Dear Friends of the Bön Sangha,

We are honored and excited to invite you to join us for a special event at Shenten Dargye Ling this May. As we celebrate our center’s 20th Anniversary, we are privileged to welcome His Holiness Khabje Gyelwa, the 34th Menri Trizin, who will be traveling from India to grace us with his presence.

Event Schedule:

• May 8-10: His Holiness will teach on the 12 Little Tantras, offering profound teachings on this core Dzogchen text of the Bön tradition.

• May 11:

  • Morning: We will receive the initiation of Zhang Zhung Meri, a rare and powerful empowerment under the guidance of His Holiness.

  • Afternoon: We will celebrate Shenten Dargye Ling’s 20th Anniversary, marking two decades of dedicated service to the preservation and sharing of the Bön tradition. This celebration will include joyful ceremonies and expressions of gratitude for the teachings and our community.

This event will provide a rare and precious opportunity for the entire sangha to gather. It will be a time to reflect on the incredible journey of Shenten Dargye Ling, as well as honor our founder, Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche, who is also celebrating his 100th birthday this year.

We warmly invite all practitioners, friends, and supporters to participate in these important ceremonies. Your presence will enrich the event and contribute to the deepening of our connection.

How to Register:

To attend the event, please fill out the registration form and follow the steps provided on our website: Register for the retreat, initiation and 20th anniversary

We are deeply grateful to His Holiness for accepting our invitation and look forward to the blessings and teachings he will bestow upon us during his visit.

About the 12 Little Tantras

(rgyud bu chung bcu gnyis): 

Dzogchen, or the Great Perfection, is considered the culmination of all Bön spiritual teachings. The philosophical vision of the Great Perfection introduces the individual to the knowledge of reality, which is one with the awakened state of all beings, Kuntu Zangpo. One of the most important cycles of the Yungdrung Bön tradition is the oral lineage of the Zhang Zhung, which has been transmitted uninterrupted to the present day: the Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyüd ( rDogs pa chen po zhang zhung snyan rgyud). 

The Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyüd itself is divided into two types of transmissions: the four cycles of oral transmission, Kagyü Korzhi (bKa’ rgyud skor bzhi), and the transmission by experience: Nyam Gyüd (nyams rgyud). There are four major texts in the four cycles of the Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyüd Kagyu Korzhi. One in each cycle. 

The 12 Little Tantras is the most important text of the first external cycle. It deals mainly with the external view. It is a teaching that penetrates very deeply into the essence of the Great Perfection and guides directly to the meaning of realization through essential instructions from the oral transmission of the Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyüd. Thus everyone can become familiar not only with the view of Dzogchen itself, the way, but also with the result, the fruit.

About the Zhang Zhung Meri Initiation: 

The meditation and practice of Zhang Zhung Meri serve as a profound spiritual remedy, supporting the healing process and restoring balance for all beings. In the Bonpo tradition of Tibet, Zhang Zhung Meri is revered as a meditative deity from the ancient land of Zhang Zhung. As the principal protector of the Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyud lineage, he holds a vital role in preserving its teachings.

Deeply connected to Mount Kailash, Zhang Zhung Meri is intrinsically linked to the transmission of the Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyud Dzogchen teachings, embodying their wisdom and power. We'll receive the initiation of Zhang Zhung Meri performed by His Holiness on May 11.

Personal Invitation from Khenchen Tenpa Yungdrung Rinpoche

Since its establishment in 2005, Shenten Dargye Ling has been a beacon of study, practice, and community for those dedicated to the Bön tradition. This 20th Anniversary celebration marks a significant milestone for all of us, and we are overjoyed to share this moment with you.

Please join us from May 8-11, 2025, for these auspicious and transformative events.

We look forward to gathering together in joy, devotion, and wisdom.

Sincerely,

Shenten Dargye Ling