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.