Practice of the Limitless Aspirational Prayer to the Buddhas (Dersheg Monlam Thaye)

This course focuses on a book written a few years ago by Ponlob Tsangpa Tenzin Rinpoche. It is entitled "The Treasury of the Mind." The sources of the text are found in numerous writings from the three traditions: Do (mdo), Ngag (sngag), and Sem (sems).

The main theme of the book (and therefore also of the course) is the mind and its factors. Besides many other subdivisions of the mind, the course deals specifically with the mind itself and its factors. The mind is like a king here, while the mental factors are like his ministers and assistants.

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It is very useful to understand the detailed functions of the mind and mental factors, their way of perceiving objects, and so on. The mind is like a factory that produces both happiness and suffering. Therefore, we must understand that all the peace and all the discord in this world depend on the mind. However, to say that the virtuous and vicious mind, concentration, wisdom, suffering, and everything else belong to the mind is only a general statement. In detail, there are many subtle aspects related to the individual aspects and functions of the mind, and there is much to learn about the nature of each. In short, anyone interested in cultivating the mind must understand the mind and mental factors.

This conference aims to introduce this topic. It marks the beginning of a series that will span several years.

The dates are:

• Saturday, January 24th and 31st

• Saturday, February 7th and 14th

Master Tapihritsa is one of the most revered Dzogchen masters in the Bön tradition, renowned for accomplishing the Rainbow Body within a single lifetime.

According to his biography—still available today—Tapihritsa transmitted the complete cycle of the Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyü to his principal disciple, Nangzher Löpo, while abiding in the state of Rainbow Body. After receiving these profound instructions, Nangzher Löpo, together with Tapihritsa, committed the teachings to writing for the first time, in the Zhang Zhung language.

Later, Nangzher Löpo composed a powerful invocation prayer to Tapihritsa, a short text said to contain the very essence of Dzogchen guidance. In the 21st century, our great master Yongdzin Rinpoche, holder of the lineage, offered a commentary on this extraordinary prayer.

Rinpoche recited this invocation often throughout his life—especially in his final period. For Khenpo Gelek, this prayer carries a deeply personal resonance: it was the last prayer he heard from Yongdzin Rinpoche, during his final visit.

Join us for this rare and moving transmission—step into a moment rich in blessings and emotion, and let yourself be carried by the living heart of the lineage.

The dates are :

• Sunday 11 January

• Saturday 17 January

• Sunday 25 January

• Sunday 1, 8, 15, 22 February

• Saturday 28 February

This retreat is dedicated to the preliminary practices (Ngöndro) of the Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyud, one of the major Dzogchen transmissions within the Yungdrung Bön tradition. The preliminary practices constitute the indispensable foundation of the spiritual path and form the basis upon which all authentic Dzogchen practice rests.

Often mistakenly perceived as “a retreat for beginners,” the preliminary practices are not limited to an initial stage of the path. Their aim is to profoundly transform the practitioner’s body, mind, and conduct, thereby creating the necessary conditions for a stable and integrated understanding of the Dzogchen view. To reduce them to a mere technical prerequisite is to adopt a reductive view of their true scope.

As Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche often reminded us: “For most of us, the key to Dzogchen is Ngöndro.” This statement underscores that, for the majority of practitioners, the gradual maturation brought about by the preliminary practices is essential for the authentic assimilation of Dzogchen teachings.

In the same spirit, he emphasized that an understanding of Dzogchen rests upon solid foundations and that, without this preparatory work, practice risks remaining conceptual or unstable.

At the request of many practitioners around the world, Khenchen Tenpa Yungdrung Rinpoche has agreed to give this teaching, specifically dedicated to the study and practice of the Ngöndro. This retreat thus offers the opportunity to deepen the preliminary practices as a living path, fully integrated into the Dzogchen way.

Introduction to Bön Philosophy – Part 2

This lecture is a continuation of the lecture “Introduction to Bön Philosophy Part 1” from the winter semester 2024/2025. We will continue our exploration of philosophic­al topics in this lecture, focusing primarily on the examination of the objects of our common experience, in particular into how they are scrutinized by dharma theory. We will again deal with various philosophical disciplines of the Bon tradition: phenomenology or düdra (bsdus grwa; description of the empirical world as we experience it), epistemology and typologies of the mind or tsema (tshad ma; analysis of how we know), and ontology (dealing with the question of what is real).

The exact subject of the lecture will be determined and announced at a later date.

The course consists of 8 lectures.

This course is intended not only for complete beginners who wish to learn the core philosophical concepts of Yungdrung Bon, but also for advanced practitioners who wish to deepen their knowledge of the tradition.

It is not a prerequisite to have attended the first lecture.

Dates

The dates are as follows (the time is still to be determined):

• April 04

• April 19

• April 23

• April 26

• April 30

• May 03

• May 07

• May 10

The stūpa is a powerful representation of the Buddha’s primordial wisdom. It embodies both the wisdom that perceives reality as it is and the wisdom that understands its boundless scope. As both a visual support and a symbol of enlightened qualities, the stūpa serves as a constant reminder of the virtues of the Buddha.

Each element of its structure—proportions, shapes, and ornaments—symbolizes specific qualities of the Buddha and the bodhisattvas. According to sacred texts, stūpas are considered vessels of the Buddha’s compassionate power, transmitting blessings to those who honor them. They also serve as supports for purification and the accumulation of merit.

Traditional practices associated with stūpas include prostrations, circumambulations, offerings, purification rituals, and the application of sacred oils or essences. These actions are intended to purify inner obscurations and strengthen the accumulation of virtuous merit.

The benefits of these practices are manifold: they are said to bring beneficial rains, fertile lands, prosperous harvests, health for sentient beings, and harmony among humans and animals. Offerings made to stūpas are therefore regarded as sources of well-being and abundance.

This workshop offers an in-depth exploration of the nature and symbolism of stūpas. It is intended for those who, guided by faith or the wish to understand, seek to deepen their connection with the sacred meaning of these spiritual monuments.

We are delighted to announce the return of Amchi Nyima and Geshe Dennyi to Shenten Dargye Ling! They have kindly agreed to teach again this year, much to our joy.

The topic presented by Amchi Nyima is particularly valuable: he will offer an in-depth introduction to medicinal baths (Tibetan: བདུད་རྩི་ལྔ་ལུམས་; Wylie: bdud rtsi lnga lums), according to traditional Tibetan medicine. These are commonly referred to as Lum (Tibetan: ལུམས།; Wylie: lums).

Recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Lum offer a unique and rich field of knowledge—one you will have the opportunity to explore directly under the guidance of an experienced master.

In the morning, Amchi Nyima will explain in detail:

• the methods of steam bath application,

• how the treatment is administered,

• the most appropriate seasons for the therapy,

• as well as the necessary precautions and care during the course of treatment.

In the afternoon, Geshe Dennyi will continue his teaching on the causes of illness. This year, he will focus on karmic causes and traditional Tibetan methods for preventing imbalances and preserving health.