Due to the requests from students, the complete cycle of Dzinpa Rangdröl as the Gateway Program will be offered again at Tara Mandala starting in January of 2025! However, there has been a request by students to start the Ngöndro sooner and so Lama Tsultrim will offer this teaching in 2024. In the meantime, there will be an opportunity to complete the application and be accepted into the program. 

The Dzinpa Rangdröl Ngöndro (foundational practices) of the Yangsang Khandro Tug Tig (Exceedingly Secret Heart Essence of the Dakini) cycle is the gateway for entering the profound lineage of the Dzinpa Rangdröl cycle. Since the time of Guru Rinpoche, the practice of Ngöndro has been completed by all of the great yogis and yoginis, many of whom have taken Ngöndro as one of their core practices.

Commensurate with the complete body of the Dzinpa Rangdröl cycle, many practices in this Ngöndro are considered extremely esoteric and in the past were given only as a practitioner’s second Ngöndro. The first time this Ngöndro was offered in the West was at Tara Mandala in the summer of 2008 by Sang-ngag Rinpoche.  Since then, Lama Tsultrim’s students in the Gateway Program have been practicing, learning and accomplishing the Dzinpa Rangdröl cycle.

During this retreat, Lama Tsultrim will offer the oral transmission (Tib. lung) and guide you through the practices of the Dzinpa Rangdröl Ngöndro. To receive these instructions and begin the practice, there are no prerequisites; however, it is a practice that requires great effort and commitment. 

What is Ngöndro?
The Tibetan word ngöndro means “that which goes before” or “preliminaries.” This ngöndro is a collection of practices that condenses the Buddhist path into a skillful method for actualizing one’s own primordial wisdom. It includes Purification of speech, The Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind to the Dharma, 100,000 Refuge and Prostrations, 100,000 Vajrasattva 100 Syllable  Mantras, 100,000 Mandala Offerings, 1,111,000 Guru Yoga Mantras. It takes the average person doing 2 hours per day of practice 3 years to complete.  

Who Should Attend? 

• This program is open to everyone.
• Once you receive these teachings, it will be up to you whether you receive it simply as a blessing or you commit to practicing it daily. Specific instructions will be given by Lama Tsultrim Allione for those that decide to commit after receiving this teaching. 
• This program is part of the Gateway Program. Students that commit to completing this ngöndro and to continuing in the Dzingpa Rangdröl cycle will be subsequently invited to apply to the Gateway program to receive further support and resources. 

Recording Access: 
All participants will have a 1-year access period to the recordings.

What is a Tara Mandala Online Program?
Tara Mandala offers online programming via live and pre-recorded curriculum that give you the opportunity to access dharma teachings, engage in guided practice, experience personal retreat and hands-on learning, while connecting with other participants through easy-to-use online platforms and an engaged community network. When needed, the program description and schedule will inform you in advance if and when a specific online session must be attended live if a direct transmission (Tib. lung) may be given. Access to recordings of all sessions will be available for additional viewing for one year. 

Tara Mandala Pricing Guidelines
As we work to become an equitable, diverse and inclusive community, our pricing guidelines are intended to be a map, inviting each of us to take inventory of resources that contribute to our access to precious dharma teachings. While we do ask you to look inward, please know there is no right or wrong answer. We encourage you to select the range/rate appropriate to your circumstances. To learn more about Tara Mandala’s pricing guidelines for Online Programs, In-Person Retreats, and Special Promotions, please visit this page. 

Installment Payment Plan Option at Registration
During registration, students can either pay the program fee in full or select the Installment Payment option. If choosing the installment payment option, students will pay a 50% deposit upon registering and subsequent equal payments will be processed automatically every two-weeks. The final balance is due 14 days before the start of the program.

Deferred 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.

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 program. To learn more about dana and suggested dana ranges, please click here.

Sustaining Sangha:
If you are currently a member of our Sustaining Sangha, you may apply your Online Program discount to this course. To learn more about Sustaining Sangha membership, benefits, and discounts, click here. 

Click Here for Our Online Programs Cancellation and Refund Policy

PROGRAM SCHEDULE
The live sessions of the program are listed below. All times are Mountain Daylight Time. Please use this link to see how this daily schedule translates into your timezone.

Saturday, May 25, 2024:
10:00am-12:00pm MDT: Opening Gathering & Oral Transmission (Tib. Lung) – students must attend live to receive transmission from Lama Tsultrim Allione
1:00pm – 3:00pm MDT: Teaching session 
4:00pm – 5:00pm MDT: Practice session 

Sunday, May 26, 2024:
10:00am-12:00pm MDT: Teaching session
1:00pm – 3:00pm MDT: Closing Teachings 
4:00pm – 5:00pm MDT: Practice session