Gomde California is honored to welcome our esteemed lineage master and teacher, Phakchok Rinpoche, who will teach on the “Essence of the Mahayana” from Gampopa’s Jewel Ornament of Liberation. Through Rinpoche’s teachings, we will examine the origin of samsara and how confusion arises out of emptiness and operates like a dream. The Mahayana path, predicated on buddha-nature and traversable via our precious human life, when guided by a qualified spiritual teacher’s instructions, leads us to perfect buddhahood—from which radiates spontaneous, compassionate activity. Rinpoche will address the key qualities needed on the path along with the four profound obstacles we face and…

Gomde’s Annual Winter Retreat focuses on the deity Vajrasattva—an expression of the ultimate purity of our intrinsic nature. Vajrasattva is the essence of all the Buddhas, so all deities are included within this single deity and all practices within this one sadhana. When you practice this short liturgy of Vajrasattva, it is as if you practice every sadhana of every deity. This profound practice of the Sangtik Dorsem was revealed by the great master, Chokgyur Lingpa, as part of the Sangtik cycle of instruction. It purifies the afflictions that arise due to our past negative actions, clears our mental obscurations, and reveals our stainless essence, the…

The Sangtik Phurpa (Secret Essence of Vajrakilaya) practice belongs to the treasure teachings that were hidden by Guru Padmasambhava for the disciples of this time. In 1859 on the 8th of August, at the retreat hermitage of Jamgön Kongtrul Rinpoche in Tibet, Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa revealed the practice of Sangtik Phurpa as part of the three inner secret essence cycles of Vajrasattva, Yangdak Heruka, and Vajrakilaya. Among the Vajrakilaya revelations of Chokgyur Lingpa, the Sangtik Phurpa is considered the highest (Atiyoga) practice of Vajrakilaya. Since it is very effective in removing outer and inner obstacles, is easy to practice, and…

This ten-day practice retreat will focus on our primary Guru Rinpoche practice, the Trinley Nyingpo. In years past, Lama Tsultrim Sangpo has taken us into the intricacies of deity practice using this special sadhana from the Tukdrub Barche Kunsel, The Heart Practice that Dispels all Obstacles. Our upcoming retreat will be an opportunity to put his instructions into practice. *ONLINE attendees please see the bottom of this registration page.* The Tukdrub Barche Kunsel Guru Rinpoche empowerment is not required to attend this retreat, but it is required if one wishes to make the Trinley Nyingpo their daily practice. Please note…