Program Overview & Update

A  Study & Practice Program for the Dedicated Practitioner in the Terma Cycle of Dzinpa Rangdröl ‘Natural Liberation of Clinging,’ a Dzogchen terma from Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje

Gateway Program

This eight-year program is for dedicated practitioners who cannot do long-term retreat, but who wish to live a life imbued with intense practice. The curriculum consists of all the practices done in the traditional Vajrayana three-year solitary retreat, but is adapted for the modern practitioner living in the world. This lineage has been established at Tara Mandala through the kind guidance and blessings of Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche, who received this cycle from his teacher, the great Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

This program focuses on the Dzinpa Rangdröl (Natural Liberation of Clinging) cycle of teachings that Machig Labdrön revealed to Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje (1800-1866). It is an extremely unique lineage as it combines the teachings of Machig Labdrön with the Dzogchen (Great Perfection) teachings. Among the many precious practices in this cycle, we find

• Three Chöd (Severance) practices, one of which will be taught during the first three years.
• Ngondro with Dream Yoga
• Two Deity Yoga sadhanas, White Dakini (union of Yeshe Tsogyal and Machig Labdrön) and Tröma (literally mean Fierce Feminine) these are the two Deities, or Yidams, connected to Dzinpa Rangdrol,
• The Tibetan Yogas of Tsalung, Trulkhor, and Tummo.
• Trekchö (Break-through) and Tögal (Leap-over) teachings that are unique to Dzogchen.

This program offers a rare opportunity to receive this exceedingly pure esoteric lineage with consistent support and structure for the dedicated practitioner. This unique lineage has been established at Tara Mandala since 2008 through the kind guidance and blessings of Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche. The program is open to anyone interested who is accepted after their application and interview. We now have three different cohorts who have almost completed the full cycle of the 8 year program. And more teachings may open up for these first cohorts such as the 6 Yogas which are also part of Dzinpa Rangdrol, including Phowa and a practice for the deceased.

This program offers a rare opportunity to receive this exceedingly pure esoteric lineage with consistent support and structure for the dedicated practitioner. Never before has it been taught in the West. This lineage is being established at Tara Mandala through the kind guidance and blessings of Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche. The program is open to anyone interested who is accepted after their application and interview with Lama Tsultrim Allione. We now have three different cohorts progressing through the 10 year program, some just beginning the Dzinpa Rangdröl Ngöndro, others practicing Deity Yoga and others focusing on the Dzogchen preliminary practice of Rushen.

Gateway Update

Tara Mandala is pleased to announce that we will be offering a transmission of the Dzinpa Rangdröl Ngöndro as an online program with Lama Tsultrim Allione and Tsalung Lopön Beth Lee-Herbert May 25-26, 2024. Follow this direct link to learn more about this foundational practice that serves as the entry point into this program and profound terma cycle.

Please note that we will soon be opening applications for serious practitioners inspired to join the next Gateway cohort. Applications for the Gateway Dragons cohort will open on June 1, 2024 and be accepted on a rolling basis until February 2025.  Please contact the Registrar here should you have any questions about this development. 

See Upcoming Gateway Retreats  »