• Cutting Through Fear

    Dzogchen Chod Retreat with Pema Khandro

Cutting Through Fear

Dzogchen Chod Retreat with Tulku Pema Khandro

San Diego and Online

May 28 – June 1

Plus Optional 5-Month Comprehensive Chod Training June 9 – October 13

Dzogchen Chod Retreat – San Diego and Online

In a world beset with fear, profound methods are needed to reclaim intrinsic wisdom and awaken innate courage. Join Pema Khandro and the Buddhist Studies institute for a contemplation of fierce compassion through the annual Chod retreat, Troma Nagmo teachings, and an optional five month Comprehensive Chod intensive training to follow. Chod is the profound method of psychological transformation in esoteric Buddhism. Chod means cutting, referring to cutting through the fictions that cause fear, anxiety, and hesitations in one’s life. 

5-Month Comprehensive Chod Training

There will also be the possibility to engage in a certificate Chod Training held online June 9 – October 13th. The Chod retreat is a prerequisite. Those who miss the retreat live can still take the Chod Training by also taking the next Chod retreat in March of 2026. Advanced Chod Practitioner Certificate bestowed upon completion of all training requirements. Learn more about Chod Training here:  https://buddhiststudiesinstitute.org/chod-training/

The Dzogchen Chod Tradition

This is a Tibetan meditation which is a potent, dynamic practice for cutting through fear and facing death. It works with fear through meeting one’s own past with compassion. Teachings included in the retreat:

  • Three Dakinis Chod from the Rinchen Trenga.
  • Teachings from the Troma tantra, one of the seventeen tantras of the original Dzogchen Nyingthig corpus. This is an untranslated work only available in Tibetan. Khandro-la has been translating and teaching a chapter every year, offering for students to investigate the classical teachings of Troma Nagmo from a historical and practical perspective.
  • Troma practice, the profound deity yoga meditation on the black wrathful dakini from the Jeweled Garland of Chod, (the Rinchen Trengwa). Pema Khandro will give the transmission, lead the practice sessions and lead workshops on cutting through fear through the secret chod practice.
  • Dzogchen Chod, known as Khandro Geykyang, the Laugher of the Dakinis, the concise version as taught by Pema Khandro. Students will chant in English and Tibetan to connect with the lineage and integrate the meaning.
  • Secret Chod – a path of profound psychological and embodied transformation. It is a direct path to healing through fear.
Secret Chod – Cutting Through Psychological Fears
Rinchen Trengwa - Three Dakini Chod
Dzogchen Chod – Laugher of the Dakinis
Teachings from the Troma Tantra

Retreat Schedule

*All times listed in Pacific Daylight Time PDT (UTC-7)

Wed May 28
4pm Check-in [in-person only]
5:30-7:30pm Lung and Opening Ceremony [hybrid]

Thu May 29
10am-6pm Chod Retreat [hybrid]

Fri May 30
10am-6pm Chod Retreat [hybrid]

Sat May 31
10am-3pm Chod Retreat [hybrid]
5pm-10pm Dinner, Celebration and Talent Show [in-person only]

Sun Jun 1
12pm-3pm Chod in the Wild & Closing ceremony [in-person only]

San Diego In-Person Logistics

Lodging is limited. Please list your top three choices on the registration page where prompted and we will do our best to accommodate you. If signing up with another person for a shared bed, please also list the name of the person you are sharing a bed with. We will send a separate invoice for lodging post-registration.

Lodging Type Single Total Shared Total
Premium Ladies Dorm w/en suite bath (4-6) King 850 425 ea
Queen 600 300 ea
Single 300
Couch 200
Private Queen Bedroom (1-2) Queen 700 350 ea
Co-ed dorm (4-7) Queen 500 250 ea
Queen 500 250 ea
Queen 500 250 ea
Single 250
Premium Shared Bedroom (3-4) w/en suite bath Queen 600 300 ea
Single 300
Couch 200
Bedroll – Teaching Space Twin Bed Single 150
Commuting Commuting 100

Meals are not included in the price of tuition. However, they are mandatory for residential participation. Meals will be catered, organic whenever possible, mostly vegetarian and vegan with gluten-free, dairy-free options and sugar-free options. Meals will cost approximately $14-19 per meal for 11 meals. Payment for meals will be collected upon check-in at the retreat.

Please bring clothing layers and plan for both cold and heat. San Diego weather is unpredictable but should be warm. You will need clothes you feel comfortable moving in and sitting in for meditation sessions. On Saturday night, everyone dresses up in their beautiful clothing for the Tsok feast! There is also a jacuzzi and heated pool so please bring a suit and towel to enjoy a swim!

Chod is a dynamic practice performed with traditional Vajrayana instruments, the drum, bell and vajra. If you do not have these, you can purchase high quality ones directly from the Buddhist Studies Institute.. Contact info@buddhiststudiesinstitute.org to make your reservation for your items in advance, supplies are limited to those who pre-register for their instruments.

Those staying residential will each take a seva (volunteer help) position throughout the retreat to maintain a clean and serene group retreat environment. Seva sign-up will take place at check-in. 

The Lineage Holder and Teacher

Tulku Pema Khandro Ph.D is an internationally renowned teacher and scholar of Buddhist philosophy. She is the founder of Ngakpa International and its three projects, The Buddhist Studies Institute, Dakini Mountain, and the Yogic Medicine Institute. In her work as a Buddhist teacher, she is an authorized Lama and lineage holder of the Nyingma and Kagyu traditions and was enthroned to carry on the lineage of her predecessor, the first Pema Khandro, an early twentieth-century yogini from Eastern Tibet, whose primary practices where Dzogchen and Chod.

Pema Khandro has led a vibrant worldwide community since 1999. Through the Buddhist Studies Institute, she also offers a complete curriculum of training in Tibetan meditation and Buddhist Philosophy. She has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, a Master’s degree specializing in Tibetan studies, and a Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies from the University of Virginia. Today she is a professor of Buddhist studies. Her scholarly research focuses on the history of Dzogchen and on Women in Tibetan Buddhism.

Tuition

Cutting Through Fear: Dzogchen Chod Retreat

In-Person Tuition*
(lodging, meals and dana are separate)

  • Early Enrollment by 4/20 – $695
  • General by 5/20 – $770
  • Late Registration by 5/28 – $845

Online-Only Tuition*

  • Online Early Enrollment by 4/20 – $525
  • Online General by 5/20 – $595
  • Online Late Registration by 5/28 – $670

*Member Discounts apply at checkout

5-month Comprehensive Chod Training

Tuition – Intensive Study & Certificate Program

  • General Registration open through May 9 – $2100
  • Late Registration May 10 – June 9 – $2300

Member Tuition – Special Pricing for Intensive Study & Certificate Programs

  • Snow Lion ($150/month): 50% off General Curriculum, 25% off Intensive Study & Certificate Programs
  • Sustainer ($250/month): 100% off General Curriculum, 40% off Intensive Study & Certificate Programs
  • Monthly Member dues must remain in good standing for the duration of the Intensive Study program in order to be certified

Combined Retreat and Training

Best Value

For those who wish for the immersive Chod experience and mastery training, the best value is the Sustainer Membership option.

  • Free Tuition for Chod Retreat (lodging, meals and dana not included)
  • $1260 Enrollment fee for Comprehensive Chod Training and Advanced Chod Practitioner Certificate
  • $250/month membership dues in good standing for duration of programs
  • All Access Pass benefits maintained
  • CHOD RETREAT: ONLINE ONLY
  • $525
  • Online Early Enrollment by 4/20 – $525
  • Online General by 5/20 – $595
  • Online Late Registration by 5/28 – $670
  • Member Discounts apply at checkout
  • *Dana not included
  • Register for Online Retreat

  • CHOD RETREAT: IN PERSON – SAN DIEGO
  • $695
  • Early Enrollment by 4/20 – $695
  • General by 5/20 – $770
  • Late Registration by 5/28 – $845
  • Member Discounts apply at checkout
  • *Lodging, meals and dana not included
  • Register for In-Person Retreat

  • SUSTAINER – COMBINED RETREAT + TRAINING
  • $1260
  • Become a Sustainer Today = Free Tuition for Chod Retreat
  • $1260 Enrollment fee for Comprehensive Chod Training and Certificate
  • $250/month membership dues plus All Access Pass Benefits maintained
  • Monthly Member dues must remain in good standing for the duration of the Intensive Study program in order to be certified
  • *Lodging, meals and dana not included
  • Sustainer Member: Retreat + Training

Financial Aid Considerations: The course costs are set at a minimum fee already, with financial aid built into all tuition rates. Because we are a non-profit organization, the costs of all activities and overhead of our organization must be covered by the participants of the courses or donations and all courses are offered at below cost. For those who are experiencing genuine financial hardship and wish to enroll in the course for the online version, Financial Aid applications are available. Financial Aid applies only to tuition and cannot be applied to lodging, food, or lama donations. Applications must be received in advance. Programs are always free for monastics.  Financial Aid Application: https://forms.gle/xwYaTamt2autMLKa

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