summer retreat

If the Dzogchen view is like a fire, the preliminary practices are like the wood that feeds the fire…

~ DudjomTersarNgondro
An offering from Heart Teachings by Lama Tharchin for Guru Rinpoche Day, June 5th, 

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.”

– Lama Tharchin Rinpoche, Annual Trekchod Retreat, Spring 2007
Image from Heart Teachings video, Pema Osel Ling, March 24, 2007

 

2016 Annual Summer Retreat with Chakung Jigme Wangdrak Rinpoche and Gyepa Rinpoche 

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

Vajrayana Foundation 28th Drupchen Annual Summer Retreat

~ DudjomTersarNgondro
Guru Rinpoche, sculpted by Kyabje Dugnse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche
Pema Osel Ling Shrine Room, Santa Cruz Mountains

June 12-20 – Troma Nagmo with Lama Sonam Tsering Rinpoche
June 21-27 – Black Hayagriva with Tulku Thadral Rinpoche
June 28-30 – Shitro Ngakso
July 3-11 – Drupchen and Children’s Retreat

REGISTER HERE

“Summer Retreat is our Dharma Party, where we gather together. It makes me happy. It also makes HH Dudjom Rinpoche and Kyabje Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche happy because even though their physical body is not with us, their wisdom mind is always watching from Dharmakaya and their compassion and penetration of wisdom blessings is continuous. With practice, teachings, faith and devotion, their wisdom blessings penetrate deeply so we can truly hit the target. I am encouraging all of you to come to Summer Retreat.”  

 

~Lama Tharchin Rinpoche

Lama Tharchin Rinpoche began Vajrayana Foundation’s annual month-long Summer Retreat over 25 years ago as his main vehicle for passing the Dudjom Tersar practices on to the Sangha. In this, he was tirelessly assisted by resident lamas, Lama Sonam Tsering Rinpoche and Tulku Jamyang Rinpoche, who continue to carry out Rinpoche’s intentions to this day.


Summer Retreat is open to everyone.  You are welcome to come for the entire Summer, a single retreat, a few days or a couple of sessions — as your schedule allows — either as a commuter or as an onsite guest.

Daily Schedule

 

Invitation from Lama Sonam Rinpoche

~ DudjomTersarNgondro

image
John and Lama Sonam Rinpoche

Lama Sonam Rinpoche asked us to send a message to all of you regarding our upcoming Summer Retreat, June 14 – July 14. This annual summer gathering of our sangha has been going on since 1989. It was started by Lama Tharchin Rinpoche who called it our sangha’s “dharma party”. The Summer Retreat is usually one month long and during that time we do several short retreats. You are invited to come for any length of time, one session, one day, one week or the entire month. Lama Sonam Rinpoche has requested you to try and come to help with preparations and immerse yourself in a rich and deep dharma experience.
 
We will do the Ngondro practice everyday but the focus of the retreat will be on other aspects of Vajrayana practices. For the first week we will be practicing and accumulating the Troma Ngondro and receiving teachings from Sangye Khandro, a extraordinary western practitioner and translator. The teachings are basic to any Ngondro and can be applied to your practice.
NOTE: This Troma retreat is restricted for those who have had a Troma Empowerment.

The following retreat sessions will be taught by Lama Sonam Rinpoche and various guest Lamas, of which there are usually many.

The second retreat session will be a Black Hayagriva practice. This practice is said to be a profound healing practice for serious illness and for removing obscurations. There will be a two day Shitro practice for purifying broken samaya.  Geypa Rinpoche will be giving  a Troma empowerment on July 2nd. Finally, the last portion of the retreat will be our annual Drupchen, which is a profound practice in which the Vajra Guru mantra is recited continuously day and night for nine days. There are 6 practice sessions that are divided up in the day and night. The retreat is very powerful and is said to be the equivalent of doing a one year retreat.

Lama Sonam Rinpoche has expressed the desire to see all of you integrating with the Vajrayana Foundation sangha, meeting fellow practitioners and deepening your experience of the dharma. Participating in the retreat will certainly inspire your practice and help you to build friendships and a network of support.  You will have the opportunity to meet amazing Lamas and receive profound teachings. You will learn about ritual and depending on your interest, how to make tormas, play instruments, prepare ritual substances, and sacred dances.
 
The retreat is held at our Pema Osel Ling retreat center in the Santa Cruz mountains. The property has been blessed by many wonderful Lamas, such as H.H. Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, Namkai Drime Rinpoche, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, and most recently Khenchen Tsultrim Lodro Rinpoche. You can camp or stay in cabins, eat delicious meals and spend time in a beautiful environment with redwoods, stupas, ponds, birds, and deer.
 
All are welcome. We operate on a sliding scale, depending on your circumstances. Offerings are encouraged for your own benefit, and no one is ever turned away for lack of money.
 
If you have children, we do have a children’s retreat during Drupchen. Please let me know if you want more information about that.
 
You can read more about the retreat at the Vajrayana Foundation website.
 
We hope we will see you there.
 
Your Dharma friends,
Regina and Stefan


The Dudjom Tersar Ngondro Program
of the Vajrayana Foundation at Pema Osel Ling
TEL: (760) 89LAMA0   (760-895-2620)
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SAVE THE DATES ~~~> June 14 – July 14
2016 Annual Summer Retreat at Pema Osel Ling 
 
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