Losar Drupchös 2025

Written by Paula on 26 January 2024.

LOSAR DRUPCHÖS

This series of practice events is open to Rigpa Dzogchen and Ngöndro Mandala students who know how to practise sadhana* and qualified Vajrayana students from other sanghas

Friday 28 February - Losar Day practices - Year of the Wood Snake
A special day for practice to create auspiciousness and celebrate the Tibetan New Year together with the sangha in Lerab Ling!

Lerab Ling will be hosting four of the most powerful practice events around Losar to remove the negativity of the old, and create the most auspicious circumstances for the new Tibetan year.

This series of drupchös, held by Rigpa students during the Losar period, is unique in the West. At this time, it is exceptionally important that we come together to uphold the Vajrayana practices and strengthen our resolve to progress on the path. This will support the harmony and flourishing of our sangha.

You can also make a meaningful connection with these practices by making an offering online dedicated to remove obstacles for yourself or a loved one. Your dedication will be included during the practices.

LOSAR PRACTICE EVENTS

• Rigdzin Düpa Drupchö
• Yang Nying Pudri Drupchö & Losar Day Practices
• Riwo Sangchö Practice Intensive
• Tendrel Nyesel Drupchö
• Chimé Pakmé Nyingtik Drupchö in English
  
  

MEDITATION BREAK AND PRACTICE RETREATS

Written by Paula on 19 November 2016.

MEDITATION BREAKS & PRACTICE RETREATS

Meditate, practice and recharge your batteries in the middle of nature

If you feel the need to take a break from your daily life and stresses, it may be time to reconnect with nature and recharge your batteries in a peaceful atmosphere.

In the unique spiritual environment of Lerab Ling, we offer you the opportunity to experience:

You can join us for:

• a meditation break (open to all) to learn to meditate or deepen your practice. 
• a sangha practice retreat (for Rigpa students only) to advance your practice and personal study.
  
  

In both cases, you will have the support of experienced instructors to guide you, and have access to a library and video teachings to further your study.

You can learn more about each of these options by clicking on one of the pictures below.

Practice Retreats for the Sangha

Written by Nicolas Schram on 27 November 2019.

PRACTICE RETREATS FOR THE SANGHA

Deepening your study and practice in a blessed environment

Wherever you are on the path, doing a retreat is an amazing opportunity to deepen your study and practice in the blessed environment of Lerab Ling.

From September to June, you can choose to come for one or several weeks or even longer. There could be a possibility to do a retreat outside this period depending on the number and types of events that are taking place at the time. Please check availability at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Before you come to Lerab Ling, a guide will help you to plan your retreat, help you settle in when you arrive and assist you with practical and spiritual support throughout your stay.

During your retreat you can choose to focus on studying a particular subject or text, accomplish the practice of meditation or compassion, accumulating your Ngöndro or sadhana practice, or focus on Dzogchen practice.

While on retreat, you are welcome to practise in one of the temple shrine rooms when they are available. You are free to join the daily group practices such as Riwo Sangchö and Tendrel Nyesel.

HOW TO REGISTER

Dates: September to June (to be confirmed depending on the events that are happening in Lerab Ling). In 2024, Practice Retreats end on 5 June and resume in September.
Arrival dates & times: Monday to Friday between 10am and 5pm.
Event contribution: From €21 to €7/day depending on the length of your retreat (does not include accommodation and meals). This contribution covers the support for your retreat as well as administrative and other costs.

Please note - The minimum stay for a practice retreat is of 1 week

Before you register please contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and fill-in an application form below. Once the dates and details are confirmed, we will send you a link to register online. Please register at least 2 weeks before the start of your retreat.

REDUCTIONS ON ACCOMMODATION

Except during main events (please check with us).

Different types of accommodation are available depending on the season, ranging from a simple wooden cabin in the forest to a retreat room or studio with a view of the temple. Reduced rates are available for longer stay.

• 25% off for retreats from 8 days to 3 weeks
• 45% off for retreats from 3 to 6 weeks
• 65% off for retreats of more than 6 weeks
  
  

STUDY & PRACTICE GRANTS

If you have the heartfelt wish to do a practice retreat but lack financial means, you now have the opportunity to ask for support from the Study & Practice Grant. Read more

The Way of the Great Perfection Ngöndro Retreat & 3-day Extension 2025

Written by Patricia Pinglot on 12 July 2025.

THE WAY OF THE GREAT PERFECTION NGÖNDRO RETREAT & 3-DAY EXTENSION

Taking Refuge: From Now until Enlightenment

Dates: 12-20 July 2025, with extension for personal accumulations until 23 July.
Event onsite only.

If you want to start practising the Ngöndro but you don’t know how to start or lacked the courage so far; if you are already an established Ngöndro practitioner; then this retreat is for you!

It is an occasion for anybody interested in Ngöndro to come together, learn about the Ngöndro, deepen their understanding, and meet like-minded practitioners. This retreat is a celebration of the vajrayana preliminary practices, Ngöndro, which have the power to bring you from wherever you are now all the way to enlightenment in this very lifetime.

This year, the retreat will especially focus on taking Refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha which is the foundation and essence of the Buddhist path. Those following the programme The Way of the Great Perfection will know that this practice accompanies us from the point of entering the path all the way to its fruition. In fact, taking Refuge is synonymous with following the path. Studying and reflecting on the Refuge teachings will deepen and clarify our path, no matter where we are in our spiritual development.

During the retreat we will engage in this practice together, with our body speech and mind: offering prostrations to one of the most sacred images of Shakyamuni Buddha in the West, reciting the refuge prayer, and with our mind and heart taking refuge in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. In addition, we will cover all the other aspects of Ngöndro, sharing the best teachings, instructions on how to practise them, and guidance on how to apply them in our daily lives.

There will be time for you to progress in your personal accumulations in different shrine rooms of the Lerab Ling Temple. Also, participants will be offered individual guidance from teachers, and there will be opportunities to share their experience with fellow students.

During the retreat you will have the opportunity to receive Pratimoksha vows which are associated with Taking Refuge.

HOW TO FOLLOW

For this retreat, we can all say goodbye, if only temporarily, to Zoom and come together in the blessed, beautiful environment of Lerab Ling and enjoy the company of fellow practitioners in person. Hence, the retreat is open to all Rigpa students.

Students also have the opportunity to continue the momentum of the main retreat with an extension of 3 days (21-23 July) to focus on their accumulations. During this period, students will practise on their own; optional guidance from one of the teachers or practice holders will also be available.

TEACHERS / INSTRUCTORS

Ruth Seehausen, Javier Torales, Miguel Oramas, Naomi Gassler

This retreat will be held by Rigpa Senior teacher Ruth Seehausen and Rigpa teachers Javier Torales, Miguel Oramas and Naomi Gassler.
Ruth and Javier have been teaching the topic of Taking Refuge for many years. Naomi and Miguel developed “The Way of the Great Perfection”, the recent iteration of “The All-Encompassing Path to Enlightenment”, Rigpa’s study programme for the entire sangha.

PROVISIONAL SCHEDULE

There will be 5 sessions a day at these approximate times:

Session 1 (9:00-10:00): Guided Ngöndro practice
Session 2 (10:30-12:00): Teaching
Lunch
Session 3 (15:00-16:00): Guided practice, group discussion, time for personal interviews with a teacher, or for personal practice
Session 4 (16:30-18:00): Guided contemplation
Dinner
Session 5 (19:00-20:00): Time for personal practice