Tara Mandala is pleased to announce an auspicious opportunity to receive oral teachings from Venerable Sogan Rinpoche on the preliminary practices (ngöndro) of the Longchen Nyingtig and on a few selections of Sera Khandro Dewé Dorje’s shaldam. 

About the Longchen Nyingtig:

The Longchen Nyingtig, the Heart-Essence of the Vast Expanse, is a collection of revealed teachings by the great 18th century awareness-holder Jigme Lingpa, who was considered to be a reincarnation of both Vimalamitra and King Trisong Deutsen. As such, he embodied Tibet’s two primary Dzogchen lineages: the Vima Nyingtig and the Khandro Nyingtig. Jigme Lingpa was blessed by Omniscient Longchenpa in pure visions that catalyzed the discovery of these precious mind treasures. Today, the Longchen Nyingtig is one of the most important and widespread practice lineages for followers of the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The uninterrupted transmission from master to disciple of the blessed and transformative practices contained within the three volumes of the Nyingtig Tsapöd form a complete path to awakening. The commentaries connected to this lineage include the magnificent Yeshe Lama, Jigme Lingpa’s renowned Dzogchen manual, which offers practitioners a detailed and comprehensive guide through the Dzogchen preliminaries and main practices, concluding with essential instructions on death and the bardos.

Since the Dzogchen tradition considers devotion to be an indispensable ingredient for genuine recognition of mind’s true nature, ngöndro and especially the practice of guru yoga contained therein, are held to be of the highest import by its followers. This is because ngöndro practice sows the seeds of renunciation that pave the way for true reverence for a spiritual master to well forth in the mind of a practitioner. And that, in turn, is the foundation for arriving at an unfabricated and direct experience of awareness, the awakened mind.

Ven. Sogan Rinpoche received full transmission of the Longchen Nyingtig lineage from his root master Khenpo Munsel, who himself was a disciple of the great Khenpo Ngakchung. From a young age, his practice focused on these treasures of Jigme Lingpa, and he spent extensive time in focused retreat integrating their meaning in his being. 

In this retreat, Ven. Sogan Rinpoche will teach the preliminary practices (ngöndro) of the Longchen Nyingtig, based on the recent publication of a brand-new practice text. Practice sessions will emphasize each of the essential purifying components of this ngöndro so that participants can have the opportunity to taste, first-hand, the profound and satisfying flavors of these mind-training courses.

About Sera Khandro:

Sera Khandro’s corpus includes two major cycles of treasure revelations, biographies, profound Dzogchen instructions, and a sizable compilation of personal advice and spiritual teachings given to her students in letters and direct correspondence, her shaldam. In choosing excerpts from her shaldam to teach, Ven. Sogan Rinpoche enables a unique and direct encounter with the extraordinary realization and wisdom of this special female teacher. Sera Khandro’s many contributions to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition are seen in the penetrating clarity of her meditation instructions, in the heartfelt narratives of her awe-inspiring personal journey, and in her confidence as a woman who awakened through the swift path of Dzogchen, the Great Perfection. Her life story, expressions of realization, and intimate one-on-one advice to her students exemplify what it means to take everything as the spiritual path and in the process, transcend both samsara and nirvana. The selections presented by Ven. Sogan Rinpoche will cover a wide range of topics ranging from the foundational preliminaries of the Buddhist path to more sublime levels of meditation practice.

Ven. Sogan Rinpoche, Pema Lodoe, the Sixth Sogan Tulku, has a special relationship with Sera Khandro and her lineage. The Fourth Sogan Tulku, Sotrül Natsok Rangdrol, was one of the heart sons of Tulku Drimé Ozer, the fifth son of the great Traktung Düdjom Lingpa and Sera Khandro’s prophesied consort and treasure-revealing partner. It was at his invitation that Sera Khandro took refuge at Awo Sera Monastery in Serta, Golok, after the passing of Drimé Ozer in 1924. It was from there her fame as a realized dakini spread, and she became known as Sera Khandro, the dakini from Sera Monastery. Ven. Sogan Rinpoche holds the lineage of this great dakini coming through her own direct disciple, Chatral Sangyé Dorjé Rinpoche (1913-2015) to his disciple Tengboche Rinpoche, Ngawang Tenzin. From his root guru, Khenpo Munsel, Ven. Sogan Rinpoche is a principal Longchen Nyingtig practitioner and lineage-holder in addition to numerous other Nyingma lineages he holds. After leaving Tibet in 1991, Ven. Sogan Rinpoche has been serving the teachings of the Buddha and in particular the Early Translation Nyingma School in myriad ways through teaching, writing, transmission, and practice. 

Christina Monson, a student of Chatral Rinpoche who received transmission of the Sera Khandro lineage from both Chatral Rinpoche and Tengboche Rinpoche, will be the translator.

Who Can Attend?

• All with sincere interest in the practice of Dzogchen and the great treasure lineage of the Longchen Nyingtig and of Sera Khandro are encouraged to attend this retreat to deepen their connection with these powerful and blessed treasures.
• To prepare for your visit, we invite you to read our information on Tara Mandala’s Health & Safety Protocols for In-Person Retreats.

Are there any Prerequisites?

• It is Ven. Sogan Rinpoche’s special request that anyone who registers must commit to recite and accumulate as much as is possible the 100-syllable and 6-syllable Vajrasattva mantra with confession prayers as well as the Guru Rinpoche and Tara mantras in preparation to ensure that everything auspicious unfolds during these teachings. 

Recommended Reading

• Ven. Sogan Rinpoche’s autobiography, Dreams and Truth from the Ocean of Mind, chronicles his life in Tibet and afterward in the west, and is encouraged as reading for everyone attending this teaching series. 
• For additional background on Sera Khandro and her extraordinary life, Love and Liberation, Autobiographical Writings of the Tibetan Buddhist Visionary Sera Khandro, by Sarah Jacoby is recommended. 

Registration for this retreat closes on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 10:00am (MDT). 

PRICING

The Total Price for this retreat consists of a Room & Board Fee and a Program Fee.

ROOM & BOARD FEE

Commuting: Participants choosing this fee option will have access to 3 meals a day (dinner on first day, and breakfast on last day) and the use of Tara Mandala’s facilities during their visit each day while commuting daily.

Standard Room & Board: On a first-come first-serve basis, participants choosing this fee option can choose from Camping, Tent Cabins, Yurt Dorm, and Prajna Double Room lodging. Access to 3 meals a day (dinner on first day, and breakfast on last day) and the use of Tara Mandala’s facilities is included.

Prajna Single Queen Room & Board: Participants choosing this fee option can choose to stay in a Single Prajna Queen Bed Room with shared bathroom. Access to 3 meals a day (dinner on first day, and breakfast on last day) and the use of Tara Mandala’s facilities is included.

PROGRAM FEE

GENEROSITY RATE 

Choose this rate if you have the financial security and capacity to support Tara Mandala at a higher level. The contributions we receive within this level make it possible for us to offer a below-cost Access Rate to those practitioners with a limited income.

 This rate is for you if you:

• Own your own home and live comfortably without financial worry
• Have investments and savings 
• Easily have access to money in times of need or emergencies
• Have the desire to help make the Dharma more accessible to others

SUSTAINABILITY RATE  

Choose this rate if you have the financial capacity to sustain Tara Mandala’s ability to offer high-quality programs. The contributions we gratefully receive at this level enable us to keep our prices low while covering the basic program costs. 

 This rate is for you if you:

• Have the capacity to meet your basic financial needs
• Make your rent or mortgage and other monthly payments 
• Are generally able to purchase new items and experiences for yourself
• Can afford to take trips and go on retreats

ACCESS RATE 

Choose  this rate if you have limited financial capacity or are currently experiencing financial hardship. The contributions we gratefully receive at this level go toward covering costs and are supported by contributions of those who choose the Generosity Rate.

 This rate is for you if you:

• Have difficulty meeting your basic financial needs 
• Are experiencing housing, employment, or income instability
• Live paycheck-to-paycheck and and lack money in times of need
• Face challenges due to devaluation of your currency against the US dollar. 

Offering dana to the teacher: The practice of offering dana, which means “generosity,” is the traditional offering the student makes to the teacher as a symbol of appreciation, gratitude, and reciprocity for receiving the precious teachings. Information on offering dana to the teacher will be provided during the virtual retreat. To learn more about dana and suggested dana ranges, please click here. 

Payment Plans and Financial Assistance
Tara Mandala offers two types of financial assistance: Deferred Payment Plans and Scholarships. You may apply for one or both of these types of assistance. Read the terms carefully as outlined on the financial aid application. Please see this page for further information.

Sustaining Sangha:
If you are currently a member of our Sustaining Sangha, you may apply your Retreat discount to this in-person retreat.

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