LOSAR – Rigdzin Düpa Drupchö – At Lerab Ling
Dates: 9 – 11 February 2027
Practising Riwo Sangchö—a ritual of offering incense smoke—and reciting lungta prayers intently, right after the Tibetan New Year (Losar) is of immense benefit for our spiritual path.
As we enter the New Year, this practice based on Guru Rinpoche, is an opportunity to gather the accumulations of merit and wisdom, purify our obscurations, and, in particular, pacify any obstacles and factors that prevent the accomplishment of the Dharma and awakening in the present lifetime.
Moreover, through the practices of lungta (windhorse), we raise our inner subtle wind-energies, increase our life-span, merit and prosperity, and create the best circumstances for good health, peace and happiness in our lives. The ultimate point of such practice is to awaken the clarity aspect of our minds, to bring us into closer contact with our own rigpa.
The powerful practice of Sollo Chenmo—a practice of invocation and offering to Gesar—will also be recited once a day.
In brief, there is no better way to enter into the New Year auspiciously!
All practice sessions will be held and guided by Rigpa Senior Practice Holders and each year a new collection of short evocative teachings are shared to inspire our practice.
The Tibetan New Year (Losar) period is traditionally a very important time for practice in all Tibetan Monasteries. Holding annual practice intensives and drupchös during this period in Lerab Ling was very much initiated by Sogyal Rinpoche, and the Lerab Ling practice team does its utmost to continue this annual tradition of group Vajrayana practice for the benefit of the whole sangha and all beings.
In particular, during the first month of the Tibetan calendar (this year 7 Feb. – 8 Mar.), the Holy month of Bumjur Dawa, the effects of positive actions are said to be multiplied 100,000 times. Therefore practice is emphasized during this period.
WHO THIS EVENT IS FOR?
The Riwo Sangchö intensive is recommended for Ngöndro students and Dzogchen Mandala students who have already received a Guru Rinpoche empowerment. It is a great opportunity for those new to the practice or those already familiar to deeply connect with and accomplish one of Rigpa’s daily sadhana practices.
WHAT ARE THE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS TO JOIN?
This practice intensive is most suited for students that:
- Have a firm grounding in the practice of ngöndro, which includes having received all the ngöndro teachings, up to and including guru yoga,
- Have started their ngöndro accumulations;
- Have already received some instructions for sadhana practice, including a basic understanding of the key principles of the Vajrayana. This means you have either followed:
- Rigpa’s study and practice programme of the Vajrayana cycle from the Three-year retreat, Home Retreat or Vajrayana online retreats streamed from Lerab Ling,
- Or you received these instructions during previous drupchens with Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche,
- Or you are a student from a sangha other than Rigpa and have received these instructions from a qualified Vajrayana teacher.
Please note – To participate in this practice intensive, a Guru Rinpoche empowerment (for example: Tendrel Nyesel, Rigdzin Düpa, Lama Norlha, Könchok Chidü…) is absolutely required.
PREPARING YOURSELF FOR THIS EVENT
You can support your practice by studying the Riwo Sangchö section of A Guide to Vajrayana Practice for the Rigpa Sangha which is available at ZAM. This will help make your participation as meaningful as possible.
More study resources are listed in Rigpa’s Riwo Sangchö Study & Practice Page.
Which texts to bring:
Read more information: How to access Vajrayana materials on ZAM.
HOW TO FOLLOW
• The best of course is to follow onsite in Lerab Ling.
• However, you can also follow this practice intensive online via Prajna live [link: https://prajnaonline.org/live ] (there is no need to register). This live streaming is offered on a donation basis. We suggest 21€ per day as a contribution to the offerings, the running of the event and to make the streaming possible. You can donate here.
TEACHERS
This event is held and presided by Lerab Ling’s team of Senior Practice Holders, with the help of the whole Practice and Chöpön team.
PROVISIONAL SCHEDULE
08.00 – 09.15 Riwo Sangchö – session 1
short break
09.45 – 12.00 Riwo Sangchö & Sol Lo Chenmo – session 2
lunch break
14.00 – 15.15 Riwo Sangchö – session 3
short break
16.00 – 18.30 Tendrel Nyesel Tsok with
Extended Dharmapalas (incl. Magön Chamdral) & Yeshe Kuchokma
MORE INFORMATION
• Shedra Wiki article on Riwo Sangchö
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
START Tuesday 9 February at 8am
END Thursday 11 February at 7pm
REGISTRATION AND BADGE/KEY COLLECTION
Monday 8 February: 2pm – 6pm
Tuesday 9 February: 12pm – 2pm
If arriving after 6pm on Monday, please notify registration@rigpa.org
