“The Dudjom Tersar lineage is fresh, vivid, direct, and with no loss of meaning, words or blessing. These teachings, coming from Guru Rinpoche to Dudjom Rinpoche, and then to us, is a direct short lineage. Therefore, because this lineage is uncontaminated and knows no degeneration by broken samayas, the blessing and attainments are immediate”.   

~ Words of Lama Tharchin Rinpoche

Hearing a recording of Lama Tharchin’s introduction to the Ngondro of the Dudjom Tersar, and feeling the dedication and genuine wish of Lama Tharchin to share with all perhaps the greatest treasure of a human birth, was as kindling to me to take up the practice of the Dudjom Tersar Ngondro. 

From the beginning, the care and concern of the Lamas, facilitators and mentors of the Dudjom Tersar at Pema Osel Ling made it impossible to resist making a commitment to practice.  In so many ways, taking up the practice has felt continually easeful, never tedious or contrived, and always seems to open doors and clarify things in both inner and outer worlds, in inconceivable ways. 

Also from the beginning, an understanding has dawned that the Ngondro will never end, fortunately so, as it now serves every day to stabilize practice and give an orientation for every moment of life.

This past week, my wife Felicia and I had the precious opportunity to visit Pema Osel Ling, and take part in the long life ceremony of Yangsi Gyana Ta Rinpoche, whose previous incarnation helped to deeply root the Dudjom Tersar in the care of Lama Tharchen and Lama Sonam.  Thinley Norbu’s voice and devotion resound on the recorded sung verses of the Ngondro that is the brief daily practice, and that  turns attention directly towards the lineage of Guru Rinpoche and the Ngondro practice that brings us to union with his enlightened intent and benefit to our present world.

The Red Dorje Drolo Stupa Mandala at Pema Osel Ling is dedicated to Dorje Drolo, a “crazy wisdom” manfestation of Guru Rinpoche who vowed to guide and bless us during the intensity of our present world conditions.  The Stupa Mandala radiates peace, sanity and the ability to attain a stability in a chaotic world: the same soothing balm that comes from the Dudjom Tersar Concise Ngondro practice.

Testimonial by Charles Smith who finished his Dudjom Tersar Ngondro in the Fall of 2024

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