Wishing you an auspicious and Happy Guru Rinpoche Day!
“The preliminary practices are truly the foundation of all our Dharma practice. [In Dzogchen,] we have this very high view, but everything is based on the preliminary practices. If the Dzogchen view is like a fire, the preliminary practices are like the wood that feeds the fire. They are only going to help your realization of Dzogchen.
As you practice the preliminary practices, you’ll have greater faith in the Three Jewels. Your belief in and attention to karma, to cause and effect, will grow. You’ll develop greater compassion for sentient beings. All of these qualities will increase within your mind. You’ll cultivate the two accumulations [of merit and wisdom]. You’ll purify your mind, and the wisdom realization of your lama will shift to your mind, and you will discover your own indwelling, original enlightenment, that which has always existed. You will not attain an enlightenment coming from outside of you, but rather discover the original enlightenment already within you, through the process of these preliminary practices.
Why are there so few good practitioners these days? Why do they have so many obstacles? It’s through not having taken the Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind—the precious human birth, impermanence, karma’s cause and effect, and the sufferings of samsara—to heart. So many obstacles are coming from that alone. Therefore, it is essential to take these Four Thoughts to heart. You can read about them in “The Words of my Perfect Teacher” and so many other texts on the preliminary practices. This point is really so essential.”
Due to the Vajrayana Foundation’s annual Summer Retreat, the monthly Dudjom Ngondro schedule will be temporarily adjusted. We warmly invite you to join us for this special retreat—either in person at Pema Osel Ling or via livestream. It’s a wonderful opportunity to deepen your connection to the Dudjom Tersar lineage and engage in transformative practice with our sangha.
As part of the June Ngondro Program offerings, participants will receive streaming links for the following events:
• Troma Ngondro Accumulation Sessions
Two sessions daily, June 9–11
9:00–10:45 AM and 2:30–4:15 PM (PDT)
• Collection of Seven Treasures: Guru Rinpoche Empowerment
June 27, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM (PDT)
Bestowed by His Holiness Kyabje Dungse Namgyal Dawa Rinpoche
• Collection of Seven Treasures: First Teaching of eight
June 28, beginning at 11:45 AM (PDT)
Please watch your email for access details.
The Vajrayana Foundation 36th Annual Summer Retreat offerings:
June 2 – 7: Tseyang Khatrod — Six days of practice focused on the profound liberation instructions of Tseyang Khatrod, emphasizing clarity and fearless awareness. Learn More
June 12 – 20: Troma Nagmo — A nine-day immersion in the fierce compassion of Troma Nagmo, revealing the clarity of mind through cutting attachment. Learn More
June 23 – July 2: Shitro — A complete cycle of practice for the peaceful and wrathful deities, supporting the living and the dead through the bardo. Learn More
July 5 – 13: Guru Rinpoche Drupchen — A powerful group ritual invoking Guru Rinpoche to generate vast merit and awaken compassion through mantra, mudra, and sacred sound. Learn More
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