Buddhist Studies Institute

The Basic Space of Being

Online Dzogchen Teachings
With Khenpo Yeshi and Pema Khandro

August 4-6, 2023 – Online

10am – 11:30pm San Francisco (PDT)

1pm – 2:30pm New York (EDT)

Join us for this once in a lifetime opportunity!

The Treasury of Basic Space is a manual for meditation and liberation, as well as being a text that one reads to a dying person to introduce them to the nature of mind at death. Read during dying, it offers the crucial support at the most important time, by guiding 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.

Khenpo Ngakchung recalls receiving this transmission from the great Tibetan teacher, Patrul Rinpoche.

…he said, “You are so lucky that you can study sitting down. I received these teachings [alone] from Paltrul Rinpoche at Dzogchen Kangtrod, at the expense of his sleep. If he sat down, he tended to fall asleep because of his advanced age, so I would walk backward holding the text in my hand for him, and he would teach me walking after me. The teachings continued in this way for many days and nights.” He continued, “Since it is said that Choying Dzod is the essence of all teachings, it was Rinpoche’s main meditation manual and it is supposed to be mine, too. Now, you must treasure this teaching in your heart….”

-Khenpo Ngakchung (1879-1941) recalling dialogues with Patrul Rinpoche

The Treasury of Basic Space details the elements of “breakthrough meditation,” (trek cho), instructions which cut through misunderstandings of emptiness and point to the vivid wakefulness of beginningless knowing.

Join Buddhist Studies Institute for this special program taught online by Khenpo Yeshi, Dzogchen Nyingthig scholar and Drikung Kagyu teacher and Dr. Pema Khandro, Dzogchen scholar, lama and lineage holder of the Nyingma tradition. The three days of online classes will include the lung, the oral initiation into this profound text by Khenpo Yeshi, study, and practice led by Khenpo Yeshi and Dr. Pema Khandro.

Tummo Practice

for Vajrayana Training Participants

June 23, 2023 5-5:30pm PST

and

Ngakpa Training Discussion Group 

June 23, 2023 5:30 PM-6:30 PM PST

Lead by De’dzin Drolma and Namkhai Jigdral

Tummo (Tib. གཏུམ་མོ་, Wyl. gtum mo) is the spiritual practice of ‘inner heat’, one of the  the ‘root of the path’ techniques of Tibetan Vajrayana, according to Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

Join De’dzin Drolma and Namkhai Jigdral on the fourth Wednesday of the month for this accent practice that involves raising the body temperature to new levels using a combination of visualization, breathwork, and muscle tensing. 

Paying focused attention to the breath can help beginner and expert meditators by bringing them back to the present moment and reducing the influence of the “monkey mind“.

From True Self to the Bare Fact of Being

Pema Khandro on Waking Up While Facing Crisis

“The idea of non-self is not just a philosophical or abstract issue. Quite practically – it could lead to seeing oneself in a way that fosters adaptability, fluidity and responsiveness.” – Pema Khandro for BuddhaDharma Quarterly

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
Meditation Instructor Training – Jan 21-Jun 16

JUNE

Jun 1-4 – Chod Retreat at Dakini Mountain

Jun 5,12,19 – Teaching in a Multicultural World

Jun 19 – Aug 14 – Ngondro 3 – Mountain of Jewels

Jun 21-Jul 10 – Teachings on Karma

JULY 

July 15-16 – Meditation Instructor Training Retreat & Graduation

AUGUST 

Aug 4-6 – Dzogchen Teachings Online with Khenpo Yeshi & Pema Khandro

Aug 21-Oct 16 – Ngondro 4 – Intrinsic Wisdom

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

Mountain of Jewels

Ngondro Training Module 3 – Online with Pema Khandro

Starts Monday, June 19 – Online

5-6:30pm San Francisco (PDT)

8-9:30pm New York (EDT)

10-11:30am Sydney (AEST)

Join the community for an experience the perfection of wealth, gratitude, and inner resources.

Mountain of Jewels is the course that addresses the mandala offering meditation. This is the practice of discovering our vast resources and abundance through generosity. Through the mandala offering we learn to discover our sense of vast resources, interdependence and connection.

This is part of a series of ngondro meditations. What are Ngondro meditations? Ngondro meditations 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. These are done before engaging in Tantra or Dzogchen practices in order to set a stable foundation.

Because of the self-paced videos that are available, 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 Mountain of Jewels including Mandala Offering, Vajrayogini Practice and the Seven Line Prayer.

Teachings on Karma

with Pema Khandro

June 21st – July 10th, 2023

In its original traditions, meditation practice is shaped by views of karma. This course takes you beyond stereotypes of karma to understand the vision of mind, karma and transformation that led to the development of Buddhist meditation in its indigenous contexts.

Geared towards supporting Meditation Instructors, this class is open to meditation instructors from any tradition, or those interested in teaching meditation. It is also offered as part of the 180-hour Meditation Instructor Training curriculum offered through the Buddhist Studies Institute.

The Basic Space of Being Dzogchen Retreat 
With Pema Khandro and Khenpo Yeshi

August 4-6, 2023 – Online

10am – 11:30pm San Francisco (PDT)

1pm – 2:30pm New York (EDT)

Beyond effort and achievement is the state of natural ease, the basic space of being. How to effortlessly find this innate expanse is the focus of a profound Buddhist text known as The Treasury of Basic Space, The Choying Dzod (chos dbyings rin po che’i mdzod), the quintessential Dzogchen text written by the great fourteenth center Dzogchen master, Longchenpa. It refers to cho ying, the expanse of reality and pure experience of meaningfulness as the revelation of the ground of being.

“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

The Treasury of Basic Space is a manual for meditation and liberation, as well as being a text that one reads to a dying person to introduce them to the nature of mind at death. Read during dying, The Treasury of Basic Space offers the crucial support at the most important time, by guiding 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.

The Treasury of Basic Space details the elements of breakthrough meditation (trek cho), instructions which cut through misunderstandings of emptiness and point to the vivid wakefulness of sublime knowing.

Join Buddhist Studies Institute for this special program taught online by Khenpo Yeshi, Dzogchen Nyingthig scholar and Drikung Kagyu teacher and Dr. Pema Khandro, Dzogchen scholar, lama and lineage holder of the Nyingma tradition. The three days of online classes will include the lung, the oral initiation into this profound text by Khenpo Yeshi, study, and practice led by Khenpo Yeshi and Dr. Pema Khandro.

Tummo Practice

for Vajrayana Training Participants

June 23, 2023 5-5:30pm PST

and

Ngakpa Training Discussion Group

June 23, 2023 5:30 PM-6:30 PM PST

Lead by De’dzin Drolma and Namkhai Jigdral

Tummo (Tib. གཏུམ་མོ་, Wyl. gtum mo) is the spiritual practice of ‘inner heat’, one of the  the ‘root of the path’ techniques of Tibetan Vajrayana, according to Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

Join De’dzin Drolma and Namkhai Jigdral on the fourth Wednesday of the month for this accent practice that involves raising the body temperature to new levels using a combination of visualization, breathwork, and muscle tensing. Paying focused attention to the breath can help beginner and expert meditators by bringing them back to the present moment and reducing the influence of the “monkey mind“.

What is Karma?

pt. 2 with Pema Khandro

Pema Khandro discusses the Tibetan Buddhist idea of Karma in two parts.

Part two focuses on the idea of “karmic vision,” habitual ways of interpreting our world that get in the way of direct communication with reality and direct communication others.

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
Meditation Instructor Training – Jan 21-Jun 16

JUNE

Jun 1-4 – Chod Retreat at Dakini Mountain

Jun 5,12,19 – Teaching in a Multicultural World

Jun 19 – Aug 14 – Ngondro 3 – Mountain of Jewels

Jun 21-Jul 10 – Teachings on Karma

JULY

July 15-16 – Meditation Instructor Training Retreat & Graduation

AUGUST

Aug 4-6 – Annual Dzogchen Retreat Online w/Khenpo Yeshi & Pema Khandro

Aug 21-Oct 16 – Ngondro 4 – Intrinsic Wisdom

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

Teaching Meditation
in a Multicultural World

Mondays 1 – 1:30pm, PDT
June 5, 12, 19, 2023

We are not practicing meditation in a monoculture!

This is not the same world that mindfulness was created in, awareness of race, class, and culture absolutely define the context of your meditation classes. Teaching in a way that minimizes harm requires acute sensitivity of the diversity that is present in your class.

Multicultural awareness involves appreciating the uniqueness of every student and what they can bring to the class. If you are not sure how to make your meditation class inclusive, this training is for you.

This series is led by Dr. Pema Khandro, Aruna Rig’dzin & Dr. Satya.

Geared towards supporting Meditation Instructors, this class is open to:

• Meditation Instructors certified through the Buddhist Studies Institute

• Students currently enrolled in the 180-hour Meditation Instructor Training curriculum offered through the Buddhist Studies Institute.

• Meditation instructors who received their instruction and training through other programs and schools.

Dr. Pema Khandro will teach June 12th  and the focus groups are June 5th and 19th led by Aruna Rig’dzin and Dr. Satya.

Mountain of Jewels

Ngondro Training Module 3 – Online with Pema Khandro

Starts Monday, June 19 – Online

5-6:30pm San Francisco (PDT)

8-9:30pm New York (EDT)

10-11:30am Sydney (AEST)

Mountain of Jewels addresses the mandala offering, the practice of discovering our vast resources and abundance through generosity. Through the mandala offering we learn to discover our sense of vast resources, interdependence and connection.

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 Mountain of Jewels including Mandala Offering, Vajrayogini Practice and the Seven Line Prayer.

Annual Dzogchen Retreat: The Choying Dzod

with Khenpo Yeshi and Pema Khandro Rinpoche

August 4-6, 2023 – Online

10am – 11:30pm San Francisco (PDT)

1pm – 2:30pm New York (EDT)

Don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to receive transmission in one of the most important Dzogchen texts.

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 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.

Why the World Needs Ngakpas

An Introduction to the History of Tibetan Buddhist Yogis – the Ngakpa Lineage by Dr. Pema Khandro

The Ngakpa tradition is important for the future of Buddhism. This tradition has a long history of literature and philosophy that is relevant to male and female practitioners. Buddhism outside institutions developed brilliant resources for a very direct access to spiritual experience and philosophical inquiry. Such practices are tailored towards the complex lives of people with jobs, families, children; it offers resources that a purely monastic celibate Buddhist lineage does not.

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
Meditation Instructor Training – Jan 21-Jun 16

JUNE

Jun 12,19 – Teaching in a Multicultural World

Jun 19 – Aug 14 – Ngondro 3 – Mountain of Jewels

Jun 21-Jul 10 – Teachings on Karma

JULY

July 15-16 – Meditation Instructor Training Retreat & Graduation

AUGUST

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

Aug 21-Oct 16 – Ngondro 4 – Intrinsic Wisdom

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

Dzogchen Chod Retreat with Pema Khandro

At Dakini Mountain, Nevada City, CA

June 1st – 4th, 2023

Chod is a method of reclaiming the profound inner wisdom of fierce compassion.

Chod practice engages every aspect of ones being through prayers, visualizations, meditations, songs, dances and playing instruments. It is famously known for the central visualization of ones death and offering ones corpse to lovingly pacify and liberate demons.

Mornings will focus on the Dzogchen Chod, known as Khandro Geykyang, the Laugher of the Dakinis, the concise version. Pema Khandro will give the transmission, lead the practice sessions and lead workshops on cutting through fear through the secret chod practice.

Midday sessions will focus on Troma practice, the profound deity yoga meditation on the black wrathful dakini from the Jeweled Garland of Chod, (the Rinchen Trengwa).

Evening sessions will focus on the Secret Chod – a path of profound psychological and embodied transformation. It is a direct path to healing through fear done in solitary practice and small community workshops.

This retreat is led by scholar, Lama and Tulku, Pema Khandro. Pema Khandro is a lineage holder of the Nyingma and Kagyu traditions and presents in-depth, traditional study and practice with the expanded perspective that engages the most important questions of our time from a scholar-practitioner’s point of view.

Reviews from Past Chod Retreats & Teachings

What I particularly liked is the very deep and insightful translation of Chod by Pema Khandro with a more western psychological approach, which is hard to decipher. Pema Khandro gave me so much insight in a way I hadn’t had explained before” ~L

“This was a deeply inspiring teaching and practice. I particularly liked Pema Khandro’s ability to make these teachings so clear and accessible to Westerners like myself. She is a gifted teacher and I look forward to learning more.” ~J

“Much gratitude to Rinpoche for a brilliant clarification of the view of the practice and precious pointing out instructions on the nature of mind.” ~M

Lion’s Roar: Pema Khandro Rinpoche recites a prayer to awaken bodhicitta

“…I generate immeasurable love, compassion, joy, and equanimity of the awakened mind, the heart of bodhicitta.” Pema Khandro Rinpoche

This clip was recorded at the Lion’s Roar 2017 Annual Retreat at Garrison Institute “Boundless Love.”

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
Meditation Instructor Training – Jan 21-Jun 16

MAY

May 1-22 – Excellent Path: Bodhisattva’s Way

May 24-Jun 19 – Teaching Meditation in a Multicultural World

JUNE

Jun 1-4 – Chod Retreat at Dakini Mountain

Jun 3- Saga Dawa Celebration

Jun 19 – Aug 14 – Ngondro 3 – Mountain of Jewels

Jun 21-Jul 10 – Teachings on Karma

JULY

July 15-16 – Meditation Instructor Training Finals & Graduation Online

AUGUST

Aug 3-6 – Annual Dzogchen Retreat: The Choying Dzod with Khenpo Yeshi and Pema Khandro

Aug 21-Oct 16 – Ngondro 4 – Intrinsic Wisdom

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

Teaching Meditation in a Multicultural World

Developing Multicultural Awareness

Mondays 1 – 1:30pm, PDT
May 24 & June 5, 12, 19, 2023

Multicultural awareness involves appreciating the uniqueness of every student and what they can bring to the class. If you are not sure how to make your meditation class inclusive, this training is for you.

This series is led by Pema Khandro, Aruna Rig’dzin & Dr. Satya.

Geared towards supporting Meditation Instructors, this class is open to:

• Meditation Instructors certified through the Buddhist Studies Institute

• Students currently enrolled in the 180-hour Meditation Instructor Training curriculum offered through the Buddhist Studies Institute.

• Meditation instructors who received their instruction and training through other programs and schools.

Optional weekly 30-minute Focus Groups offer review and discussion of self-paced coursework and time for fostering community connections.

Chod Retreat with Pema Khandro

at Dakini Mountain Retreat, Nevada City, CA

June 1-4, 2023

The profound method of psychological transformation in esoteric Buddhism is the Chod meditation. Chod is a practice of cutting through to authentic presence through a dynamic meditation involving drumming, chanting, and visualization.

The weekend will be full of group practices including Tsok, Chod dances, and Secret Chod small group sessions. The lung and the teachings will be given by Pema Khandro.

This is the first in-person saga gathering retreat since the pandemic! We will also celebrate Saga Dawa, the birthday and enlightenment day of the Buddha together in person with spiritual community- join us for this profound retreat.

You’re Caught in a Dream. Wake Up!

“As it says in The Dakini’s Heart, we practice meditation to unravel the root of suffering by discovering our mental afflictions are also like dreams. If we aren’t familiar with mind’s dreamlike propensities, we make our afflictions into our reality”. Pema Khandro for Lion’s Roar

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
Meditation Instructor Training – Jan 21-Jun 16

MAY

May 1-22 – Excellent Path: Bodhisattva’s Way

May 24-Jun 19 – Teaching Meditation in a Multicultural World

JUNE

Jun 1-4 – Chod Retreat at Dakini Mountain

Jun 3 – Saga Dawa Celebration

Jun 19 – Aug 14 – Ngondro 3 – Mountain of Jewels

Jun 21-Jul 10 – Teachings on Karma

JULY

July 15-16 – Meditation Instructor Training Practicums & Graduation Online

AUGUST

Aug 3-6 – Annual Dzogchen Retreat: The Choying Dzod with Khenpo Yeshi and Pema Khandro

Aug 21-Oct 16 – Ngondro 4 – Intrinsic Wisdom

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

BODHISATTVA’S WAY
Excellent Path to Enlightenment – Module 3 with Pema Khandro

Short ~ Free ~ Potent

Mondays, May 1st – 22nd, 2023

1-1:30pm San Francisco [PDT]

4-4:30pm New Yorkl [EDT]

9-9:30pm London [BST]

Join Pema Khandro as she teaches Longchenpa’s guide to meditation, translated in the book, Excellent Path to Enlightenment. This text presents the entire scope of the Buddhist view and the path of awakening to one’s own innate sublime knowing. This class is a part a series of free classes on the pillars of Buddhist practice.

Chod Retreat with Pema Khandro

at Dakini Mountain, Nevada City, CA

June 1-4, 2023

Chod is a meditation especially for working with one’s mind in difficult times.

The 2023 Chod retreat is a profound occasion of the sangha gathering for the first in person retreat since the pandemic at the glorious land of Dakini Mountain in the scenic Tahoe National Forest of Northern California. We will also celebrate Saga Dawa, the birthday and enlightenment day of the Buddha together in person with spiritual community!

Aren’t You Supposed To Be Enlightened?

Are we supposed to be “enlightened?” Are we supposed to be perfect? If not, how do we measure our lives as Buddhists? If we are not expecting that, what standards are we holding ourselves to? Pema Khandro answers these questions and when we should be alarmed.

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
Meditation Instructor Training – Jan 21-Jun 16

MAY

May 1-22 – Excellent Path: Bodhisattva’s Way

May 24-Jun 19 – Teaching Meditation in a Multicultural World

JUNE

Jun 1-4 – Chod Retreat at Dakini Mountain

Jun 3  – Saga Dawa Celebration

Jun 19 – Aug 14 – Ngondro 3 – Mountain of Jewels

Jun 21-Jul 10 – Teachings on Karma

JULY

July 15-16 – Meditation Instructor Training Retreat & Graduation

AUGUST

Aug 3-6 – Annual Dzogchen Retreat: The Choying Dzod with Khenpo Yeshi & Pema Khandro

Aug 21-Oct 16 – Ngondro 4 – Intrinsic Wisdom

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

Purifying the Mind

Ngondro Training Module 2 – Online with Pema Khandro

Starts Monday, April 24 – Online

5-6:30pm San Francisco (PDT)

8-9:30pm New York (EDT)

10-11:30am Sydney (AEST)

Have you ever wanted to do something important to you, went through cycles of trying and failing, given up in frustration and then later went back to it and found, to your extreme joy and possibly to your surprise, that, yes, you could do it?

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 “Non dro”) which literally translates as “Before Going.”

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. Module 2, Vajrasattva meditation and purification of karma, is a highly effective practice. It’s an education that teaches you the attitudes, mindset and ways of a successful practitioner.

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.

Chod Retreat

At Dakini Mountain with Pema Khandro

June 1st – 4th, 2023

Chod is the profound method of psychological transformation in esoteric Buddhism. Chod means cutting, referring to cutting through fictions to authentic presence.

Tsok, Chod dances and Secret Chod small group sessions will take place throughout the weekend, with transmissions and teachings from Pema Khandro.

This is a profound occasion of the sangha gathering for the first in person retreat since the pandemic at the glorious land of Dakini Mountain in the scenic Tahoe National Forest of Northern California. We will also celebrate Saga Dawa, the birthday and enlightenment day of the Buddha together in person with spiritual community!

Ngakpa Training

5pm PST April 26, 2023

For students enrolled in Ngakpa Training, we will have a Ngakpa Training with Pema Khandro on April 26th and a discussion group to talk about key parts of our reading from the Treasury of Words and Meaning to follow.

Impermanence, Illness, and Health Podcast

Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo and Pema Khandro Rinpoche

Author, teacher, and founder of the Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery, Tenzin Palmo has a frank discussion with fellow teacher and scholar, Pema Khandro Rinpoche about what advice Buddhism has to offer about health and illness during a time of pandemic. Tenzin Palmo also shares what she’s learned about suffering and gratitude while on solitary retreat in a Himalayan cave for 12 years, and what she did after.

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
Meditation Instructor Training – Jan 21-Jun 16

APRIL

Apr 7-9 –  Chakrasamvara Empowerment & Teachings

Apr 24-Jun 12 – Ngondro 2 – Purifying the Mind

MAY

May 1-22 – Excellent Path: Bodhisattva’s Way

May 24-Jun 19 – Teaching Meditation in a Multicultural World

JUNE

Jun 1-4 – Chod Retreat at Dakini Mountain

Jun 3 – Saga Dawa Celebration

Jun 19 – Aug 14 – Ngondro 3 – Mountain of Jewels

Jun 21-Jul 10 – Teachings on Karma

JULY

July 15-16 – Meditation Instructor Training Retreat & Graduation

AUGUST

Aug 3-6 – Annual Dzogchen Retreat Online w/Khenpo Yeshi & Pema Khandro

Aug 21-Oct 16 – Ngondro 4 – Intrinsic Wisdom

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

Entering the Heart of the Vast Expanse

Ngondro Training Module 2: Purifying the Mind

Starts Monday, April 24 – Online

5-6:30pm San Francisco (PDT)

8-9:30pm New York (EDT)

10-11:30am Sydney (AEST)

Join an international community on a profound journey into the heart of Vajrasattva meditation.

Vajrasattva is a transformative process of inner change and interpersonal healing. This meditation is used for clearing unprocessed experiences and past misdeeds and making amends for wrong doing.

Ngondro are the foundational tantric buddhist meditation practices. They include prayers, rituals, visualizations and meditations for purifying, training and empowering the body and mind.

Testimonials From Recent Ngondro Grads

“What a precious opportunity it has been to receive the transmissions, dharma teachings and practices of the Longchen Nyingtig Ngondro from Pema Khandro Rinpoche! Having completed Longchen Nyingtig Ngondro even just once has been foundational to my life and my practices.” ~K

“Being able to persevere and go beyond so many limitations in both body and mind, and through that glimpsing some profound potentials of the path. This entire year has been my refuge, the practice will continue to reverberate even once I complete the recitations, and I think that it’s given me an orientation for my life going forward.” ~C

“This was such a great experience that it made me think a lot about the possibility of this practice, of the high level of beauty, magic, integrity, and tenderness – all of it’s there. It is a better world. It’s a world that I can go to and that’s really like a refuge. I didn’t know what a difference I would feel when I started this. The shimmering of life is dulled down for all these weird reasons, and this is a great remedy for that.” ~I

“I got a lot more kindness for myself, which I was in need of. I built a digital Sangha. The words that I’m saying at the beginning [refuge], were just words, and now feel true, it’s such a warm, lovely feeling, and it makes me excited to keep learning and exploring my practice.” ~G

“Deep and rich, in so many dimensions – to be practicing either literally or just in daily experience, it’s very meaningful and significant, and I felt a lot of growth through that.“ ~R

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.

Dzogchen Chod Retreat with Pema Khandro

At Dakini Mountain Retreat, Nevada City, CA

June 1st – 4th, 2023

Chod is a Tibetan meditation which is a potent, dynamic practice for cutting through fear and facing death. It is a practice of healing through ultimate compassion.

Mornings will focus on the Dzogchen Chod, known as Khandro Geykyang, the Laugher of the Dakinis, the concise version. Pema Khandro will give the transmission, lead the practice sessions and lead workshops on cutting through fear through the secret chod practice.

Midday sessions will focus on Troma practice, the profound deity yoga meditation on the black wrathful dakini from the Jeweled Garland of Chod, (the Rinchen Trengwa).

Evening sessions will focus on the Secret Chod – a path of profound psychological and embodied transformation. It is a direct path to healing through fear done in solitary practice and small community workshops.

Lion’s Roar: Be Kind To Yourself

with Pema Khandro

“You have enlightened nature,” Pema Khandro Rinpoche.

If we visualize in meditation that our body-mind is a landscape of buddhas, we are motivated to attend to it compassionately.

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
Meditation Instructor Training – Jan 21-Jun 16

APRIL

Apr 7-9 –  Chakrasamvara Empowerment & Teachings

Apr 24-Jun 12 – Ngondro 2 – Purifying the Mind

MAY

May 1-22 – Excellent Path: Bodhisattva’s Way

May 24-Jun 19 – Teaching Meditation in a Multicultural World

JUNE

Jun 1-4 – Chod Retreat at Dakini Mountain

Jun 19 – Aug 14 – Ngondro 3 – Mountain of Jewels

Jun 21-Jul 10 – Teachings on Karma

JULY

July 15-16 – Meditation Instructor Training Retreat & Graduation

AUGUST

Aug 3-6 – Annual Dzogchen Retreat Online w/ Khenpo Yeshi & Pema Khandro

Aug 21-Oct 16 – Ngondro 4 – Intrinsic Wisdom

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*All Times are noted in Pacific Time (PT) – Check your Timezone