Drubdra Khenpo invites us on a journey to the roots of the A khrid cycle.

This is a rare opportunity for beginners to begin exploring Dzogchen through one of the major Yungdrung Bön cycles, traditionally the first taught at Menri’s meditation school.

For practitioners already familiar with some of the most famous manuals from this cycle, namely the 13th century Akhrid in 15 sessions of Dru Gyalwa Yungdrung Rinpoche, or the 20th century Kusum Rangshar of Shardza Rinpoche, this is truly a very auspicious opportunity to be introduced to their sources.

As well as to deepen their understanding of this living tradition, by going back to where everything started, the works of its founder : Meu Gongdzo Rinpoche, known as "the holy hermit", who reached parinirvana in 1096. This key figure of our tradition received from Lama Zhu Kyese Chenpo the Dzogchen teachings revealed by the great Shenchen Luga, namely the dzogchen cycle of the 9 Arcanes (Gabpa Gukor) and the minor sections of Mind (sems phran). He then practiced them till his meditation reached its full accomplishment. Later, It is said that for the benefit of his disciples, he composed his experiential instructions as well as his own Mind treasuries, and organized the teaching into meditative sessions.

The Akhrid in 8 sessions was composed by Drogön Yorpo Mepal, the fifth master of this lineage. He himself left many relics after his own parinirvana in 1169, Drogön Yorpo Mepal gathered into one corpus, the teachings of the cycle organized into sessions by Meu Gongdzo Rinpoche, together with the Experiential Instructions (Nyam Khrid) and Mind Treasury (Gong Ter) of the holy master.

The Akhrid in 8 sessions

contain 2 main chapters:

• The Precious Supplication of The Direct Introduction (Ngo sprod Rinchen Saldeb)

• The gradual guidance of the Oral instructions (Man ngag Khridrim)

When in turn, Dru Gyalwa Rinpoche wrote his famous manual in 15 sessions, it is from this source that he composed it, being the support of the Oral Instructions of Akhrid.

In the words of Drupdra Khenpo, Head of the meditation college of Triten Norbuste :

"In summary, those instructions condense in one the three sources:

• The Speech of the Buddha

• The Oral instructions of the Master

• Its own Experiences of the teaching

While the words are few, the meaning is very deep : those are secret instructions, made of experiential (Nyam Khrid) and Mind-Treasury teachings (Gong Ter), about the practice itself

That is why, for the women and men who are dedicated themselves seriously to the meditation of dzogchen, those instructions are essential, one cannot do without. " 

Drubdra Khenpo, the “Meditation Khenpo”, is the abbot (khenpo) of the Meditation School at Triten Norbutse Monastery in Kathmandu, is widely respected for his expertise in meditation, ritual, and teaching. His unique ability to convey these sacred teachings with clarity and depth makes this an exceptional opportunity for practitioners at all levels. You can read his full biography here: Drubdra Khenpo Tsultrim Tenzin Rinpoche