DAKINI DAY CHOD

Dakini Day Chod – Opening the Sky Door

With Pema Khandro

August 3rd

1-3pm PT | 4-6pm ET

Meditation and Instructions on letting go of fictions and self-deception in Tibetan Chod meditation. Link to text will be shared during the program.

Chod is a meditation method through meeting fear and neurosis with compassion and skill. Rather than renounce these mind states, in Chod, they are allowed to transform and be as keys to innate wisdom.

Register Here

DZOGCHEN SERIES

DZOGCHEN SERIES Longchenpa & His Life Teachings

with Anne Klein (Lama Rigzin Drolma)

Jampa Mackenzie Stewart

Khenpo Gawang Rinpoche

Pema Khandro

Aug 16th – 19th, 6-7:30pm PT – Guest Presenters

Sat Aug 21st, 10am-6pm PT – Longchenpa’s Advice to Yogis

w/ Pema Khandro

One of the most celebrated scholars of Tibetan Buddhism was Longchenpa, a fourteenth century philosopher-yogi who wrote about Dzogchen.

Dzogchen is the esoteric tradition of Tibetan contemplation, regarded as the highest and most precious body of knowledge held by the Nyingma tradition. It emphasizes teachings on intrinsic buddha-nature as the true nature of every person and the ground of reality. It also emphasizes a contemplative relationship with the elements and environment.

Longchenpa’s work on Dzogchen defined the tradition as it is practiced today. Longchenpa’s extensive collected works synthesized the Dzogchen teachings and their relationship to the exoteric Buddhist philosophical movements.

This series features even lectures, scholars and teachers of Tibetan Buddhism specializing in the works of Longchenpa and Dzogchen. These classes will focus on the life and teachings of Longchenpa, followed by a day-long meditation course, all online. Join us in celebrating the history of Dzogchen and reflecting on its developments, views and contributions in the life and works of Longchenpa.

*This series has a limited enrollment of 100 participants.

Register Here

BIPOC MEDITATION

BIPOC Meditation Group with Pema Khandro is for members who are BIPOC to practice together and talk about how race impacts our lives.

Letter from Janak

Dear Friends and Members,

The story of Buddhism and the story of Dakini Mountain has always been a story of possibilities.  What is possible?  Can I really do it?  Who will help me?

Many years ago, the Buddha told us what was possible: freedom from suffering.  He told us that we could do it!   And he said he would help.

It started in a place.  Under the Bodhi Tree, the Buddha meditated and realized enlightenment.  Then he began to teach the Four Noble Truths in a place called Deer Park.

Throughout hundreds of years and from the very beginning of Buddhism, physical places have been pivotal to the flourishing of Buddhism.  These sacred places serve as practical locations for Buddhist practitioners to live, places of study and power centers that emanate intangible yet highly effective waves of awareness to benefit society.

Past examples of places that have been critical in the development of Buddhism include the Bamboo Grove Ashram where the Buddha first sheltered with his students during the winter monsoons; the 84,000 stupas built by Emperor Ashoka to establish Buddhism throughout the Indian subcontinent; and Samye, the very first Tibetan Buddhist center, key to the development of Tibetan Buddhism, near Lhasa in Tibet.

In these three examples, the sacred places were funded by kings and an emperor.  In today’s world, governments, by and large, do not fund Buddhism.

Dakini Mountain will be funded by ordinary people, like you and me, who feel a call to make a difference, to infuse the vision of the Buddha with vitality through bringing this place, Dakini Mountain, into reality.

Dakini Mountain is a Buddhist retreat, a Yogic Medicine healing center, an environmental leadership site and more. Founded in 2019 by Pema Khandro and Ngakpa International, Dakini Mountain is located on 35 breathtakingly beautiful acres in the Tahoe National Forest of Northern California.

It’s already partially developed and established but much is still needed.

At this moment, Dakini Mountain needs $15,500 to take the next step of providing critical fire clearing and other refurbishing to make Dakini Mountain available for immediate use.  This is the first goal in a series of goals.  You can see the whole plan at www.dakinimountain.org.

Already, $8,750 of the $15,500 has been raised.  Please help accomplish this goal and give Dakini Mountain and Buddhism your support.

Your gifts can also be made by check, payable to Ngakpa International, and mailed to Dakini Mountain, P.O. Box 2396, Nevada City, California 95959, USA.

Ngakpa International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit EIN 68-0529687 and all gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law.

Thank you!

Janak

Director of Vajrayana Training and Fundraising

Ngakpa International

Buddhist Studies Institute

Dakini Mountain Retreat Center

P.O. Box 2396

Nevada City, California 95946

USA

EXCELLENT PATH

Excellent Path

With Pema Khandro

Buddhist Philosophy Online – Open Teaching Webcast

Tonight! July 28th

6-6:30pm PT | 9-9:30pm ET

A 30 minute guided meditation and online teaching with Pema Khandro. Free and open to the public.

This is a monthly class to support your meditation practice and meet the challenge of integrating meditation into a full, dynamic life. This class will include meditation instruction, Buddhist teachings, and remedies for navigating through challenges to practice.

Click Here to Register Now

MEMORIAL & ZHITRO PRACTICE

Memorial & Zhitro for Jillian Patricia

With Pema Khandro

July 28th, 6:45-7:45pm PT

Our beloved friend Jillian passed away last night from cancer. She was surrounded by friends and family. Jillian was a true and brave buddhist, beautiful person and friend. She really loved dharma. We are grateful for her warmth, kindness, bravery and dharma friendship.

Pema Khandro will lead the first Zhitro and memorial for our beloved friend, Jillian Patricia, this Wednesday, July 28th, at 6:45pm -7:45pm San Francisco Time/ 9:45-10:45 New York Time.

49 Days is the period of transition in the post-death state, the time in which we can be of great benefit for the deceased. If you would like to participate in offering Zhitro for Jillian, you can sign-up to hold a day here*: LINK: 49 Days of Zhitro for Jillian

*Signing up to hold a day would not be guided, these Zhitro practices will be happening on your own, at your own time of day/pace.

May Jillian find ultimate liberation and peace in the bardo.

Register Here

MEDICINE BUDDHA & TRAUMA

Click Here to Register

BUDDHISM & TRAUMA SERIES

Buddhism & Trauma

Hosted by Pema Khandro

July 20-24, 2021

6pm PT / 9pm ET

Tue July 20 – Mark Epstein

Wed July 21 – Sarah Lewis

Thu July 22 – Jim Hopper & Dr. Elizabeth Call

Sat July 24 – Medicine Buddha & Trauma w/ Pema Khandro

Both Buddhism and Trauma Studies have asked questions about human suffering. Both explore the profound journey of getting free from the bonds of negative experiences of the past.

This series will focus on the dialogue between Buddhism, trauma, and cross-cultural reflections on psychology. Join us for this week of online dialogues with scholars and teachers on the compelling topic of Buddhism and Trauma.

Click Here to Register Now

MEDICINE BUDDHA & TRAUMA

Click Here to Register

Letter on Reopening

Dear Dharma Friends,

We have been receiving questions of joyful anticipation for when Dakini Mountain can open again. Dakini Mountain is our retreat center in the making. It is dedicated to supporting the cultivation of rest, rejuvenation, wisdom and compassion amidst this vivid landscape of raw elemental beauty. It is 35 acres, completely off grid and a power spot of Vajrayogini.

Before addressing Dakini Mountain re-opening plans, it’s important to acknowledge that the pandemic is not over for everyone. Its effects continue for all those who lost family members, for those with long-haul COVID-19 symptoms, those with post-COVID complications, those who are immunocompromised for whom the vaccine does not mean safety and so forth. Now in California there are cases rising with new variants. Our love and prayers are with all our dharma friends who are effected by the pandemic. May all who passed find great peace. May all who remain ill, feel loved and supported. May they recover fully and swiftly.

The effect of the pandemic on Dakini Mountain is still in full swing as well. We lost a year and a half of events income. On top of that, we did not meet our winter fundraising goal. There weren’t many community members there to maintain the land, so just like in so many places around the world, while we were not active on the land, wildlife started encroaching. The meadow was taken over by gophers, then a community of rattlesnakes moved in and a bear lounged openly next to the pond, making himself at home in our absence. Brush and bush expanded and we went through several rounds of broken water pipes.

We are all looking forward to re-opening but to achieve this will require much work and help from the whole community.

We have planned a two-stage opening process which will depend on whether we meet our next round of fundraising goals.

Our goal is to fundraise $15,500 by our partial re-opening on August 15th and a remaining $34,500 this fall. This includes funding for fire clearance and critical immediate needs and maintenance to restore the land back to use level.

Partial Re-opening Plans

Since Dakini Mountain is perfect for outdoor events, with its stage, outdoor kitchen and scenic meadow, it is really a perfect site to have outdoor events. The partial re-opening will allow us to host other groups for day-long, non-residential events including a monthly Community Day at Dakini Mountain. This will offer a chance to practice meditation together and work on the land.

Upon partial re-opening on August 15th, we will open Dakini Mountain for:

• AirBnB rentals

• Community Day once a month, outdoors and social distanced

• Day-long Event rentals for groups, workshops [non-residential]

See DakiniMountain.org for the full details of our fundraising campaign.

The Full Re-Opening

Our full re-opening is scheduled for June 2-5th, 2022, for our annual spring Vajrayana retreat and anniversary of Dakini Mountain. We have postponed full re-opening until then since residential retreats include dining together, hanging out inside the lodge and working alongside one another, so we don’t feel we can guarantee guests safety for indoor residential retreats at this time. However, we are eagerly looking forward to preparing for our full-opening when we can spend time immersed in all the joy and wonder that Dakini Mountain has to offer. After losing water and power in previous residential events, we can see the importance of doing our necessary fundraising for upgrades before our next retreat and this full re-opening date will give us time for fundraising and working on the land.

How Online Programs Are Affected

Many have asked how the reopening of Dakini Mountain will affect our online programs. We plan to continue the online programs in full, along with our previous rhythm with three public in-person retreats per year and one-day events or weekend Vajra Sangha programs resuming our regular schedule again in Spring 2022. In between these events Dakini Mountain will be used by other groups of guests for non-residential events.

Our goal before the pandemic was to develop the Buddhist Studies Institute as an online school with a full spectrum of Buddhist philosophy and practice taught by Tibetan and Western scholars. This platform developed more quickly than we had planned due to the pandemic, and this will only continue to develop. This continues to be possible due to donations and due to our wonderful community of volunteers.

Speaking of volunteers, we have much more work to do to catch up with our growth and are in need of video editors and tech hosts for our programs. Email us if you’d like to join in and help at Volunteer@BuddhistStudiesInstitute.org

Changes to Ngakpa Training and Vajra Sangha

The board of directors has decided to change the requirements for Ngakpa Training in order to open it up as a resource for new members who have already been involved in intensive Buddhist study for an extended period. This course is our advanced study course for students who are doing longer term intensive study, practice and service. It has pre-requisites, which previously included Vajra Sangha membership. However, as our online programming has expanded we have opened Ngakpa Training to non-Vajra Sangha students. Other pre-requisites will still apply.

We are also in the process of revising our Vajra Sangha membership pre-requisites which will be completed by the end of the year. Vajra Sangha are my personal students. You can recognize them by the red and white Ngakpa shawls they wear at programs. Buddhist Studies Institute serves students from many other sanghas as well, everyone is welcome and appreciated. Diversity is beautiful.

Two New Sangha Leaders to be Trained. Because of our recent growth and the new awareness gained from the pandemic, we are also planning to develop two other leaders who can take on the same roles as Aruna and Satya, my trusted advisors and the leaders of all our other teams. The three of us have run our projects together over the last ten years, working together week by week to make the decisions by consensus that have guided all the events and projects. The pandemic made us aware how important it is to have doubles and a backup system, so we are now actively looking for two more people to join our directors team who can play a leadership role and step into Satya and Aruna’s roles as needed. This includes skills of Aruna, our CFO [Chief Financial Officer], such as overseeing legal and accounting for Ngakpa International and the skills of Satya, our COO [Chief Operations Officer], managing projects, overseeing events, outreach and leadership team. Please do email us if you have experience in these roles and would like to apply to join the directors team: Info@BuddhistStudiesInstitute.org.

Buddhism and Trauma

Finally, I want to personally invite you to our upcoming program on Buddhism and Trauma with events from July 20-24th. This series will examine the relationship between Trauma theory and Buddhist philosophy and practice. Trauma theory has evolved greatly since the time it was thought that PTSD was something only war veterans had. The growing knowledge about the effects of traumatic stress now extend to address how adverse events effect bodies and minds in any scenario. Unresolved past events are thought to drive our behaviors in the present time, whether we are aware of it or not. We may be more susceptible to traumatic stress for various reasons such as if we are ill, tired or have had previous adverse events. There are so many important aspects of trauma theory that overlap with the basic knowledge we need to have as human beings, how our minds, bodies, emotions work. How past events stick. How past stresses can be reprocessed and released. This sounds familiar to Buddhists, because these are the issues we think about as well, how to get free from the residue of past events, and how to get free from suffering. Furthermore, Buddhist based practices have been a major resource used for recovery and healing by trauma-informed therapists. I want to share this series with you because I believe this knowledge can be life-changing, and it is knowledge that we need in the Buddhist community. And also because there is a fascinating and exciting exchange happening between the two discourses of trauma theory and Buddhist theory and practice. If you would like to join us, Click Here to Register

I want to finish by expressing my gratitude to our community and friends for all the support that has sustained us thus far. It is beautiful to collaborate together in fostering a learning community, and a practice community, one that is so brilliant and kind. Thank you and I look forward to studying and practicing together.

My very best to you,

Dzogchen Series: Longchenpa, His Life & Teachings

with Anne Klein (Lama Rigzin Drolma),

Khenpo Gawang Rinpoche

Pema Khandro

Aug 17-21st

One of the most celebrated scholars of Tibetan Buddhism was Longchenpa, a fourteenth century philosopher-yogi who wrote about Dzogchen.

Dzogchen is the esoteric tradition of Tibetan contemplation, regarded as the highest and most precious body of knowledge held by the Nyingma tradition. It emphasizes teachings on intrinsic buddha-nature as the ground of reality, as well as contemplative relationship with the elements and environment.

Longchenpa’s work on Dzogchen defined the tradition as it is practiced today. Longchenpa’s extensive collected works synthesized the Dzogchen teachings and their relationship to the exoteric Buddhist philosophical movements.

This series features even lectures, scholars and teachers of Tibetan Buddhism specializing in the works of Longchenpa and Dzogchen. These classes will focus on the life and teachings of Longchenpa, followed by a day-long meditation course, all online. Join us in celebrating the history of Dzogchen and reflecting on its developments, views and contributions in the life and works of Longchenpa.

To register email us at info@BuddhistStudiesInstitute.org to get the registration link. *This program has a limited enrollment of 100 participants.

Buddhism and Trauma Series

Buddhism & Trauma

Hosted by Pema Khandro

July 20-24, 2021

6pm PT / 9pm ET

Tue July 20 – Mark Epstein

Wed July 21 – Sarah Lewis

Thu July 22 – Jim Hopper & Dr. Elizabeth Call

Sat July 24 – Medicine Buddha & Trauma w/ Pema Khandro

Both Buddhism and Trauma Studies have asked questions about human suffering. Both explore the profound journey of getting free from the bonds of negative experiences of the past.

This series will focus on the dialogue between Buddhism, trauma, and cross-cultural reflections on psychology. Join us for this week of online dialogues with scholars and teachers on the compelling topic of Buddhism and Trauma.

Click Here to Register Now

Medicine Buddha & Trauma

Click Here to Register

EXCELLENT PATH

NGONDRO TRAINING

NGONDRO TRAINING

SADHANA OF SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA

Saga Dawa Celebration

With Pema Khandro & Khenpo Gawang Rinpoche

This Wednesday, May 26th, 6pm – 8pm PT

Celebrate the Anniversary of the Buddha

With an Evening of Meditation and Mantra

• Receive the initiation for the sacred Buddha mantra
• Receive the initiation for the Kunzang Monlam, the eclipse practice
• Practice mantra and meditation with Pema Khandro & Khenpo Gawang
• Make aspiration prayers with the community
• Accumulate merit through the meditation and offerings

“Saga Dawa,” is the most auspicious day of the Buddhist Calendar. Saga Dawa is celebrated by Buddhists all around the world as the anniversary of the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and the day he passed away into parinirvana.

Join us online for a celebration with Khenpo Gawang Rinpoche and Pema Khandro. Khenpo Gawang Rinpoche will teach the Sadhana of Sakyamuni Buddha and give the initiation for the practice and for the mantra. This will be a reading transmission, or lung.

This year, Saga Dawa Full Moon falls on an eclipse. Therefore, for this special occasion, Pema Khandro will give the lung and lead the recitation of the beloved and powerful prayer of the Nyingma lineage for eclipses, the Kunzang Monlam.

Join Khenpo Gawang, Pema Khandro, friends and members for this joyous celebration of the Buddha’s Anniversary.

Click Here to Register Now

Opportunity for Auspicious Butterlamp Offerings

The effects of actions on this day are said to be multiplied by ten million times because of the spiritual power of this full moon on the fourth month. To participate in this momentous occasion, friends and members of the community may become butterlamp (or candle) sponsors and offer aspiration prayers on this special occasion. Sponsors of the Butterlamp offering will be given the opportunity to come online live during the ceremony and recite their aspiration prayer while holding a butterlamp, candle or tea light. Plan to write your aspiration prayers to be completed in under two minutes. For an example of an aspiration prayer, please visit the link below.

Click Here to Register Now

VAJRAYOGINI EMPOWERMENT

Vajrayogini Empowerment

With Drupon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche & Pema Khandro

June 4th, 6pm – June 6th, 6pm Online

Click Here to Register Now

Join us for this special event, the Vajrayogini Empowerment, an initiation into the inner tantra practice of generation stage meditation.

Generation stage meditation is the central method of Tibetan tantra. It centers on the transformation of our identity and a re-inhabiting of embodied experience in the energy of the yidam – the meditational deity. It is a practice used to liberate the mind from the confines of its habitual reference points.

Generation stage meditations are closely kept secret practices passed through ritual initiations, known as empowerments. The empowerment provides an introduction to the practice, permission to practice, as well as the direct introduction with the energy of the yidam.

This special weekend will feature two and a half days of instructions, empowerment and meditations of Vajrayogini.

It will be led by Drupon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche who will give the empowerment and Lama Pema Khandro who will give the explanation and instructions.

We are honored to host the most excellent interpreter, Ina Bieler! The empowerment will be translated into lucid and easy to understand English.

This special event is offered online for the special occasion of the celebration of Saga Dawa and the one year anniversary of Dakini Mountain.

Click Here to Register Now

An invitation in the beautiful world of Tibetan Buddhist Tantra

• Receive empowerment for the secret practice of Vajrayogini
• Learn the symbols, ornaments and meaning of Vajrayogini
• Learn and practice the Vajrayogini mantra
• Learn and practice Vajrayogini generation stage meditation
• Learn and practice the Vajrayogini torma offering

Vajrayogini is regarded as the essence of all buddhas, venerated by every sect of Tibetan Buddhism and venerated by Buddhists and Hindus all over the world. Vajrayogini is the symbol of the freedom and power of intrinsic wisdom.

This weekend will focus on two Vajrayogini rites.

Friday evening will open with the Vajrayogini torma offering from the Dakini’s Heart Essence (Khandro Nyingthig) and the Jewel Garland Chod (Rinchen Trengwa Chod) entitled, Calling the 100,000 Dakinis. The oral transmission and explanation will be given by Pema Khandro, followed by engaging in the practice.

Saturday and Sunday will focus on the short-form Drikung Kagyu, Vajrayogini generation stage meditation. Drupon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche who will bestow the Vajrayogini empowerment and give the full transmission of the empowerment, oral transmission and explanation. This will be followed by practice instructions, explanation and mantra accumulations led by Pema Khandro.

Pre-requisites

Traditionally, the Vajrayogini empowerment is difficult and rare to get. For this special occasion of Saga Dawa and the Anniversary of Dakini Mountain, and upon so many requests, the Buddhist Studies Institute is sponsoring the Vajrayogini Empowerment one more time. The pre-requisite for long term extensive Vajrayogini practice is completion of ngondro, the tantric preliminaries. However, out of generosity, Drupon has welcomed anyone to attend, as long as they complete the ngondro before begining the Vajrayogini accumulations. This will allow everyone to receive the empowerment while they can.

Click Here to Register Now

Vajrayogini is the female buddha who takes many forms, as a dancing Dakini, as a fierce warrior, as joyous, as wrathful, as compassionate mother, single or in embrace with consort. She is the symbol of the vibrant intrinsic power of altruistic love and radical clarity.

Click Here to Register Now

So That We Can Breathe

It has been one year since the murder of George Floyd. We are committed to searching our hearts and minds, learning and educating so that racism and all forms of hate are cut at their root.

We are committed to providing education in the fundamental tools needed to create communities in which people of all races and ethnicities can live in safety and dignity including Black, Brown, Indigenous, Trans and Queer People.

Faith communities each respond in their own ways to times of tragedy. We are a Buddhist community led by an indigenous woman of color, thus we regard diversity issues as core to understandings of the Buddhist philosophy of emptiness, compassion and interdependence. There are so many actions needed for the world to change, at Buddhist Studies Institute we work together to contribute to that change through providing education and empowerment of all those we serve.

Remembering the Poem

When black men are 3.6 times more likely to die from police use of force

… I can’t breathe. 

When black men between the ages of 18-35 are dying twice as fast as any other American

… I can’t breathe…

Father Lamas, Mother Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Dakas and Dakinis, Protectors, lineage masters, elders and ancestors.
Help me to breathe in “I Can’t Breathe” and breathe out compassion
Help me to breathe in “I Can’t Breathe” and breathe out education
Help me to breathe in “I Can’t Breathe” and breathe out altruistic action
Help me to breathe in “I Can’t Breathe” and breathe out the practice of liberation…

– Excerpts from Pema Khandro’s poem as read at the Dakini Mountain Inauguration, May 31, 2020

Click Here to Read More

Ngondro Training