Test Programs Display
Sang: The Practice of Smoke Offering
With Lama Tsultrim Sangpo
Open Dates
Sang is the Tibetan Buddhist practice of offering precious incense to clear away obstacles and gather auspicious conditions for our Dharma practice. While the benefits of this practice are well known, the proper method for doing so is rarely taught in detail. Therefore, in this weekend workshop, Lama Tsultrim Sangpo guides us in how to correctly offer sang, using The Condensed Smoke Offering liturgy from the Guru's Heart Practice that Dispels All Obstacles (Tukdrup Barchey Kunsel) as a basis. Guru Padmasambhava himself extolled the benefits of sang practice as follows: "When done regularly, and especially to create auspicious circumstances when…
Becoming Divine: Four Stakes that Bind the Life-Force (Concise Daily Practice)
With Lama Tsultrim Sangpo
Open Dates
In this 4-part online series, Lama Tsultrim Sangpo unpacked an essential aspect of tantric practice—the development stage. To properly realize our innate nature through sadhana practice, the great masters from Guru Padmasambhava down to our present teachers emphasize the necessity of "binding the life force" of the deity through planting four "stakes". These four points condense the essential methods of the development stage, and thus allow us to truly take hold of the deity—our own deepest nature. Lama Tsultrim, a master himself in all aspects of tantric ritual practice, guided us through an in-depth exploration these four stakes that bind…
The Concise Daily Practice of Guru Rinpoche: Exploration of the Tibetan Language
With Dr. Catherine Dalton
Open Dates
This set of recorded teachings is extremely beneficial for anyone wishing to learn the meaning of "The Concise Daily Practice" of Guru Rinpoche, by studying the Tibetan words of the text. No previous knowledge of Tibetan is required to derive benefit from this class. In this online workshop, Dr. Catherine Dalton will elucidate the profound meaning of the Tibetan text of the Manual for Concise Daily Practice (Gyünkyi Köljang), revealed by Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa as part of his Dispeller of All Obstacles (Tukdrup Barché Künsel) treasure cycle. This simple, essential practice focuses upon Guru Padmasambhava, known affectionately as Guru Rinpoche,…
The Practice of Chöd: An In-Depth Workshop
With Dr. Catherine Dalton
Open Dates
Chöd, or “cutting through,” is a profound practice that cuts to the heart of wisdom and compassion. Traditionally attributed to the eleventh-century female practitioner Machig Labdrön, it is prevalent in many Tibetan Buddhist lineages. Combining the view of the Prajnaparamita sutras with tantric visualization methods, chöd is a direct meditational approach to severing ego-clinging. Chöd practice is also known for its hauntingly beautiful melodies, and has traditionally been used as part of Buddhist healing rituals. Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche has repeatedly emphasized the importance of practicing of chöd, and of perfecting our understanding of both its profound meaning and its lineage…
Personal Retreat at Gomde California
Open Dates
The wild beauty of Rangjung Yeshe Gomde California is an ideal environment for personal meditation practice. The waters of Eel River and Cedar Creek flow through stands of fir and redwood, and ever-changing light pours into the river valley. The natural environment of Gomde California supports a sense of awe and renunciation in our residents. In addition to the splendid setting, many Tibetan masters have blessed the land with their practice and realization. We encourage serious Buddhist practitioners who are studying under the guidance of an authentic teacher to apply for private retreat at Gomde California. Private Retreat Facilities Gomde…
Online Treasury of Blessings Practice
With Lama Kunzang Drolma
Open Dates
Join our online practice of the Shakyamuni Buddha sadhana from home! This a perfect opportunity to come together and engage in this essential practice, hosted by Ani Kunzang Drolma. SCHEDULE Regular Schedule: Sundays at 8:00 am (Pacific Time) Summer Schedule: Sundays at 7:00 am (Pacific Time) FORMAT Click "Register Now" to enter your information and receive the Zoom link. PRICE Free
Shakyamuni Sadhana in Translation and Practice
With Dr. Catherine Dalton
Open Dates
At the express wish of Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, long-time translator and Rangjung Yeshe Institute faculty member Dr. Catherine Dalton will lead an online course focused on "The Treasury of Blessings" sadhana of Shakyamuni Buddha. Composed by Jamgön Mipham Rinpoche's (1846-1912) and widely considered to be a "mind-treasure" (gongter), this sadhana is both poetically rich in composition and totally complete in its practical framework. Furthermore, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche has extensively praised its qualities and provided teachings to unfold its depths. This course will proceed in two parts. In the first part we will engage in a linguistic approach to the sadhana…
15th Annual Winter Vajrasattva Retreat 2025
January 24 - 31, 2025
Onsite at Gomde California
Gomde’s Annual New Year’s 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,…