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Pema Khandro and Buddhist Yogis News Archive

Letter from Pema Khandro

Upcoming Events

Donate – The Dakini Mountain Emergency Fund

Open Dates
Dakini Mountain and Ngakpa International have been severely affected by the pandemic which has caused a major loss of income. Every contribution at this time makes a difference... More
Register Now

Daily Meditation

Open Dates
Daily Meditation online is daily from 12-12:30pm PT, offered by Buddhist Studies Institute certified meditation instructors as a free service to our worldwide community. Together – We Practice! More
Register now

Ngakpa Training – Online

April 21, 2021
The Ngakpa Training offers in-depth study... of Vajrayana Buddhist history, philosophy and practice, focusing on the Inner Tantras of the Nyingma Tradition, also known as MahaYoga, AnuYoga and Dzogchen... More
Pre-requisites Required to Register. For More Information, Email Info@Ngakpa.org

Valid Cognition Course with Geshe Sonam

April 22, 2021
Study Buddhist logic and epistemology to understand how mind knows, (in Sanskrit, Pramana or in Tibetan, tshad ma) and identify how wrong knowledge causes cyclic suffering.This is the study of a classic text on Valid Cognition... More
Register Now

Finding Comfort and Ease with Pema Khandro

April 23 - 25, 2021
Online Restorative Meditation Retreat with Pema Khandro. After a year of obstacles and stress, we invite you to join us for a weekend of restoration, serenity and serene contemplation of the ultimate purpose of life. More
Register Now

Excellent Path

April 28, 2021
Buddhist Philosophy Online, Open Teaching Webcast. This is a monthly class to support your meditation practice and meet the challenge of integrating meditation into a full, dynamic life […] More
Register Now

Valid Cognition Course with Geshe Sonam

April 29, 2021
Study Buddhist logic and epistemology to understand how mind knows, (in Sanskrit, Pramana or in Tibetan, tshad ma) and identify how wrong knowledge causes cyclic suffering.This is the study of a classic text on Valid Cognition... More
Register Now

Vajrayana Training – Online

May 5, 2021
In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism[…] More
Register now

Vajrayana Training – Online

May 12, 2021
In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism[…] More
Register now

Ngakpa Training – Online

May 19, 2021
The Ngakpa Training offers in-depth study... of Vajrayana Buddhist history, philosophy and practice, focusing on the Inner Tantras of the Nyingma Tradition, also known as MahaYoga, AnuYoga and Dzogchen... More
Pre-requisites Required to Register. For More Information, Email Info@Ngakpa.org

Excellent Path

May 26, 2021
Buddhist Philosophy Online, Open Teaching Webcast. This is a monthly class to support your meditation practice and meet the challenge of integrating meditation into a full, dynamic life […] More
Register Now

Vajrayana Training – Online

June 2, 2021
In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism[…] More
Register now

Vajrayana Training – Online

June 9, 2021
In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism[…] More
Register now

Ngondro Training – Heart of the Vast Expanse

June 15 - 17, 2021
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... More
Register Now

Ngakpa Training – Online

June 16, 2021
The Ngakpa Training offers in-depth study... of Vajrayana Buddhist history, philosophy and practice, focusing on the Inner Tantras of the Nyingma Tradition, also known as MahaYoga, AnuYoga and Dzogchen... More
Pre-requisites Required to Register. For More Information, Email Info@Ngakpa.org

Excellent Path

June 23, 2021
Buddhist Philosophy Online, Open Teaching Webcast. This is a monthly class to support your meditation practice and meet the challenge of integrating meditation into a full, dynamic life […] More
Register Now

Vajrayana Training – Online

July 7, 2021
In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism[…] More
Register now

Vajrayana Training – Online

July 14, 2021
In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism[…] More
Register now

Ngakpa Training – Online

July 21, 2021
The Ngakpa Training offers in-depth study... of Vajrayana Buddhist history, philosophy and practice, focusing on the Inner Tantras of the Nyingma Tradition, also known as MahaYoga, AnuYoga and Dzogchen... More
Pre-requisites Required to Register. For More Information, Email Info@Ngakpa.org

Excellent Path

July 28, 2021
Buddhist Philosophy Online, Open Teaching Webcast. This is a monthly class to support your meditation practice and meet the challenge of integrating meditation into a full, dynamic life […] More
Register Now

Vajrayana Training – Online

August 4, 2021
In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism[…] More
Register now

Ngondro Training – Heart of the Vast Expanse

August 10 - 12, 2021
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... More
Register Now

Vajrayana Training – Online

August 11, 2021
In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism[…] More
Register now

Ngakpa Training – Online

August 18, 2021
The Ngakpa Training offers in-depth study... of Vajrayana Buddhist history, philosophy and practice, focusing on the Inner Tantras of the Nyingma Tradition, also known as MahaYoga, AnuYoga and Dzogchen... More
Pre-requisites Required to Register. For More Information, Email Info@Ngakpa.org

Excellent Path

August 25, 2021
Buddhist Philosophy Online, Open Teaching Webcast. This is a monthly class to support your meditation practice and meet the challenge of integrating meditation into a full, dynamic life […] More
Register Now

Vajrayana Training – Online

September 1, 2021
In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism[…] More
Register now

Vajrayana Training – Online

September 8, 2021
In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism[…] More
Register now

Ngakpa Training – Online

September 15, 2021
The Ngakpa Training offers in-depth study... of Vajrayana Buddhist history, philosophy and practice, focusing on the Inner Tantras of the Nyingma Tradition, also known as MahaYoga, AnuYoga and Dzogchen... More
Pre-requisites Required to Register. For More Information, Email Info@Ngakpa.org

Excellent Path

September 22, 2021
Buddhist Philosophy Online, Open Teaching Webcast. This is a monthly class to support your meditation practice and meet the challenge of integrating meditation into a full, dynamic life […] More
Register Now

Vajrayana Training – Online

October 6, 2021
In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism[…] More
Register now

Vajrayana Training – Online

October 13, 2021
In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism[…] More
Register now

Ngakpa Training – Online

October 20, 2021
The Ngakpa Training offers in-depth study... of Vajrayana Buddhist history, philosophy and practice, focusing on the Inner Tantras of the Nyingma Tradition, also known as MahaYoga, AnuYoga and Dzogchen... More
Pre-requisites Required to Register. For More Information, Email Info@Ngakpa.org

Excellent Path

October 27, 2021
Buddhist Philosophy Online, Open Teaching Webcast. This is a monthly class to support your meditation practice and meet the challenge of integrating meditation into a full, dynamic life […] More
Register Now

Ngakpa Live – Online

October 27, 2021
The Ngakpa Training offers in-depth study... of Vajrayana Buddhist history, philosophy and practice, focusing on the Inner Tantras of the Nyingma Tradition, also known as MahaYoga, AnuYoga and Dzogchen... More
Pre-requisites Required to Register. For More Information, Email Info@Ngakpa.org

Vajrayana Training – Online

November 3, 2021
In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism[…] More
Register now

Vajrayana Training – Online

November 10, 2021
In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism[…] More
Register now

Ngakpa Training – Online

November 17, 2021
The Ngakpa Training offers in-depth study... of Vajrayana Buddhist history, philosophy and practice, focusing on the Inner Tantras of the Nyingma Tradition, also known as MahaYoga, AnuYoga and Dzogchen... More
Pre-requisites Required to Register. For More Information, Email Info@Ngakpa.org

Vajrayana Training – Online

December 1, 2021
In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism[…] More
Register now

Vajrayana Training – Online

December 8, 2021
In web-classes, meeting twice a month, students will discover how to understand the pivotal principles of Tibetan Buddhism[…] More
Register now

Ngakpa Training – Online

December 15, 2021
The Ngakpa Training offers in-depth study... of Vajrayana Buddhist history, philosophy and practice, focusing on the Inner Tantras of the Nyingma Tradition, also known as MahaYoga, AnuYoga and Dzogchen... More
Pre-requisites Required to Register. For More Information, Email Info@Ngakpa.org

February 21, 2021 by BuddhistYogis

“I take refuge in emptiness, luminous awareness and compassion.”

 

Dear Friends,

This is a line from the Ngondro meditation, one that is part of the refuge formulations in Dzogchen nying thig tradition. They refer to the refuge in the three jewels but also the many other ways of understanding refuge. 

The one from the Dakini’s Heart Essence gives a very long formulation:

 

I take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.

I take refuge in the Lama, Yidam, and Khandro.

I take refuge in the Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya, and Nirmanakaya.

I take refuge in emptiness, lucid presence and compassion.

I take refuge in the dharmakaya buddha.

I take refuge in the Sambhogakaya.

I take refuge in the compassionate nirmanakaya.

I take refuge in my own kind root teacher.

I take refuge in the lineage lamas, the source of blessings.

I take refuge in the compassionate teachers who give me guidance.

I take refuge in the yidam and the divine assembly of its mandala.

I take refuge in the warriors, dakinis, and dharma protectors.

 

But the Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse is an essential version of the Dakini’s Heart Essence and the Dzogchen Nyingthig teachings, so it presents something more pithy. It says:

 

I take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and Sangha

I take refuge in the Lama, Yidam and Khandro

I take refuge in the channels, winds, centers, and their nature, the bodhicitta,

I take refuge in emptiness, lucid presence and compassion

 

These prayers represent a reorientation that happens through Ngondro training. There is a change from seeing oneself as alone and rootless to seeing oneself as deeply connected, particularly connected to one’s lineage, to the buddha-nature of the body, to the wisdom intrinsic to the phenomenal world. It is not just a sense of refuge that comes from externals, but it is ultimately a sense of refuge that comes in the very wisdom of one’s own body and natural mind. To develop such a sense of refuge is an essential part of Vajrayana training, because it is a  matter of a sense of one’s roots, a sense of having resources in the most profound sense.

 

I am reminded of Garchen Rinpoche’s lovely analogy – there is a difference between a flower that has been picked and a flower that has its roots in the ground. The flower that has been picked and now lives in a vase, inside the house, will perish very easily. Whereas the flower that is still in the ground, its roots in the earth, can withstand winds, rains, hot and cold. 

 

What is that intangible quality of feeling that one has roots? The feeling that one knows one’s place in this world? It seems to be missing in our scientific studies of the benefits of meditation for the very reason that we cannot quantify it. Yet it is a matter of ultimate importance and something that Ngondro meditations address very directly. 

 

This Monday, I am looking forward to leading another module of Ngondro Training, the section on purifying the mind from the Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse Ngondro series. New students can join in on the class, so I am looking forward to seeing old friends and new friends. 

 

Happy lunar new year to you, and may health and wisdom prevail,


2021b_NgondroTraining_PKR_FB_1

Entering the Heart of the Vast Expanse
Purifying the Mind
 
Feb 22-24, 2021, 1-3pm PT
Ngondro Training
Vajrasattva Meditation and Purification of Karma
 

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 Purifying the Mind including Vajrasattva Meditation and Purification of Karma.

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.

Heart of the Vast Expanse – 4 Modules

Module 1: The Field of Buddhas (Self-paced Course)
Module 2: Purifying the Mind
Module 3: Mountain of Jewels
Module 4: Intrinsic Wisdom

Module 1: The Field of Buddhas (Self-paced Course)
Purification of Speech
Generating A Refuge Field
Raising Enlightened Intent 

Module 2: Purifying the Mind
Vajrasattva Meditation
Purification of Karma

Module 3: Mountain of Jewels
Mandala Offering
Vajrayogini Practice
Seven Line Prayer

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


PemaKhandro29_Ngakpa-1024x683 2

Laughter of the Dakinis – Dakini Day Chod
 
March 8th, 2021, 1-3pm PT
 
Tibetan Chod Meditation is a practice for letting go of self-deception, facing death and developing radical compassion. 
 

ONLINE OPEN TEACHINGS

*All times are listed in Pacific Time UTC-8 (Timezone Converter)

 The 100 Days of Practice is being extended year round!

Starts Feb 12th, 12pm

Daily Meditation
Join our certified meditation instructors for a short free daily practice online. Each day meditation is followed by conversations about Buddhism.

Thursdays – Through April, 8am
A Course in Valid Cognition with Geshe Sonam
Winter Pramana Study

Feb 22-24, 1-3pm

Ngondro Training
Purifying the Mind: Vajrasattva Meditation & Purification of Karma

Mar 8, 1-3pm

Laughter of the Dakinis: Dakini Day Chod

Meditation and instructions on letting go of fictions and self-deception in Tibetan Chod meditation. 

Mar 17, 6pm

Being with Illness & Dying, with Pema Khandro 

By Donation. A free event open to the public. 

Mar 19-21, 10am-6pm

The Bardo Retreat with Pema Khandro

Pema Khandro will teach on the six bardos, Buddhist instructions for how to live wakefully in the phases of change within our lives. 

Apr 23-25, 10am-6pm

Finding Comfort and Ease

Pema Khandro teachings on Longchenpa’s Finding Comfort and Ease in the nature of mind.

April 25

Dharma Dialogue Series

Pema Khandro and Lama Willa in the Dharma Dialogue Series on Women in Buddhism. 


MEMBERS-ONLY CLASSES

Learn More about Membership
1st and 2nd Wednesdays – Vajrayana Training with Pema Khandro
A study of Buddhist philosophy for students on the path of Vajrayana and Great Perfection (Dzogchen).

3rd and 4th Wednesdays – Ngakpa Training with Pema Khandro
In-depth study of the Ngakpa Tradition for students who have completed pre-requisites. These classes continue the study of Buddhist philosophy examining source texts and discussing the main points of living a Buddhist life. 

DAKINI MOUNTAIN NEWS

Seeking Land Manager for Dakini Mountain

Seeking a land manager for twenty hours a week in exchange for someone who wants to do off grid living with your own self-sustaining mobile home/RV system on Dakini Mountain property and free Buddhist Studies Institute courses. No RV hookups are here but it is the one of the most beautiful places on earth. Applicants must have farm experience, landscaping skills, construction, building knowledge, handyman skills etc, as well as capacity to be self-motivated, self-starting, work with others, take direction well and problem solve. Past experience as well as three employment references are required. Please send your resume, a photo, along with the name and contact for three employment references to Info@DakiniMountain.org.

Do you have Business and/or Real Estate Expertise?

Seeking conversation partners in reshaping the future of Dakini Mountain – seeking to converse with people with experience in real estate and running businesses as we re-vision how Dakini Mountain will take shape during the pandemic and beyond. Contact Info@DakiniMountain.org.

Filed Under: Buddhist Yogis Newsletter Archive

Recent Posts

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  • Dakini Day Chod – This Wednesday April 5, 2021
  • Excellent Path with Pema Khandro March 25, 2021
  • Letter from Pema Khandro March 18, 2021
  • Bardo Teachings – Death in Zen & Dzogchen March 18, 2021

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