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
Saturday 10 February - Losar Day practices - Year of the Wood Dragon 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.
> KNOWING HOW TO PRACTISE SADHANA MEANS:
- Having a firm grounding in the practice of Ngöndro, which includes having received all the Ngöndro teachings, up to and including guru yoga, as well as having accumulated at least 25% of the Ngöndro; - Having already received a Vajrayana empowerment from a qualified master and being committed to keeping the specific Vajrayana precepts; - Additionally, you have received instructions for sadhana practice, including a basic understanding of the view, meditation and conduct of the Vajrayana and its main key principles. 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.
> BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING IN DRUPCHÖS
A drupchö is a less elaborate form of a drupchen, which literally means ‘great accomplishment’ and comprises intensive group practice that brings together the depth, power, and precision of the Vajrayana, drawing together the entire range of its skilful methods. It is said that several days participating in a drupchö or drupchen can yield the same results as years of solitary retreat, and great contemporary masters such as Kyabjé Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche have made a point of encouraging and reviving the practice of drupchen, because of its power of transformation.
> MAKE AN OFFERING TO THE DRUPCHÖS
You can also make a meaningful connectionwith 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.
> PRACTICE TRAINING EVENTS
Lerab Ling is holding a practice training around the practice events, mainly for practice holders in the area of Chöpön, Umdze and Practice Coordination. You can join one training event or combine several or join all. If you are interested, and also if you want to combine several training events, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we help you how to register for the Training events.
Here are the dates for the Practice Training Events:
- Training and Rigdzin Düpa Drupchö Losar: 24 – 29 Feb (arrival day 23 Jan) - Training and Yang Nying Pudri: 2 – 11 Feb (arrival day 1 Feb) - Training and Riwo Sangchö Intensive: Training from 10 – 15 Feb (arrival day 9 Feb) - Training and Tendrel Nyesel Drupchö: Training from 17 – 28 Feb (arrival day 16 Feb) - Training, Khandro Tsering Chödrön’s Anniversary: 30 April – 5 May (arrival day 29 April) - Training and Drupchen with Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche, September: dates tbc - Training and Chime Pakme Nyingtik Drupchö English: dates tbc
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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.
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.
> FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Our commitment is for everyone who wishes to come to Lerab Ling, to have access to our programmes, whatever their financial circumstances. We offer different options for those who are unable to pay the standard contribution.
You can book your meals and/or onsite accommodation when registering for the retreat/event. For more information on our accommodation and meals click here
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
60% 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
This event is open to Rigpa Ngöndro and Dzogchen Mandala students & students from other sanghas who fulfil certain Vajrayana requirements.
Specific criteria & Application Forms are available below.
We are honoured that Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche will visit Lerab Ling again this year. On this occasion he will bestow a number of teachings, empowerments and transmissions that have been specially requested by the Sangha for their practice and study of the Vajrayana.
EMPOWERMENTS
Rinpoche has kindly agreed to grant the major empowerment of Chimé Phakmé Nyingtik—'The Sublime Lady of Immortality’, the terma treasure revealed by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and a profound longevity practice focusing on White Tara. This extensive empowerment, which has only been granted twice to the Rigpa Sangha in 1996 and 2013, will enable practitioners to carry out retreats and nyenpa practice of Chimé Phakmé Nyingtik.
In addition, Rinpoche will confer the empowerment of Lerab Lingpa’s revelation Tendrel Nyesel, which centres on Guru Padmasambhava, and is such a vital practice for the Rigpa community.
This will be followed by the empowerments for: · the famous Nyingtik Saldrön guru yoga practice of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö, an empowerment which has never been received by the Rigpa community, although teachings about the practice have been given in the past, and · Lhatsün Doha, a guru yoga of Lhatsün Namkha Jigme, a terma of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
Rabjam Rinpoche will also be granting the empowerment of Netik Phurba—a Vajrakilaya practice which Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo received through oral transmission. This Vajrakilaya empowerment will allow Rigpa students to practise the three daily Vajrakilaya practices found in the ‘Rigpa Daily Sadhana Practice’ book. More details here.
TEACHINGS
During this five-day period, Rinpoche will also give teachings on:
Shamatha meditation in the context of The Treasury of Blessings, Mipham Rinpoche’s famous practice of Buddha Shakyamuni, along with Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche’s commentary The Sage who Dispels Mind’s Anguish;
Mind training (lojong) from Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo’s composition: Ambrosia for the Mind;
Generation phase practice (kyerim) related to Shechen Gyaltsab Rinpoche’s remarkable guidance manual on Vajrayana practice The Illuminating Jewel Mirror; and
The nature of mind.
***Rabjam Rinpoche has agreed that the teachings on calm abiding (shamatha) and mind training (lojong) along with the reading transmissions of the corresponding texts can be streamed live on 6 and 7 November. Find all details here.
READING TRANSMISSIONS
As well as these instructions, Rinpoche will give reading transmissions for all the appropriate texts, making these five days in November a rare and extraordinary event for all practitioners, embracing the whole spectrum of Mahayana and Vajrayana practice.
WHAT ARE THE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS TO JOIN ONSITE?
Before applying for these empowerments and teachings, take the time to reflecton whether you are ready to receive them and understand the commitments that you are taking.
Please check that you fulfil the following requirements.
You are a member of the Ngöndro or Dzogchen Mandala (this does not apply if you are the member of another sangha). If you feel you should be part of the Ngöndro Mandala but are not yet, please contact your local instructor to have an interview.
You have already formally entered the Mahayana Buddhist path by taking Refuge and Bodhisattva vows;
You have a solid foundation and experience of the principles and practices of the Mahayana;
You have received teachings on all the ngöndro practices, including guru yoga.
You have started your ngöndro accumulations and are on track to continue.
You understand the samaya vows related to empowerment in general and are willing to take the ones related to the upcoming empowerments, which might include practice commitments.
You have spent some time examining your own motivation for receiving these transmissions.
You have spent some time examining the master giving these empowerments.
Young adults above 16 years of age should fulfil the above criteria to attend the event and fill in the application forms below.
Children below 16 can accompany their parents during the sessions if they wish to. A venue upstairs, in a separate shrine room with live transmission, will also be made available for parents to follow with younger children. Please do not consider that children are actually receiving the empowerments, but simply blessings.
Read Poison is Medicine and Guru Drinks Bourbon? by one of Rigpa’s Spiritual Advisors Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse;
Speak to a Teacher or Practice Holder at your local centre to clarify any questions.
***If you would like us to organise a session with Rigpa Senior Teachers to answer your questions about this event, please fill in this form and we will try to organise a session in September or October 2024.
HOW TO JOIN
Please fill in this application form by the 29th of October 2024 if you wish to attend these teachings & transmissions. If you qualify, you will receive a link to register for this event. You may also be contacted by one of our teachers to clarify your path of study and practice.
Please allow us at least two weeks to examine your request. 1) Application form for students of other sanghas 2) Application form for Rigpa Ngöndro Mandala students 3) Application form for Rigpa Dzogchen Mandala students
> PRACTICAL INFO
START Tuesday 5 November - 8pm END Sunday 10 November – 6.30pm
CHECK-IN AND PICK-UP BADGES Tuesday 5 November: 2pm - 7pm For arrivals after 7pm on Tuesday, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
CONTRIBUTION to the event - €260 (Does not include accommodation and meals)
LANGUAGES Teachings: Tibetan, English Translation: French, German, Spanish, Chinese
TRANSPORT Tuesday 5 November Montpellier to Lerab Ling - 2h travel time (€30) Depart from Montpellier airport at 15:15 Depart from Montpellier Sud de France train station at 15:45 Depart from Montpellier Saint Roch train station at 16:15 Monday 11 November Lerab Ling to Montpellier - 2h travel time (€30) Depart from Lerab Ling to Montpellier at 8:30 (Méditerranée airport, Sud de France train station and Saint Roch train station)
One of the most eminent masters in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche is the grandson and spiritual heir of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Rinpoche has dedicated his life to transmitting the profound and rich teachings of the ancient Nyingma lineage passed down by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
Rabjam Rinpoche is one of the main masters of the Nyingma and Longchen Nyingtik traditions that Rigpa relies on to continue granting transmissions, empowerments, pith instructions and teachings.
He is deeply revered by practitioners worldwide, not only for his extraordinary qualities but also for the way in which he continues Khyentse Rinpoche’s vision of safeguarding the teaching and culture of Tibetan Buddhism. Rinpoche is greatly loved and appreciated everywhere on account of his generosity, his modern approach and his warm and endearing presence.
The Rigpa community holds Rabjam Rinpoche especially close to their heart, deeply grateful for his constant kindness and guidance.
Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche will be assisted and translated by Ven. Sean Price. Sean Price was ordained as a monk in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition in 1994 and has since studied at various monastic institutes in India and Nepal. A number of his translations have been published: The Supreme Siddhi of Mahamudra: Teachings, Poems, and Songs of the Drukpa Kagyu Lineage (Snow Lion Publications and The Emanated Scripture of Manjushri: Shabkar's Essential Meditation Instructions (Snow Lion Publications). He has been Tsadra Foundation’s Director of Tibetan Publications since 2009. He currently resides at the Shechen Monastery, Nepal.
PROVISIONAL SCHEDULE
5 November 20.00-21.00: Important introduction session
6-10 November 09.30-10.30: Teaching with Rabjam Rinpoche 11.00-12.30: Empowerments and reading transmissions with Rabjam Rinpoche 15.00-16.00: Presentations with Rigpa Teachers and/or Practice Holders 16.30-18.30: Tendrel Nyesel Tsok
> FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Our commitment is for everyone who wishes to come to Lerab Ling, to have access to our programmes, whatever their financial circumstances. We offer different options for those who are unable to pay the standard contribution.
You can book your meals and/or onsite accommodation when registering for the retreat/event. For more information on our accommodation and meals click here
Stay informed about Lerab Ling’s programme of events, courses and activities by signing up for our monthly newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time...
Lerab Ling, under the patronage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is one of the main centres preserving the authentic study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism. Founded in 1991...
Rabjam Rinpoche will also be granting the empowerment of Netik Phurba—a Vajrakilaya practice which Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo received through oral transmission. This Vajrakilaya empowerment will allow Rigpa students to practise the three daily Vajrakilaya practices found in the ‘Rigpa Daily Sadhana Practice’ book. More details 
Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche will be assisted and translated by Ven. Sean Price.
