A NEW INTRODUCTION TO NGÖNDRO – ONLINE RETREAT

Available from 20 May to 14 July – open to all Rigpa Mandala students interested in the preliminary practices of Vajrayana Buddhism, based on Rigpa’s new study and practice path

This online retreat is for those who wish to explore the Vajrayana preliminary practices of Ngöndro and get a taste of the depth and transformative power of Vajrayana practice.

It is especially recommended for anyone who is completely new to Ngöndro practice but is also very relevant for those who are already practising the Ngöndro and would like to spark their inspiration. If you follow the complete event you will be eligible to attend the summer Ngöndro Practice Retreat with Neten Chökling Rinpoche at Lerab Ling.

Like all other Buddhist practices, the aim of the Ngöndro is to transform the mind so that we come back to our true nature. As a preliminary to Vajrayana, the Ngöndro practices introduce skilful means such as visualization, mantra recitation and profound meditation in order to effect a profound transformation at every level of our being and help us to arrive swiftly at a direct realization of our true nature and the nature of reality itself.

This event will give an essential explanation of every one of the Ngöndro practices, including Vajrasattva Purification, Mandala Offering and Guru Yoga, but greater emphasis will be placed on the practices most relevant for a newer practitioner such as The Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind from Samsara, Taking Refuge and Generating Bodhichitta. Other topics in this course include a brief explanation of the Vajrayana and the role of the teacher in Vajrayana.

As Vajrayana is a specialized path of the ‘Great Vehicle’ or Mahayana Buddhism, the practice of bodhicitta, the altruistic wish to attain enlightenment for the sake of others, lies at its core. Therefore, the practice of Ngöndro is best suited to students who have a solid foundation in the principles and practices of the Mahayana.

The online event will be conducted by the following team of senior instructors who have specialized in different practices of the Ngöndro: Sebastien Reggiany, Frederic Chastelas, Mary Ellen Kelleher, Ruth Seehausen, Valerie Baker, Pascale Tanant and Javier Torales.

THE CONTENT OF THE ONLINE RETREAT

• This online event consists of about 16 hours of videos featuring teachings from various masters, as well as study sessions, guided practices and Q&A.
• All videos will be available from 20 May until 14 July and can be viewed multiple times from any device.
• Registration is open until 30 June.
• During the whole period, this event is online, study and practice support will be given by experienced instructors who will answer your questions and give individual guidance by email. Handouts will be provided in English, French, German and Spanish.

Here you find an overview of the Complete Buddhist Path offered in Rigpa.

[reg button]After registration you will receive a confirmation email. Upon payment you will receive access to the event pages on the Rigpa streaming website (about 7 days before the online retreat starts)

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