Traditional Meditation

Teaching Practicum

Teaching Ethics

Pema Khandro on Buddhist Women –

One Nun’s Hardship & Beauty:

The Story of Gelongma Palmo 

(Tib. dGe slong ma dPal mo)

“One of the key themes of Buddhist life stories is that our experiences are not only made up of circumstances, but also of our reaction to those circumstances. Whatever happens externally may not be in our control, but we have a choice about the meanings we take from them and where we go from here. This is a Buddhist viewpoint made apparent by the radical story of Gelongma Palmo, who faced extreme hardship, yet is subsequently transformed and liberated through the experience.” ~ Pema Khandro

2023 Schedule of Events

ONGOING MONTHLY TRAINING

Daily Meditation Online
Vajrayana Training – 1st & 2nd Wednesday of each month
Ngakpa Training – 3rd Wednesday of each month

OCTOBER

October 6-8 The Black Wrathful Dakini’s Secret Tantra: Online Retreat with Pema Khandro

NOVEMBER
November 3-5  Death, Dying and Rebirth: Bardo Teachings with Lama Pema Khandro and Lama Lhanang Rinpoche

2024

February 19 – August 5, 2024 Meditation Instructor Training

Click Here to view the BSI Calendar View
*All Times are noted in Pacific Time (PT) – Check your Timezone

Buddhist Studies Institute

The Black Wrathful Dakini’s Secret Tantra

With Lama Pema Khandro, Ph.D.

October 6-8th, 2023

Online

9:00am-12:00pm PST

12:00pm -3:00pm EST

5:00pm-8:00pm BST

Tantra and Dzogchen with their themes of transformation and being exactly we as are can sometimes seem contradictory. Yet they represent two profound paths to contemplative realization that have always been practiced together in some form. And both represent crucial aspects of the path.

This retreat focuses on a rare early Dzogchen text called the Black Wrathful Dakini’s Secret Tantra. In striking contemplative poetry, it unites the themes  of Tantra and Dzogchen through contemplations of fierce compassion and primordial knowing. This is an essential text to study for those who follow Chod, the esoteric Tibetan meditations for cutting through fear. It explains and presents the meaning of the Black Wrathful Dakini and explains all aspects of ultimate reality from a non-dual perspective. This important scripture is part of the collection of the seventeen tantras, the early Dzogchen texts that were the major source of the Dzogchen Nyingthig tradition.

This sacred text unites Tantra and Dzogchen in a single stream of contemplative vision of ultimate reality as understood through the Dakini principle.

This three day retreat focuses on the study of excerpts from the scripture, the practice of the Troma Nagmo cycle from the Rinchen Trengwa three Dakini Chod, meditation and dharma conversation. This is part one in a series that will explore this profound scripture with Pema Khandro, whose scholarly research focuses on early Dzogchen. 

Ngondro Module 4: 

Intrinsic Wisdom

Aug 21-Oct 16

Online

5pm PT | 8pm ET

Whether Starting New, Catching Up, Continuing or Starting Over, 

You are Welcome to Join Now!

It is possible to join Ngondro Training at any time and it can be taken in any order. Join current modules live and take previous modules at your own pace. This module focuses on Intrinsic Wisdom including Receiving the Four Empowerments and Merging into Buddhahood.

Pema Khandro on Buddhist Women
Nangsa Obum: The Story of A Survivor

This is a brief summary of the legend of Nangsa Obum who overcome a lot to live a life devoted to liberation of her self and others. It is a story of a woman overcoming extreme resistance to her spiritual pursuits.

Death, Dying, and Rebirth

With Lama Pema Khandro, Ph.D, and Lama Lhanang Rinpoche

November 3-5, 2023

Online

5-7 PM PST
8-10 PM PST
11AM-1PM Melbourne (one day ahead)

The profound and inevitable encounter with death has been a subject addressed by great Buddhist philosophers for the last two thousand years. The pinnacle of those teachings were presented in the sacred books that came to be known as the Tibetan Book of the Dead, which was part of a larger tradition of Great Perfection (Dzogchen) manuscripts that addressed the bardos, the phases of change in a life. Those complete teachings describe the phases of change, dissolution, and rebirth. They identify the stages of dying, practices to extend the life force when possible, and practices to die well when possible. They also describe how to help others in their process of departure from a life.

This weekend course, hosted by Pema Khandro investigates these moving and precious death, bardo, and rebirth teachings as taught by scholars, and Lamas of the Tibetan tradition. In a format of unprecedented accessibility, this series features self-paced and live classes with Pema Khandro, Lamas, and scholars of Tibetan Buddhism, as well as a Buddhist funeral ceremony to honor beloved friends and family who have recently passed away.

The course also includes a self-paced course on Buddhist funerary practice, to learn how to help loved ones who have died in the forty-nine day period as they travel from one life to the next. The oral transmission initiation (lung) will be given by Pema Khandro on the third day of the course.

2023 Schedule of Events

ONGOING MONTHLY TRAINING

Daily Meditation Online
Vajrayana Training – 1st & 2nd Wednesday of each month
Ngakpa Training – 3rd Wednesday of each month

OCTOBER

October 6-8 The Black Wrathful Dakini’s Secret Tantra: Online Retreat with Pema Khandro

NOVEMBER
November 3-5  Death, Dying and Rebirth: Bardo Teachings with Lama Pema Khandro and Lama Lhanang Rinpoche

2024

February 19 – August 5, 2024 Meditation Instructor Training

Click Here to view the BSI Calendar View
*All Times are noted in Pacific Time (PT) – Check your Timezone

Buddhist Studies Institute

Finding Rest & Ease in the Nature of Mind: 

Longchenpa’s Guide with Pema Khandro
September 8-10th 2023

Online

8:00am-12:30pm PST San Francisco

11:00pm -3:30pm EST New York

4:00pm-8:30pm BST London

Why online Buddhist Study?

This retreat is led entirely online.

We believe that online dharma study provides access for in depth practice for those who might not otherwise ever be able to access it. Caregivers, parents, people who live far away, people with differently abled bodies, people engaged in demanding careers, those who are unable to learn another language and travel to Asia… there are so many who long for serious engagement with Buddhist teachings who need access to the highest quality study and practice. As the Buddha taught in the 84,000 languages of the 84,000 types of beings, so to does the dharma continue to be shared in limitless ways for those who have pure motivation. Guided by Lamas, Khenpos, Scholars from East and West, let your journey be supported by experts. And, you don’t have to do it alone. Experience the life-changing experience of dharma study within a beautiful community of international dharma friends!

Encounter the profound instructions of the trilogy of comfort and ease, the exposition on the stages of the journey by one of the great Tibetan philosophers, Longchenpa (1308-1364). This is a text that is taught annually in Nyingma schools around the world because of its comprehensive engagement with all the stages of the path.

These beautiful teachings consider the fundamental ease available in the depths of being, and how to access those states. It is often difficult to access rigorous engagement with Buddhist intellectual traditions. The Buddhist Studies Institute offers groundbreaking efforts to make that study available.

This online retreat will offer the opportunity to study the core writings of one of the most venerated and brilliant Buddhist philosophers of Tibet, Longchenpa. In classes you will read passages in Tibetan and translated English and enjoy the rich commentary and interpretation by Dzogchen scholar, Lama and lineage holder, Dr. Pema Khandro.

Yes, you can also receive expertly guided yoga classes too. Sitting can be hard without physical preparation, and this retreat comes with help and support! Deep rest is the best preparation for class, enjoy restorative yoga in the morning led by Buddhist Studies Institute Faculty.

Other parts of the retreat includes:

• Feeling the support of group practice

• Enjoy dharma conversations, fostering community through small group discussions

• Experiencing guided meditation sessions led by Pema Khandro

• Delving into Buddhist philosophy anchored in rigorous engagement with classical Buddhist texts; enjoying daily lectures given by Dr. Khandro

• Exploring Buddhist Philosophy

• Remembering the profound teachings that unravel it all at the root

• Exploring reality, enjoying question and answer sessions with Dr. Khandro

• Signing up for one-to-one meetings at the end of the retreat with the Lama

• Bringing the dharma home to you; engaging in in-depth training from your own home, an unprecedented accessibility to traditional Buddhist training

Pema Khandro will lead practices from the 27 Practices for Training for Dzogchen Meditation from the sems nyid ngal gso, Longchenpa’s instructions on Finding Comfort and Ease in the Nature of Mind. A system venerated for its power to awaken the primordial knowing beyond illusions, these practices provide an opening to the authentic nature of innate wakefulness.

Pre-requisites

Previous meditation experience and a history of meditation practice is necessary to fully appreciate and engage in the practices taught in this retreat, but this class is offered with open enrollment. Recommended prerequisites are: completed Ngondro training, are currently enrolled in Ngondro training or have completed Ngondro in any lineage.

The Black Wrathful Dakini’s Secret Tantra

With Lama Pema Khandro, Ph.D.

October 6-8th, 2023

Online

9:00am-12:00pm PST

12:00pm -3:00pm EST

5:00pm-8:00pm BST

Enter the vast view of Tibetan Great Perfection, with its contemplative cultivation of innate wakefulness and poetic evocations of sublime knowing. These teachings redefine how we understand meditation through unpacking how non-duality expands us beyond our conceptual frameworks. Join Lama Pema Khandro, Ph.D. in a deep study and meditation immersion online.

2023 Schedule of Events

ONGOING MONTHLY TRAINING

Daily Meditation Online
Vajrayana Training – 1st & 2nd Wednesday of each month
Ngakpa Training – 3rd Wednesday of each month

SEPTEMBER

Sept 8-10 Finding Rest and Ease in the Nature of Mind: Online Retreat with Pema Khandro

OCTOBER

October 6-8 The Black Wrathful Dakini’s Secret Tantra: Online Retreat with Pema Khandro

2024

February 19 – August 5, 2024 Meditation Instructor Training

Click Here to view the BSI Calendar View
*All Times are noted in Pacific Time (PT) – Check your Timezone

Buddhist Studies Institute

Finding Rest & Ease in the Nature of Mind: 

Longchenpa’s Guide to Dzogchen with Pema Khandro

September 8-10th 2023

Online

8:00am-12:30pm PST

11:00pm -3:30pm EST

4:00pm-8:30pm BST

Unplug. Disconnect.

Take space for inner silence.

Enjoy the soothing sound of chanting meditation.

Enjoy deep dharma study.

Encounter the profound instructions of the trilogy of comfort and ease, the exposition on the stages of the journey by one of the great Tibetan philosopher, Longchenpa (1308-1364).

These beautiful teachings consider the fundamental ease available in the depths of being, and how to access those states. It is often difficult to access rigorous engagement with Buddhist intellectual traditions. The Buddhist Studies Institute offers groundbreaking efforts to make that study available. The Dzogchen Retreat online will offer the opportunity to study the core writings of one of the most venerated and brilliant Buddhist philosophers of Tibet, Longchenpa (1308-1364). In classes you will read passages in Tibetan and translated English and enjoy the rich commentary and interpretation by Dzogchen scholar, Lama and lineage holder, Dr. Pema Khandro.

This is a continuation of an annual study of this precious text that is central to esoteric Buddhist meditation.

This retreat is led entirely online. Prepare a serene space to watch the classes, and be ready to show up on camera for practice sessions with an international community.

Yoga Classes

Rest your body and mind! Enjoy restorative yoga each morning led by Buddhist Studies Institute faculty, this is an optional class for retreat participants, focused on deep relaxation and support of the body.

Other parts of the retreat include:

• Feeling the support of group practice

• Enjoying dharma conversations, fostering community through small group discussions

• Experiencing Dzogchen guided meditation sessions led by Pema Khandro

• Delving into Buddhist philosophy anchored in rigorous engagement with classical Buddhist texts; enjoying daily lectures given by Dr. Khandro

• Engaging with Buddhist Philosophy

• Remembering the profound teachings that unravel it all at the root

• Exploring reality, enjoying question and answer sessions with Dr. Khandro

• Sign up for one-to-one meetings at the end of the retreat with the Lama

• Bringing the dharma home to you; engaging in in-depth training from your own home, an unprecedented accessibility to traditional Buddhist training

Pema Khandro will lead practices from the 27 Practices for Training for Dzogchen Meditation from the sems nyid ngal gso, Longchenpa’s instructions on Finding Comfort and Ease in the Nature of Mind. A system venerated for its power to awaken the primordial knowing beyond illusions, these practices provide an opening to the authentic nature of innate wakefulness.

Pre-requisites

Recommended prerequisites are: completed Ngondro training, are currently enrolled in Ngondro training or have completed Ngondro in any lineage. Previous meditation experience and a history of meditation practice is necessary to fully appreciate and engage in the practices taught in this retreat, but this class is offered with open enrollment.

“The Great Garuda states:

Abandon desire for bliss, for this harms the mind;
rely on resting naturally,
free of anything needing to be done regarding samsara or nirvana.

As for the magical display of mind and apparent phenomena,

‘This is self,’ ’This is other,” which are the hindrances of mental stirring,

are dispelled along with perceiving, thinking, and fixating,
so there is imperturbable rest
that defies all attempts at verbal expression.

The implications of whatever manifests

as the miraculous display of ordinary, conceptual mind

can be discerned within the ‘interval,’ free of characterization,

between conceptual mind and the objects that constitute its function.

– Longchenpa, Precious Treasury of the Way of Abiding

The Black Wrathful Dakini’s Secret Tantra

With Lama Pema Khandro, Ph.D.

October 6-8th, 2023

Online

9:00am-12:00pm PST

12:00pm -3:00pm EST

5:00pm-8:00pm BST

This is a rare opportunity to study excerpts from the Troma text held within the original Dzogchen tantras known as the seventeen tantras, the Dakini’s Secret Tantra.

About Troma Nagmo
Underlying Tibetan Buddhist Chod meditation is the practice of Troma Nagmo, the black, wrathful dakini. In the Dakini’s Secret Tantra, Troma Nagmo’s meaning and practice is explained in terms of the ultimate view of reality. It explores how to cut through limited concepts to experience expansive freedom, but without spiritual bypassing. Thus it explores the line been the vast views of intrinsic wisdom, and the practicality of working with dualistic experience.

Join Lama Pema Khandro, Ph.D. for three days of deep dharma study, Chod meditation, and dharma conversation.

Pema Khandro on Buddha Nature

“At the core of what we are is Buddha-nature…Buddha-mind… a wakeful presence already complete, pure, good and fully and completely enlightened.” Pema Khandro

Pema Khandro discusses Buddha-nature and the third of the major Buddhist teachings known as the third turning of the wheel of the dharma.

2023 Schedule of Events

ONGOING MONTHLY TRAINING

Daily Meditation Online
Vajrayana Training – 1st & 2nd Wednesday of each month
Ngakpa Training – 3rd Wednesday of each month

SEPTEMBER

Sept 8-10 Finding Rest and Ease in the Nature of Mind: Online Retreat with Pema Khandro

OCTOBER

October 6-8 The Black Wrathful Dakini’s Secret Tantra: Online Retreat with Pema Khandro

2024

February 19 – August 5, 2024 Meditation Instructor Training

Click Here to view the BSI Calendar View
*All Times are noted in Pacific Time (PT) – Check your Timezone

Buddhist Studies Institute

Letter from Pema Khandro

Dear Dharma Friends,

I remember one morning listening to a dharma teaching in Tibet. It was an out of the way temple hidden in the mountains. Hundreds of people had finished a ngondro retreat together. There were yogis everywhere, not just men like in a monastery, but entire families, all practicing together as ngakpas, yogis who balance spiritual training with family life. At the end of the session a Tibetan woman sang a song, her voice was loud and clear, loud like opera but ringing out in a clear way like a bell. This wasn’t the teaching, the program was officially over. But it was a stunning moment none-the-less, one where we were all quiet together, listening to this emotional song of longing and redemption.

I was squeezed in between people. On my right, a person sat on part of my leg. On my left, my leg was stacked over someone’s foot. The person behind me was sitting on my skirt and I was afraid that if I stood up that it would get pulled down. It was not that comfortable and really the whole week had been so rustic that my body was starting to feel worn out. I appreciated that the setting was so simple, there was not even a restroom, just the temple and all these people squeezed together, but that it made it physically more gruelling. There was also no air conditioning and it was very hot, hotter than I ever thought possible. I found myself wondering if it was safe to be in a room that hot!

But all these details faded away as we listened to this wonderful song being performed at the end. It wasn’t even like that for everyone, I noticed at least one person wanting it to hurry up and end. But for me, time stopped and I was just still listening. It was reaching me and I was arriving to a present state.

That was when I remembered the Dzogchen practice, where when listening, we notice that which is listening. And there, more than seven thousand miles away from home, I felt at home as I settled into my own awareness. A simple and highly present state.

As they say, in Vajrayana literature, there are very elaborate, elaborate, non-elaborate and very non-elaborate teachings. This was of the very-non-elaborate kind. Just sitting with my senses, my mind, my awareness, using the basic stuff of what I am. I am grateful to know how to rest. This is the point of Dzogchen, to learn to use experience, to work with circumstance and to find the rest and ease within us.

Sometimes I remember that meditation in the temple because it was so spontaneous and so stripped of complexity. On bad days, I like to recycle past present experiences by contemplating them so I savor it again and enjoy it repeatedly. And now I share it with you (experiences can be re-enjoyed endlessly!)

This month as we prepare to enter our annual study of Finding Rest & Ease by Longchenpa, I have a renewed sense of the purpose of these instructions, that help us make peace with our own minds, wherever are. We can’t all necessarily go to Asia, or even get away from our work or family responsibilities for a full day. So we need to know how to rest right here, and I don’t mean just falling asleep, because that can be disturbing. The point is not even about free time, because even that can be draining, and we don’t have much of that. This advice from Longchenpa is about how to find a sense of refuge in our own body and mind just exactly as we are right now. This is a topic of intense scrutiny and rigorous examination, and the subject of some of the most beautiful poetry you will ever hear. I am overjoyed to share this with you and hope that year after year we will be able to work through this entire text together.

Last year we studied the first Vajra point about place, a profound teaching on integration with the environment. And this year we will study the great Longchenpa’s life of a yogi – how to live our lives as Dzogchen practitioners. I love that this addresses how to handle encounters with evil and avoid deception, because this is an important part of establishing the state of rest inside.

I hope you will join us and regardless, may we all find some moments of ease today.

My very best to you always,

Finding Rest & Ease in the Nature of Mind: 

Longchenpa’s Guide to Dzogchen with Pema Khandro

September 8-10th, 2023 Online

8:00am-12:30pm PST

11:00pm -3:30pm EST

4:00pm-8:30pm BST

“Liberation will be attained by seeing the nature of the mind itself,

the true nature of phenomena. Then there is no other peace to attain.”

Excerpt From, Precious Treasury of the Way of Abiding, Longchenpa

So much about the spiritual path is uncomfortable and not easy, which is why it is important to train to tap into these states as a source of refuge, rest, and recovery.

Experience three days of profound study and meditation in this three-day online retreat with Dr. Pema Khandro.

The Power of Mind in Buddhist Thought

By Pema Khandro

“When we realize that mind is the source of joy and the remedy for suffering, we reaffirm our conviction of the self-existing dignity of every human being.”  Pema Khandro

2023 Schedule of Events

ONGOING MONTHLY TRAINING

Daily Meditation Online
Vajrayana Training – 1st & 2nd Wednesday of each month
Ngakpa Training – 3rd Wednesday of each month

AUGUST

Aug 21-Oct 16 – Ngondro 4 – Intrinsic Wisdom

SEPTEMBER

Sept 8-10 Finding Rest and Ease in the Nature of Mind: Online Retreat with Pema Khandro

Click Here to view the BSI Calendar
*All Times are noted in Pacific Time (PT) – Check your Timezone

Buddhist Studies Institute

Longchen Nyingthig Ngondro Training

Module 4 Intrinsic Wisdom

with Lama Pema Khandro, PhD

and Tsalgyur Dorje

Starts Monday, August 21st – Online

5pm Pacific / 8pm Eastern

Take your meditation practice to the next level through the classic system of Vajrayana meditation known as Ngondro. Module Four of Ngondro presents a practice for experiencing the most empowered dimension of being through the practices of Vajrayogini and Padmasambhava. It is one of the four primary methods taught in Ngondro to purify, awaken, and transform the mind.

Ngondro are the foundational practices for purifying, training and empowering the body-mind. They form the basis of Vajrayana meditation and serve as the foundation for the highest practices of the nature of mind. Ngondro means ‘before going.’ In traditional Vajrayana practice, it represents the cognitive, physical, emotional and philosophical components which are keys to the practice liberation. 

It is possible to join Ngondro Training at any time, and it can be taken in any order. Join current modules live and take previous modules at your own pace.

When you attend live, its an opportunity to meet new dharma friends, practice together, talk together, and dialogue with your instructors.

This Ngondro training focuses on the foundational esoteric practices of the Nyingma tradition, of Tibetan Buddhism which emphasizes reliance on intrinsic wisdom, through its highest teaching, Dzogchen. The Heart of the Vast Expanse is a cherished cycle of the Nyingma lineage. It is also known as the Longchen Nyingthig, (klong chen snying thig). This is a cycle revealed by the brilliant eighteenth century Buddhist yogi, Jigme Lingpa, poet, leader, historian, and treasure revealer, whose texts synthesize Longchenpa’s teachings.

Finding Rest & Ease in the Nature of Mind: 

Longchenpa’s Guide to Dzogchen with Pema Khandro

September 8-10th 2023

8:00am-12:30pm PST

11:00pm -3:30pm EST

4:00pm-8:30pm BST

“To be sure, ordinary beings abide in the illusions of karma. Yogis abide in the illusions of meditative experiences. Buddhas, for their part, abide in the illusion of purity. All phenomena are illusion-like.”

Excerpt From, Finding Rest in Meditation, Longchenpa

These beautiful teachings consider the fundamental ease available in the depths of being, and how to access those states. It is often difficult to access rigorous engagement with Buddhist intellectual traditions. The Buddhist Studies Institute offers groundbreaking efforts to make that study available. The Dzogchen Retreat online will offer the opportunity to study the core writings of one of the most venerated and brilliant Buddhist philosophers of Tibet, Longchenpa (1308-1364). In classes you will read passages in Tibetan and translated English and enjoy the rich commentary and interpretation by Dzogchen scholar, Lama and lineage holder, Dr. Pema Khandro.

This retreat is led entirely online. Deep rest is the best preparation for class, enjoy restorative yoga in the morning led by Buddhist Studies Institute Faculty.

Part of the retreat includes:

• Feeling the support of group practice

• Dharma conversations, fostering community through small group discussions

• Experiencing Dzogchen, guided meditation sessions led by Pema Khandro

• Delving into Buddhist philosophy anchored in rigorous engagement with classical Buddhist texts; enjoying daily lectures given by Dr. Khandro

• Buddhist Philosophy

• Heart Sutra Chanting

• Remembering the profound teachings that unravel it all at the root

• Exploring reality, enjoying question and answer sessions with Dr. Khandro

• Signing up for one-to-one meetings at the end of the retreat with the Lama

• Bringing the dharma home to you; engaging in in-depth training from your own home, an unprecedented accessibility to traditional Buddhist training

Pema Khandro will lead practices from the 27 Practices for Training for Dzogchen Meditation from the sems nyid ngal gso, Longchenpa’s instructions on Finding Comfort and Ease in the Nature of Mind. A system venerated for its power to awaken the primordial knowing beyond illusions, these practices provide an opening to the authentic nature of innate wakefulness.

Unplug. Disconnect. Take space for inner silence and chanting meditation. Share silence together. Enjoy deep dharma study. This retreat includes guidance and support for taking a break from social media and news to create space for reflection and to declutter the mind.

Pre-requisites

Previous meditation experience and a history of meditation practice is necessary to fully appreciate and engage in the practices taught in this retreat, but this class is offered with open enrollment. Recommended prerequisites are: completed Ngondro training, are currently enrolled in Ngondro training or have completed Ngondro in any lineage.

How to Meditate

A Guide for Beginners by Dr. Pema Khandro

Buddhist meditation is a practice of wakeful presence. During meditation, everything outside ourselves is left as it is and attention is focused on the present moment. The purpose of meditation is to wake up from the maze of habitual dissatisfaction. The goal is to be simply present to experience things as they are.

2023 Schedule of Events

ONGOING MONTHLY TRAINING

Daily Meditation Online
Vajrayana Training – 1st & 2nd Wednesday of each month
Ngakpa Training – 3rd Wednesday of each month

AUGUST

Aug 21-Oct 16 – Ngondro 4 – Intrinsic Wisdom

SEPTEMBER

Sept 8-10 Finding Rest and Ease in the Nature of Mind: Online Retreat with Pema Khandro

Click Here for Events List and Registration
*All Times are noted in Pacific Time (PT) – Check your Timezone

Buddhist Studies Institute

Longchen Nyingthig Ngondro Training

Module 4 Intrinsic Wisdom

with Lama Pema Khandro, PhD

and Umdze Tsalgyur Dorje

Starts Monday, August 21st – Online

5pm Pacific / 8pm Eastern

Through the Buddhist Studies Institute, Pema Khandro has made your successful practice her top priority.  And perhaps the most seminal of the practices of Tibetan Buddhism is the Ngondro (pronounced “none dro”) which literally translates as “Before Going.”

Completing the Ngondro is required before one goes on to advanced practices that the Vajrayana tradition is known for, such as Yidam, Tsa Lung, and Dzogchen meditations.

More importantly, Ngondro provides a firm basis for living the meaning of Buddhist practice by training the body, speech and mind in the vast view.  It provides an immersion into the core techniques of Buddhist tantra.  It is said that the great master Patrul Rinpoche received and completed the Longchen Nyingthig Ngondro twenty-five times.

Although many aspire to complete the Ngondro, large numbers have not.  Ngondro is known for being difficult to do.  Often people think of completing the Ngondro “some day” when they carve out time for an extended retreat or when their family or business responsibilities are at their nadir. You don’t have to wait.  It is not helpful or necessary to consider Ngondro as too difficult – something that someone else does but not you.

Pema Khandro and the Buddhist Studies Institute are focused on making the key elements of advanced practice attainable for everyday people who live ordinary lives in modern society, busy people who have jobs and families.

How can we make advanced practices available to “ordinary” people?  How is this done?  One of the key elements of accomplishing this is through accessible education.  Many times possibilities are not known or understood due to lack of exposure and knowledge.

We are not in favor of the idea of missing out on our ability to practice Buddhism through lack of access to education.  Hence, you are invited to Ngondro Training where you can learn and be supported in accomplishment of the Ngondro, a vital and wonderful accomplishment for any practitioner. 

The Ngondro is a highly effective practice.  It’s an education that teaches you the attitudes, mindset and ways of a successful practitioner.

The practices of Ngondro and Buddhism in general are designed to alleviate and counteract the ways that society unconsciously trains us to fail in being happy and loving.  Instead these time honored practices help us to be more and more free of suffering, the original goal as stated by the Buddha.

The Ngondro Training begins next week, August 21st.  This training is designed with busy people in mind and if you cannot attend a segment of the training live, you will have access to the recording so you can view at a time that fits your schedule.   You will receive plenty of support for your practice in between the times of the class modules.

This Ngondro training focuses on the The Heart of the Vast Expanse Ngondro revealed by the brilliant eighteenth century Buddhist yogi, Jigme Lingpa, poet, leader, historian, and treasure revealer, whose texts are based on the quintessential Longchenpa teachings.

Module 4: Intrinsic Wisdom
 Receiving the Four Empowerments
Merging into Buddhahood

If this sounds like the training you are interested in, find out more and register here:

Finding Rest & Ease in the Nature of Mind: 

Longchenpa’s Guide to Dzogchen with Pema Khandro

September 8-10th 2023

8:00am-12:30pm PST

11:00pm -3:30pm EST

4:00pm-8:30pm BST

Join us for this special online retreat led by Buddhist scholar and teacher, Dr. Pema Khandro. She will lead the study of and practice of the ngal gso skor gsum, Longchenpa’s trilogy on Finding Comfort and Ease, a classic text of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, which has been presented section by section annually for eight years at the Buddhist Studies Institute.

Meet a Teacher: Pema Khandro Rinpoche

featured in Lion’s Roar

What is Pema Khandro’s principle mind poison?

What was the most important transmission she ever received?

What did Pema Khandro have for dinner?

…..Pema Khandro gets personal with Lion’s Roar.

Check out this quick 3 minute read below.

2023 Schedule of Events

ONGOING MONTHLY TRAINING

Daily Meditation Online
Vajrayana Training – 1st & 2nd Wednesday of each month
Ngakpa Training – 3rd Wednesday of each month

AUGUST

Aug 21-Oct 16 – Ngondro 4 – Intrinsic Wisdom

SEPTEMBER

Sept 8-10 Finding Rest and Ease in the Nature of Mind: Online Retreat with Pema Khandro

Click Here to view the BSI Calendar View
Click Here for Events List and Registration
*All Times are noted in Pacific Time (PT) – Check your Timezone

Buddhist Studies Institute

Longchen Nyingthig Ngondro Training

Module 4 Intrinsic Wisdom

Starts Monday, August 21st – Online

5pm Pacific / 8pm Eastern

It is possible to join Ngondro Training at any time and it can be taken in any order. Join current modules live and take previous modules at your own pace. This module will focus on Intrinsic Wisdom including Receiving the Four Empowerments and Merging into Buddhahood.

Ngondro are the foundational practices for purifying, training and empowering the body-mind. They form the basis of Vajrayana meditation and serve as the foundation for the highest practices of the nature of mind. Ngondro means ‘before going.’ In traditional Vajrayana practice, it represents the cognitive, physical, emotional and philosophical components which are keys to the practice liberation. 

This Ngondro training focuses on the foundational esoteric practices of the Nyingma tradition, of Tibetan Buddhism which emphasizes reliance on intrinsic wisdom, through its highest teaching, Dzogchen. The Heart of the Vast Expanse is a cherished cycle of the Nyingma lineage. It is also known as the Longchen Nyingthig, (klong chen snying thig). This is a cycle revealed by the brilliant eighteenth century Buddhist yogi, Jigme Lingpa, poet, leader, historian, and treasure revealer, whose texts synthesize Longchenpa’s teachings.

Pema Khandro reserves Ngondro teachings for serious students who wish to do intensive contemplative training. Dedicated to training yogis, householders and lay people outside of the monastery, Pema Khandro presents these practices in their concise, essential form. This comprehensive course on Ngondro will be taught in four modules to support the accomplishment of practice over the period of one year, with the training modules completed in nine months.

Finding Rest & Ease in the Nature of Mind:

Longchenpa’s Guide to Dzogchen with Pema Khandro

September 8-10th 2023

8:00am-12:30pm PST

11:00pm -3:30pm EST

4:00pm-8:30pm BST

This is a precious opportunity to experience the methods taught in Dzogchen meditation, Tibetan Buddhism’s most treasured path. Dzogchen means ‘Great Completion,’ because it focuses on the natural wisdom at the heart of every person. Even though each person has intrinsic goodness, states of chronic tension and fixation can impede its expression. Meditation in Dzogchen is a method of awakening to this wisdom and unraveling the obstacles to experiencing it. This is a path of allowing intrinsic wakefulness to manifest through letting go, settling in and supporting the body and mind to discover natural calm.

Encounter the profound instructions of the trilogy of comfort and ease, the exposition on the stages of the journey by one of the great Tibetan philosopher, Longchenpa (1308-1364).

Experience three days of profound study and meditation in a three-day online retreat with Dr. Pema Khandro.

Cultivate states of rest and ease in a supportive community of joyful dharma friends.

This online retreat is led by Buddhist scholar and teacher, Dr. Pema Khandro, founder of the Buddhist Studies Institute. She will lead the study of and practice of the ngal gso skor gsum, Longchenpa’s trilogy on Finding Comfort and Ease, a classic text of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, which has been presented section by section annually for eight years at the Buddhist Studies Institute.

Meet a Teacher

Lion’s Roar Features the Life of
Pema Khandro

Pema Khandro gets personal with the Lion’s Roar readership. Read about Pema Khandro’s life here.

2023 Schedule of Events

ONGOING MONTHLY TRAINING

Daily Meditation Online
Vajrayana Training – 1st & 2nd Wednesday of each month
Ngakpa Training – 3rd Wednesday of each month

AUGUST

Aug 21-Oct 16 – Ngondro 4 – Intrinsic Wisdom

SEPTEMBER

Sept 8-10 – Finding Rest and Ease in the Nature of Mind: Online Retreat with Pema Khandro

Click Here to view the BSI Calendar View
Click Here for Events List and Registration
*All Times are noted in Pacific Time (PT) – Check your Timezone

Buddhist Studies Institute

The Basic Space of Being

Choying Dzod Retreat 
With Pema Khandro and Khenpo Yeshi

August 4-6, 2023 – Online

9am – 12:00pm San Francisco (PDT)

12pm – 3:00pm New York (EDT)

Choying Dzod is the meaning of the innate nature of mind, dharmakaya.

It elucidates naked primordial wisdom
without affirming or negating anything.

It is the heart essence of the visions of
the Omniscient Lama Longchen Rabjam.

It is the most profound of all profound teachings.

It is the vivid arising of pure dharmakaya as the teaching.

This excellent teaching is a living buddha.

It fulfills the Buddha’s activities in this world.

It manifests the absolute vision of the Buddha.

Even if you were to see the Buddha in person,
there would not be [any] greater teaching than this

– Paltrul Rinpoche

Beyond effort and achievement is the state of natural ease, the basic space of being. How to breakthrough to find this innate expanse is the focus of a profound Buddhist meditation manual known as The Treasury of Basic Space, The Choying Dzod (chos dbyings rin po che’i mdzod). It presents the essence of esoteric Tibetan Buddhism, known as Great Perfection, or Dzogchen (rdzogs chen) in verse form. Venerated as a manifestation of the expanse of reality itself, The Treasury of Basic Space is the quintessential Dzogchen text by the fourteenth century master, Longchenpa.

Join Buddhist Studies Institute tomorrow for this special program taught online by two esteemed Dzogchen scholars, Khenpo Yeshi, and Dr. Pema Khandro. Experience the power of the coinciding of study and practice on this rare occassion.

Longchen Nyingthig Ngondro Training

Module 4 – Intrinsic Wisdom

Monday, August 21st – Online

5pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern

Intrinsic Wisdom module 4 focuses on the key theme of Vajrayana, which is empowerment, to experience the power of the indestructible buddhanature within oneself.

This covers the Lama Naljor, the meditation for stepping into self-empowerment through connection with Vajrayogini and Padmasambhava.

The Lama Naljor begins with Vajrayogini meditation and the seven line prayer, a prayer used widely in the Nyingma tradition to supplicate the awakened mind. This is followed by the guru yoga meditation and merging into Buddhahood.

Module Four is open to new and returning students, new comers will be fortunate to join in with a brilliant group of dharma friends. Returning students will reunite with the Water Rabbits to persevere through the profound contemplative training system of Ngondro together.

Pema Khandro’s Life Story

in Lion’s Roar: Meet a Teacher

Pema Khandro says: “Guess who is featured in the “Meet a Teacher” in Lion’s Roar?! what a fascinating a difficult process to boil down my life to a few paragraphs, and they edited that down even more…. There was a long section about the lamas I studied with and also about being a woman of color and multi-cultural person, adventures in Asia… Despite being so introverted I had alot to say! but it was too long so thanks to the skillful editors its now a pithy glimpse into a few facets of the strange and wonderful journey that I’ve gone on as a female lama, tulku, scholar, and someone who loves to walk by rivers… Check out the section on my heroes! That’s my favorite one….”

2023 Schedule of Events

ONGOING MONTHLY TRAINING

Daily Meditation Online
Vajrayana Training – 1st & 2nd Wednesday of each month
Ngakpa Training – 3rd Wednesday of each month

AUGUST

Aug 4-6 – Annual Dzogchen Retreat: The Choying Dzod with Khenpo Yeshi and Pema Khandro

Aug 21-Oct 16 – Ngondro 4 – Intrinsic Wisdom

SEPTEMBER

Sept 8-10 Finding Rest and Ease in the Nature of Mind: Online Retreat with Pema Khandro

Click Here to view the BSI Calendar View
Click Here for Events List and Registration
*All Times are noted in Pacific Time (PT) – Check your Timezone

Buddhist Studies Institute

Don’t Miss It, Only 3 days left to register!

The Basic Space of Being

Choying Dzod Retreat 
With Pema Khandro and Khenpo Yeshi

August 4-6, 2023 – Online

9am – 12:00pm San Francisco (PDT)

12pm – 3:00pm New York (EDT)

“I am inalienable sublime knowing.

Outer, inner, and secret are perfect in me.”

-The Treasury of Basic Space

Study the profound Dzogchen manual for meditation and liberation. This text is read to a dying loved one, the crucial support at the most important time. It guides the dying person to realize the nature of mind. Indeed, The Treasury of Basic Space has been read at the time of death of many great Dzogchen masters.

Venerated as a manifestation of the expanse of reality itself, The Treasury of Basic Space is the quintessential Dzogchen text by the fourteenth century master, Longchenpa.

Join Buddhist Studies Institute for this special program taught online by two esteemed Dzogchen scholars, Khenpo Yeshi, and Dr. Pema Khandro. Experience the power of the coinciding of study and practice.

Whether starting new, catching up, continuing or starting over, 

you are welcome to join NOW!

There are so many reasons to join!

To feel a sense of personal power

To feel a sense of roots

To connect to lineage

To connect with dharma friends

To go deep into esoteric meditation

To find a sense of greater freedom

To train in the precious path of Vajrayana

It is possible to join Ngondro Training at any time and it can be taken in any order. Join current modules live and take previous modules at your own pace. This module will focus on Intrinsic Wisdom including Receiving the Four Empowerments and Merging into Buddhahood.

Ngondro are the foundational practices for purifying, training and empowering the body-mind. They form the basis of Vajrayana meditation and serve as the foundation for the highest practices of the nature of mind. Ngondro means ‘before going.’ In traditional Vajrayana practice, it represents the cognitive, physical, emotional and philosophical components which are keys to the practice liberation. 

This Ngondro training focuses on the foundational esoteric practices of the Nyingma tradition, of Tibetan Buddhism which emphasizes reliance on intrinsic wisdom, through its highest teaching, Dzogchen. The Heart of the Vast Expanse is a cherished cycle of the Nyingma lineage. It is also known as the Longchen Nyingthig, (klong chen snying thig). This is a cycle revealed by the brilliant eighteenth century Buddhist yogi, Jigme Lingpa, poet, leader, historian, and treasure revealer, whose texts synthesize Longchenpa’s teachings.

All of the ngondro meditations are highly psychological and psycho-physical. They deal with the fundamental issues of a spiritual life, ones identity, body, relationships, past and future.

Finding Rest & Ease in the Nature of Mind

Longchenpa’s Guide to Dzogchen with Pema Khandro

September 8-10th 2023  Online

8:00am-12:30pm PST

11:00pm -3:30pm EST

4:00pm-8:30pm BST

Explore deep relaxation.

Look at your life in a more expansive way

Join us for the opportunity to do a deep dive into the teachings of one of the greatest philosophers of esoteric Buddhism who ever lived.

Experience three days of profound study and meditation in a three-day online retreat with Dr. Pema Khandro.

Finding Rest & Ease in the Nature of Mind

Encounter the profound instructions of the trilogy of comfort and ease, the exposition on the stages of the journey by one of the great Tibetan philosopher, Longchenpa (1308-1364).

This is a classical texted of the Nyingma tradition that provides an outline of the essence of esoteric Buddhism and the contemplative life.

The retreat three-day online retreat is led by Buddhist scholar and teacher, Dr. Pema Khandro, founder of the Buddhist Studies Institute. She will lead the study of and practice of the ngal gso skor gsum, Longchenpa’s trilogy on Finding Comfort and Ease.

About Dzogchen

Meditation in Dzogchen is a method of awakening to innate wisdom and unraveling the obstacles to experiencing it. This is a path of allowing intrinsic wakefulness to manifest through letting go, settling in and supporting the body and mind to discover natural calm.

Dharma Study in A Joyful, Warm Community

Cultivate states of rest and ease in a supportive community of joyful dharma friends.

Motivation & Enlightened Intention:

Bodhichitta Part 1 with Pema Khandro

“Motivation provides the field of practice…we are motivated to grow and awaken.” Pema Khandro

Listen to an excerpt from Pema Khandro’s class on Bodhichitta, the enlightened intention that is the heart of the Tibetan Buddhist path.

Meet a Teacher: Pema Khandro Rinpoche featured in Lion’s Roar

What is Pema Khandro’s principle mind poison?

What was the most important transmission she ever received?

What did Pema Khandro have for dinner?

…..Pema Khandro gets personal with Lion’s Roar. Check out this quick 3 minute read below.

2023 Schedule of Events

ONGOING MONTHLY TRAINING

Daily Meditation Online
Vajrayana Training – 1st & 2nd Wednesday of each month
Ngakpa Training – 3rd Wednesday of each month

AUGUST

Aug 4-6 – Annual Dzogchen Retreat: The Choying Dzod with Khenpo Yeshi and Pema Khandro

Aug 21-Oct 16 – Ngondro 4 – Intrinsic Wisdom

SEPTEMBER

Sept 8-10 Finding Rest and Ease in the Nature of Mind: Online Retreat with Pema Khandro

Click Here to view the BSI Calendar View
Click Here for Events List and Registration
*All Times are noted in Pacific Time (PT) – Check your Timezone