Chimé Pakmé Nyingtik Drupchö & Teachings on Guru Yoga, 5-8 October

Written by Paula on 05 October 2023.

CHIMÉ PAKMÉ NYINGTIK DRUPCHÖ & TEACHINGS ON GURU YOGA

With Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche

Dates: from 5 to 8 October

Open to Buddhist students who fulfil 
certain Vajrayana requirements (see below)

Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche is considered as one of the main authorities on elaborate Vajrayana rituals within the Nyingma tradition. He has regularly been giving teachings, transmissions, leading drupchös and drupchens (intensive Vajrayana group practices) and presiding over many sacred constructions in Rigpa centres since 1996.

It’s been more than four years since we were last able to welcome Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche and his monks to Europe. We are incredibly fortunate that he has accepted the invitation to come back since it is increasingly rare for Rinpoche to travel to Europe.

This year in Lerab Ling, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche will preside over a 3-day Drupchö of Chimé Pakmé Nyingtik (a longevity practice based on White Tara) and give teachings on Guru Yoga. Anyone who has attended teachings and participated in practices with Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche and his monks will know what an incredibly powerful experience it is.

1. CHIME PAKME NYINGTIK DRUPCHÖ (5-7 October)

Chimé Pakmé Nyingtik (‘The Heart Essence of the Sublime Lady of Immortality’) is a long-life practice revealed as mind terma by Jamyang Khyentsé Wangpo. It accomplishes the three deities of longevity: White Tara, Amitayus and Ushnishavijaya.

Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche considers the Chimé Pakmé Nyingtik practice to be the most appropriate for us to focus on in Lerab Ling since we have a long tradition of practising the sadhana and most of our Vajrayana sangha have already received the empowerment several times (including recently from Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche).

A drupchö is a form of elaborate and intensive group practice performed over three to seven days that epitomises the depth, power, and precision of the Vajrayana, drawing together the entire range of its skilful methods. Unlike a drupchen, which is also practised over several days, this is not a 24h practice but is only done during the day.

Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche will preside over the drupchö, assisted by a few monks, and we will all practise together to accomplish this practice for the benefit of all sentient beings. You don’t have to be a perfect practitioner to benefit from a drupchö!

WHAT ARE THE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS TO JOIN THE DRUPCHÖ?

This drupchö is a Vajrayana event and as such has some specific requirements:

• You are a member of the Rigpa Ngöndro Mandala or Dzogchen Mandala.*
• If you are the member of another sangha, it would be expected that:
  
  
  • You have already formally entered the Mahayana Buddhist path by having taken Refuge and the 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 established the practice of ngöndro and have started your ngöndro accumulations.

Additionally:

• To engage in the practice, you should have already received a Chimé Pakmé Nyingtik empowerment. As the Vajrayana teachings clearly point out, without the proper empowerment, there can be no accomplishment.
• It would be best if you would have already received some general instructions on how to practise sadhana, including at least a basic understanding of the view, meditation and conduct of the Vajrayana and its main key principles before joining the event.

However, if you do not meet the last two requirements (empowerment and general instructions on sadhana) but you have received other Vajrayana empowerments, it’s still possible to join the drupchö and do your own practice. In this case we recommend you simply come to the weekend option (7-8 October). See details below.

2. GURU YOGA TEACHINGS (8 October)

Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche will be teaching on the Nyingtik Saldrön, The Bright Lamp of the Heart Essence, a guru yoga practice composed by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö which became especially popular among his disciples. Rinpoche will also teach on the commentary of the Nyingtik Saldrön, the Yeshe Saldrön, The Bright Light of Wisdom, which emphasises how the root lama is the manifestation of our mind’s true nature.

WHAT ARE THE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS TO JOIN THE GURU YOGA TEACHINGS?

These are Vajrayana teachings, so the requirements are similar to the ones mentioned above:

• You are a member of the Rigpa Ngöndro Mandala or Dzogchen Mandala.*
• If you are the member of another sangha, it would be expected that:
  
  
  • You have already formally entered the Mahayana Buddhist path by having taken Refuge and the 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 established the practice of ngöndro and have started your ngöndro accumulations.

Additionally:

• You have already received a Vajrayana empowerment from the inner tantras (such as Rigdzin Düpa, Tendrel Nyesel, Chimé Pakmé Nyingtik, etc.).
  
  

HOW TO JOIN

Lerab Ling offers two participation options:

• The full programme consisting of the full 3-day Drupchö on 5-7 October & the teachings on Guru Yoga on 8 October (especially recommended for those who have the Chimé Pakmé Nyingtik empowerment)
• The weekend option consisting of the last day of the Drupchö and receiving the siddhis (blessings) of this amazing Drupchö on 7 October and the teachings on Guru Yoga on 8 October (recommended for those who don’t have the Chimé Pakmé Nyingtik but meet the above criteria)

PARTICIPATION IN ACTIVITY

One important element of a drupchö is accomplishing the different activities together, as a drupchen text says, 'from the vajra king to the vajra sweeper'. It creates a very joyful atmosphere if everybody contributes in small ways, e.g. by preparing the offerings or tormas, serving tea and food, cleaning the practice space, or the dishes, opening shrines, or lighting the sang fire, etc. Everybody who is contributing to make this drupchö happen, in whichever way that may be, is part of the mandala and will share in the same merit and blessings.

Equally, all participants are invited to contribute as generously as possible to the material offerings for these practices such as lights, incense, flowers, tsok, tormas and other substances that are made on a daily basis. Please donate here.

If you are not able to attend in person, you can also make an auspicious connection by making a donation towards the offerings.

MORE INFORMATION

More information can be found on the Rigpa Shedra Wiki

• Orgyen Tobgyal Rinopche’s more extensive biography and other links
• Chimé Pakmé Nyingtik
• Drupchö
• Drupchen
• Empowerment 

* If you feel you should be part of the Ngöndro Mandala but are not yet, please contact your local instructor to have an interview. 

PERSONAL AND PRACTICE RETREATS

Written by Paula on 19 November 2016.

PERSONAL AND 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 personal retreat (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)
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
• 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