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Beginning in 2013


 

 

Seven-year Study & Practice Program for the

Dedicated Practitioner

in

 

The Terma Cycle of Dzinpa Rangdröl

‘Self Liberation of Clinging

Lineage in the Dzogchen Tradition

from Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje

 
Machig Labdrön


 Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje (1800-1866)
 


Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche



Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche



Lama Tsultrim Allione
 


Overview of the seven-year Gateway program

This seven-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 practices done in the traditional Vajrayana three-year solitary retreat adapted for the modern practitioner living in the “world.”

The focus of this program is the Dzinpa Rangdröl (Self Liberation of Clinging) cycle of teachings that Machig Labdrön revealed to Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje (1800-1866). It was transmitted by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche to Gochen Sang-ngag Rinpoche who has been teaching it at Tara Mandala since 2008. It is an extremely unique lineage because it combines the teachings of Machig Labdrön with the Dzogchen (Great Perfection) teachings. For example, this cycle contains two deities connected to Chöd, the White Dakini and Tröma, and three Chöd practices as well as the Trekchö and Tögal teachings that are unique to Dzogchen.

This program offers a rare opportunity to receive this exceedingly esoteric lineage with consistent support and structure for the dedicated practitioner.  Never before has it been taught in the West. Already, several people have completed the traditional three-year retreat in this lineage at Tara Mandala. This seven-year program is unusual because it makes the three-year retreat curriculum available to those who live and practice in the world. This lineage is being established at Tara Mandala through the kind guidance and blessings of Gochen Sang-ngag Rinpoche who received this cycle from his teacher, the great Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. The program is open to anyone interested who is accepted after their application and interview with Lama Tsultrim.
 

Dzinpa Rangdröl Cycle

The Tibetan word Dzinpa means to cling or to fixate. Rang means self, innate, or inherent. Dröl means liberation. Consequently, the term Dzinpa Rangdröl may be translated as Self Liberation of Clinging meaning that fixation or clinging are inherently liberated by themselves into the nature of the mind. It is the core text of Do Khyentse’s extensive terma (treasure) cycle called the Yangsang Khandro Thug Tig (Exceedingly Secret Heart Essence of the Dakini). Within the cycle are all of the different types of practice that comprise the full Tibetan Buddhist path.

The seven-year program is divided into two sections: first, the three year “Foundation” program where one engages in the foundational practices of Ngöndro; and second, the “Complete Transmission” program which builds upon the first, focusing on the more advanced practices of  Tsogyal Karmo (White Dakini), Tröma, three Chöd practices, and the Dzogchen preliminaries of Rushan followed by Trekchö and Tögal. There are also various other yogic and Dzogchen practices attached to this cycle, including three main Chöd practices of varying lengths. It is rare to have a terma cycle of such vast profundity that is complete and thus able to lead one to complete liberation.

Over the course of the program, a close cohort of fellow practitioners will develop, providing a sense of camaraderie and support while engaging in these profound practices.
 

Level 1:  The Foundation Program Overview

  
Lama Tsultrim Allione                  Khenpo Ugyen Wangchuk

The Foundation program spans three years and covers the Ngöndro or ‘that which goes before’ which is the gateway for entering the profound lineage of the Dzinpa Rangdröl cycle. This program is designed so that participants will complete the Dzinpa Rangdröl Ngöndro at the end of this three-year time period. Since the time of Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century, the practice of Ngöndro has been completed by many great yogis and yoginis and many of them 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 esoteric and in the past were given only as a practitioner’s second Ngöndro. In this Ngöndro you complete 100,000 prostrations with refuge, 40,000 Bodhicitta prayers with accompanying meditation, 100,000 Vajrasattva mantras, 100,000 mandala offerings and 1,000,000 Guru Yoga mantras. All of these are accompanied by visualizations. The purpose of these practices is to purify the body, speech and mind and to accumulate merit, akin to preparing the foundation before a house is built.

Those who have already completed a Ngöndro in another lineage will be required to do 10% of the Dzinpa Rangdrol Ngöndro in order to enter into the second level “Complete Transmission” program. To receive these instructions and begin the practice, there are no prerequisites; however, it is a practice that requires great effort and commitment. The application and interview process must be completed.
 
 

Level 2: The Complete Transmission Program Overview

The second program builds upon the Foundation program and is for those who have completed the Ngöndro requirement. This four-year curriculum includes the deity yoga practices of Tsogyal Karmo and Tröma, Tsalung, the 6 Yogas and the Dzogchen preliminaries of Outer and Inner Rushan followed by Trekchö and Tögal. There are also various other yogic and Dzogchen practices attached to this cycle, including three main Chöd practices of varying lengths. There will be both group and solitary retreat requirements as well as a commitment to regular, two-hour daily practice.

The first Complete Transmission program will be offered in the summer of 2013 for those who will be finished with their Ngöndro requirement by that time.

The next Complete Transmission program will be offered in 2016 upon the completion of the first Foundation Program. More details and schedule will be posted as the start date draws nearer.
Prerequisites: Completing of the Foundation program (Ngöndro) or 10% of the Dzinpa Rangdröl Ngöndro if you have already completed another lineage Ngöndro. Interview and acceptance by Lama Tsultrim Allione is also required.
 

 
Foundation Program Details:
 
The primary focus of the Foundation program is training in the Dzinpa Rangdröl Ngöndro, the Foundational Vajrayana practices, which include:
  • Contemplations on the Six Thoughts That Turn the Mind toward the Dharma
  • Training in the two kinds of Bodhicitta: Absolute and Relative
  • The Four Immeasurables: Love, Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity
  • Progressive stages of emptiness and other topics
  • Barlung Breathing
  • Refuge & Prostrations
  • Vajrasattva Mantra recitation
  • Mandala Offering
  • Guru Yoga
  • Dream Yoga
  • Parchangma Chöd will also be taught in the Foundation Program


Each year, you will participate in the following :

  • An annual 7-day retreat (including a personal interview) with Lama Tsultrim Allione or Gochen Sang-ngag Rinpoche or Khenpo Ugyen Wangchuk at Tara Mandala
  • Four teleteachings or webcasts with Lama Tsultrim Allione or Khenpo Ugyen and/or Tara Mandala senior teachers to be attended locally or via live webcast
  • Personal Interviews with Lama Tsultrim, Gochen Sang-ngag Rinpoche and Khenpo Ugyen as needed. (Please note: during retreats priority for personal interviews will be given to those enrolled in the Gateway Program.)
  • Email or Skype contact with Lama Tsultrim and Khenpo Ugyen as needed
  • Required daily 2-hour personal practice commitment
  • Occasional daylong, weekend or longer personal retreats as appropriate
  • Dzinpa Rangdröl Drubchen retreat at Tara Mandala - first 2 years optional, but the third and final year attendance is required to graduate.
  • Become a Sustaining Sangha member of Tara Mandala
  • Taking the Parchangma Chöd Retreat
  • In addition, those participants who have not yet completed the Three Yana Month Long Retreat (Sutrayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana) will be required to do so at a time of their choosing during the 3 years of the Foundation Program.
 

Foundation Program Schedule (2013-2016)

First year schedule:


Foundation Program cost:

  • Annual 7-day retreat at Tara Mandala (which includes housing and food) at a cost of $483-$909 (depending on type of accommodation chosen) with suggested teacher dana of $150-$300 = $633-$1,209/year
  • Four teleteachings or webcasts per year with Lama Tsultrim, Khenpo Ugyen or Lama Tsultrim's senior teachers with suggested teacher dana of $50 per session = $200/year
  • Sustaining Sangha membership: $30 - $60/month (higher levels available)=  $360-$720/year
  • Optional: Solo cabin rental  (not included in total below) = $200/week, discount available
  • Optional: Dzinpa Rangdröl Drupchen: cost TBD (not included in total below) - discounts available.
  • Three Yana Retreat (for those who have not completed this prior to enrollment): cost TBD (not included in total below)

Total annual cost: $1,193-$2,129

(Travel expenses and extra retreats not included)

Payment plans available.

Registration:

Interviews for the Foundation program will take place in January of 2013.
Application to the program is required.  Please follow this link for The Foundation Program application.
Once your application is accepted, a phone or in-person interview with Lama Tsultrim Allione is required.
Once you are accepted into the program, a $350 deposit is required.


Complete Transmission Program Details

The Complete Transmission program will take those who have completed the Dzinpa Rangdröl Ngondro into the progressive stages that are traditionally practiced in the three-year retreat. 

Yidam Practices:

     Tsogyal Karmo retreat in person with Gochen Sang-ngag Rinpoche followed by:
     210 days (calculating two hours per day of practice) consisting of
                  90 days Nyenpa: approach
                  90 days Drubpa: accomplihment
                  30 days Lejyor: activities
                  4 full days Jin Seg: fire puja

 
     Tröma retreat in person with Gochen Sang-ngag Rinpoche followed by:
      210 days (two hours per day) consisting of
                  90 days Nyenpa: approach
                  90 days Drubpa: accomplishment
                  30 days Lejyor: activities
                  4 full days Jin Seg: fire puja

 
Beginning Tsa lung 6-day retreat in person with Gochen Sang-ngag Rinpoche (5 Trulkor and Tummo)
followed by:
      180 days (2 hours per day). Those with physical issues preventing Tsalung practice will be given guidance and support.

 
Completion of Tsa Lung Teachings 6-day in person retreat with Gochen Sang-ngag Rinpoche 21 Trulkhor fer Tsalung followed by:
     210 days (2 hours per day). Those with physical issues preventing Tsalung practice will be given guidance and support.

Six Yogas
7-day in person Dream and Illusory Body retreat with Gocehn Sang-ngag Rinpoche.  
     Tummo (Inner Heat) is taught within the Tsalung retreat.  
     Bardo, Clear Light, and Phowa (Transference) will be integrated with other retreats. 
     (exact practice requirements to be detremined)

 
Dzogchen
 In person retreat with Gochen Sang-ngag Rinpoche
      Outer Rushan:  7 days at Tara Mandala group retreat
      Inner Rushan:  60 days (2 hours per day)
      Lujong:  28 days (2 hours per day)
      Ngagjong:  72 days (2 hours per day)


Semjong
In person retreat with Gochen Sang-ngag Rinpoche followed by:
      First - 12 days (two hours per day) or 3 full days
      Second - 12 days (two hours per day) or 3 full days
      Third - 112 days (two hours per day) or 3 full days

 
Nalbab
21 days (two hours per day)

Solshog
      Bodhisattva 12 days (two hours per day)
      Peaceful 12 days (two hours per day)
      Wrathful 12 days (two hours per day)
 

Trekchö
In person retreat (length to be determined) with Gochen Sang-ngag Rinpoche followed by:
      400 days (2 hours per day)

 
Tögal
In person retreat (length to be determined) with Gochen Sang-ngag Rinpoche followed by
      400 days (2 hours per day)

 

Complete Transmission Schedule
  • 1st four-year cycle: 2013-2017 (will begin near the Aug 5-16 Drubchen in 2013)
  • 2nd four-year cycle: 2016-2020 (upon completion of first Foundation group)
Dates and details to be determined according to Gochen Sang-ngag Rinpoche and Lama Tsultrim’s schedules.
Costs for Complete Transmission are still being worked on... We should have them soon.
Interviews for the Complete Transmission program will take place in January of 2013 
If you are interested in starting in 2013, please fill out the Complete Transmission Application and you will be provided with details.

 

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