• Entering the Heart of the Vast Expanse

    2025 Ngondro Training
    Online with Pema Khandro
    Begins January 27th

    Register Now

Longchen Nyingthig Ngondro

Entering the Heart of the Vast Expanse

Practice Liberation

Establish a Solid Foundation for Your Life

Strengthen your Compassion for Self, Others & Your World

Practice Ngondro in a Supportive Community

Build your life on a solid foundation.
Ngondro presents the core practices of Buddhist psychology, working with core needs in identity, relationality, forgiveness and repair, resources and the sense of empowerment. Join Pema Khandro and the Buddhist Studies Institute for a journey into Ngondro, the core practice of Buddhist tantra.

The Tantric Preliminaries- Find Your Way to the Vajra World
The traditional training in Tibetan tantra begins with the series of profound meditations known as ngondro. They offer a reorientation of the body and mind, an opening into a greater sense of oneself, ones purpose and ones resources in an interconnected world built in altruism.

The ngondro series presents all the core practices that permeate Vajrayana, the path of esoteric Buddhism, including refuge, bodhichitta, mandala offering, deity yoga and empowerment.

Ngondro is meant to be done in a community.
Join an international group of like minded travelers on a profound journey into the heart of Vajrayana meditation.

Ngondro meditation is the foundation of a solid experience of spiritual growth. Ngondro refers to a series of meditation practices for purifying, training and empowering the mind & body. 

Ngondro means ‘before going.’ In traditional Vajrayana practice, it represents the cognitive, physical, emotional and philosophical components which are keys to the practice of liberation. It is the basis for all Vajrayana practice and thus it is used as a the pre-requisite for the great practices of the Vajrayana tradition. However, ngondro itself is a beloved meditation series for its own sake. It is often practiced many times throughout a life cycle by great yogis of the Nyingma tradition such as Patrul Rinpoche (eighteenth century). 

Without proper instruction ngondro can be incredibly complex and difficult. This course offers a simple, thorough, direct and supported experience of ngondro – making the heart essence of Vajrayana accessible for serious practitioners.

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 that prepares for the path of Dzogchen. It is also known as the Longchen Nyingthig, (klong chen snying thig) Ngondro. This is a cycle revealed by the brilliant eighteenth century Buddhist yogi, Jigme Lingpa, poet, leader, historian, and treasure revealer, whose texts synthesize the teachings of Nyingma luminary, Longchenpa.

Pema Khandro offers 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. Join the Ngondro Training at the first Live Webinar Class of any module. Get support to accomplish the mantra accumulations with a weekly online practice group and an accountability partner. Find clarity by bringing questions to a live monthly class with Pema Khandro.

Each module of the Ngondro course offers the instructions and guided practice for the four major sections of the ngondro.

  1. Field of Buddhas. This module focuses on the purification of speech as the basis for Buddhist tantric practice. It then focuses on generating the refuge field. This is a practice of getting resourced, learning one’s own lineage and understanding the field of support for one’s spiritual journey. This section concludes with a focus on raising the altruistic, enlightened intent, bodhichitta. Bodhichitta is the ground, the fuel and purpose of life and it is the essential ingredient in tantric meditations.
  2. Purifying the Mind. This module focuses on clearing karma. It contains one of the most important practices of Buddhist tantra – Vajrasattva meditation. This includes a clearing of unprocessed experiences and past misdeeds through the meditation and making amends for wrong doing. Vajrasattva mantras and meditation are introduced and instructed.
  3. Mountain of Jewels. This module focuses on the ultimate form of the defining Buddhist principles of letting go and interdependence. The module focuses on the mandala offering, a body- mind practice with mantra, visualization and mudras, to release all neurotic grasping in a practice of radical generosity.
  4. Intrinsic Wisdom. This module focuses on the key theme of Vajrayana, which is empowerment, to experience the power of the indestructible buddhanature within oneself. It begins with Vajrayogini meditation and the seven line prayer, a prayer used widely in the Nyingma tradition to supplicate the awakened mind. This is followed by the guru yoga meditation and merging into Buddhahood.

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.

Ngondro requires transmission/initiation in order to begin the practice. The oral transmission will be given by Pema Khandro at the beginning of the live class.

Practice text for the essential ngondro will be provided.

Suggested text: Longchen Nyingthig Preliminaries, The Excellent Path to Omniscience by Jigme Trinley Ozer. A Rich Collection of Texts, Commentaries and Prayers for the Practice. Tony Duff.

4 Modules of Training

Philosophy – Self Paced

Weekly Practice Support

Quarterly Webinars with Pema Khandro

Module 1

The Field of Buddhas

January 27 2025

Purification of Speech

Generating A Refuge Field

Raising Enlightened Intent

Module 2

Purifying the Mind

April 14 2025

Vajrasattva Meditation

Purification of Karma

Module 3

Mountain of Jewels

June 30 2025

Mandala Offering

Vajrayogini Practice

Seven Line Prayer

Module 4

Intrinsic Wisdom

Sept 8 2025

Receiving the Four Empowerments

Merging into Buddhahood

  • Detailed Instruction and Self-Paced Courses for each Module with Pema Khandro
  • Live Classes with Pema Khandro to kick off each Module ~  5-6:30p PST/8-9:30p EST
  • Live Online Weekly Practice Group with Tsal’gyur Dorje ~ Mondays 5-6pm PST/8-9pm EST
  • No Classes on Major Holidays

Tuition 

General Tuition (by Jan 20): $799

Late Registration (after Jan 20): $899

Pay Per Module: $275

50% Discount available for Snow-Lion Members & Returning Participants: $399.50 ($99.88/Module)*

*Members Apply Discount “Coupon Codes” at Checkout,

*Returning Participants email info@buddhiststudiesinstitute.org for more info


Financial Aid 

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, Financial Aid is available at “Per Module” registration and offers 50% off: $137.50 per Module. Applications must be received in advance: Financial-Aid Application

  • Pay Per Module
  • $275Per Module
  • Live Online Training with Pema Khandro
  • 1 Year Access to Recordings
  • Buy All Four Modules Together and Save $301
  • Annual Meeting with Pema Khandro
  • Whole Training Discount
  • $799
    Whole Training
  • Live Online Training with Pema Khandro
  • 1 Year Access to Recordings
  • Buy All Four Modules Together and Save $301
  • Annual Meeting with Pema Khandro
  • Free with All Access Pass
  • $250
    Per Month
  • Live Online Training with Pema Khandro
  • 3 Year Access to Recordings
  • ALL-ACCESS PASS: Access to full Online Teachings Library and all Live and Online Open Teachings, Classes, Retreats, Trainings, and Events.
  • Annual Meeting with Pema Khandro

Prerequisites & Requirements

  • The Lung will be given in the Live Webinar Class for each module, so no prerequisites or previous empowerments necessary to begin the Ngondro training.
  • Maintenance of a harmonious relationship with Instructors, Pema Khandro, co-leaders, and student community at the Buddhist Studies Institute.
  • Ability to cover tuition and practice of Dana (teaching offering) in support of all program components.
  • Psychological health and stability: a history of emotional maturity and personal development, psychological development

Consistency of Conduct

The Buddhist Studies Institute promotes observation of Buddhist ethics, maintaining personal discipline and observing practices necessary for suitable health throughout the training.

  • Embodying Buddhist principles:
    • Generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, compassion, equanimity.
    • Respect for and harmony with teachers and sangha.
  • Ethical integrity:
    • Upholding the five precepts and Commitment to Buddhist ethics.
    • Maintaining sobriety (in terms of being free from substance addictions).
    • Refraining from sexual misconduct. The Buddhist Studies Institute follows a zero tolerance for abuse policy.
    • Refraining from hate speech (including hate speech on social media).
  • Respect for diversity:
    • Respect towards other religious views, expressing kindness towards all beings regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation or sectarian affiliation; respect for all types of Buddhism.

About Membership

Membership is an expression of generosity and support. Our non-profit organization is supported by a combination of tuition from courses, monthly membership and individual donations. However, our monthly membership pledges are the major source of funding that provide the steady basis of support. Through these pledges, we plan our courses and maintain our operating expenses.

Membership is a way to connect. Membership pledges also create a network of sangha members who support our mission and keep in touch with the heart of our community. Member-only events offer a way to connect events in person and online, as well as events with guest teachers. Member letters from Pema Khandro Rinpoche and a member-only online library offer inspiration and learning. Membership links up like minded people through online discussion groups, email groups and community building member events.

Snow Lion Membership Benefits

  • Support Non-Profit Buddhist Education
  • Member-Only Events
  • Bi-Annual Member Letter from Pema Khandro
  • Open Teaching Recordings:
    • Guided Meditation Series
    • Excellent Path to Enlightenment: Module 1
    • Transforming Fear
    • Dakini Day Chod
  • Digital Download: Presence as the Path – First Year Meditation Manual
  • 50% Discount on all Retreats
  • Self-Paced Courses:
    • Buddhist Ethics
    • Sutra Tantra Dzogchen
    • Tibetan Dream Yoga
    • Medicine Buddha
  • *ONLINE ACCESS PASS: Access to all Online Recordings
  • Eligible for Vajrayana Training Bi-Monthly Live Online Modules & Recordings
  • Become a Snow Lion

Sustainer Membership Benefits

  • Support Non-Profit Buddhist Education
  • Member-Only Events
  • Bi-Annual Member Letter from Pema Khandro
  • Open Teaching Recordings:
    • Guided Meditation Series
    • Excellent Path to Enlightenment: Module 1
    • Transforming Fear
    • Dakini Day Chod
  • Digital Download: Presence as the Path – First Year Meditation Manual
  • 100% Discount on Trainings & Residential Retreats
  • Self-Paced Courses:
    • Buddhist Ethics
    • Sutra Tantra Dzogchen
    • Tibetan Dream Yoga
    • Medicine Buddha
  • *ONLINE ACCESS PASS: Access to all Online Recordings
  • Eligible for Vajrayana Training Bi-Monthly Live Online Modules & Recordings
  • *Free Tuition on Retreats:
    • Vajrayana Retreat
    • Dzogchen Retreat
    • Chod Retreat
    • Bliss Retreat
    • Vajra Sangha Retreat
  • *Free Tuition on Trainings:
    • Vajrayana Training
    • Empathy Training
    • Ngakpa Training
  • Annual Meeting with Pema Khandro
  • Become a Sustainer

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