Dzogchen Meditation Retreat with Adzom Gyalse Rinpoche

We are honored to have Adzom Gyalse Tulku Rinpoche, a master of the Great Perfection, in the San Francisco Bay Area to teach on one of the most revered texts in the Dzogchen tradition, The Precious Treasury of The Basic Space of Phenomena, also known in Tibetan as the Chöying Dzöd.

Among the works authored by the great fourteenth-century Nyingma master, Longchen Rabjam (1308-1364), the Chöying Dzöd, is a masterpiece that synthesizes more than six hundred years of the Nyingma (“Ancients”) spiritual tradition. Chöying Dzöd focuses on the Dzogchen practice of trekchö, (break-through), in which delusion is cut through, and the primordially pure nature of mind is revealed, bringing the practitioner to effortless liberation.

Rinpoche has graciously agreed to teach specifically on Chapter 10 of this text, which explores in detail meditation instructions on how to recognize and gain familiarity with our own intrinsic awareness, the heart essence of all the Buddhas. Longchen Rabjam wrote, “This text will serve you as your eyes, so treat it with the highest respect.”

This will be a dynamic (interactive) retreat with periods of meditation, as well as question and answer sessions to clarify our understanding of practice of the highest teachings in the Nyingma lineage.

The Retreat will be offered at the beautiful Gyuto Foundation Monastery in Richmond, California from October 7 through October 10, 2023.

***PLEASE NOTE the requirements to attend the retreat: Rinpoche has asked those who have not received prior teachings on the Chöying Dzöd to accumulate 1,000 repetitions of the Seven Line Prayer prior to attending the retreat.

Adzom Gyalse Rinpoche has a direct, unbroken lineage back to Longchenpa. He was recognized by His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche as the tulku of the great Gyurme Dorje, the eldest son of Adzom Drukpa.

At an early age, Adzom Gyalse Rinpoche began receiving teachings, transmissions and empowerments from many eminent masters including His Eminence Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, Lama Tserpo Rinpoche, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Holiness Trulshik Rinpoche, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, and His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was Adzom Gyalse Rinpoche’s root guru.

Rinpoche is the master of all annual ceremonies at Shechen Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal and at a number of branch monasteries in Bhutan. He also gives guidance to monks and nuns in three-year retreat at his centers in Bhutan. For more biographical information, go to http://adzomgyalsetulku.com/en/.

Erik Drew will be translating for Adzom Gyalse Rinpoche. Erik has been a Tibetan translator for over 30 years. In his youth, he spent several years living as a monk at Rumtek Monastery under the guidance of His Holiness the 16th Karmapa. He has translated for dozens of lamas over the years and his translation skills are appreciated all over the world. He is a trusted translator for Adzom Gyalse Rinpoche.

The Gyuto Foundation, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery located in East Richmond Heights, California, is a charitable non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of Tibet’s living cultural and spiritual heritage. The Foundation supports activities dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Tibetan culture through teaching, hosting local University students, interfaith dialogues and cultural programs. The monastery is nestled next to Wildcat Canyon Regional Park, and there are opportunities to walk the grounds and a trail to circumambulate the monastery.

Ample parking is available in the main lot of the building. A side lot is available behind the building, around the corner on Cypress Ave.

For more information go to: https://gyutofoundation.org/

$450 Supporter (we appreciate support for those with less access to financial resources)

$350 Sustainer (allows us to meet the actual costs of the retreat)

$225 Supported (limited number)

Volunteer Scholarships available. No charge for monastics. No one turned away for lack of funds (contact Christine Rossi: [email protected]).

9:00-9:45 - Registration

9:45-10:00 - Cultivation of Bodhicitta

10:00-12:30 - Session 1

12:30-2:30 - Lunch

2:30-5:00 - Session 2

9:00-9:30 - Longchen Nyingthig Ngondro (optional - encouraged for those with the practice)

9:45-10:00 - Cultivation of Bodhicitta

10-12:30 - Session 1

12:30-2:30 - Lunch

2:30-5:00 - Session 2

Note: October 9 is Dakini Day and we will celebrate with tsok on this day.

Cushions and chairs are both available. We encourage people to bring their lunch each day for outdoor seating. Herbal tea will be provided.There will be no refrigerator space or microwave available. We also recommend bringing a bottle or thermos of water if you wish. Otherwise, people may drive to local restaurants (2 hour lunch break).

Limited housing for 6-8 people is available nearby the venue for $30/day, including rides to the venue. Proceeds will be donated to Rinpoche (Please contact Nina Shilling at [email protected] for details).

Masks will be welcomed and optional. We ask that anyone who is not feeling well or has any recent symptoms of COVID or other illness prior to the retreat – or who has been in close contact with anyone who is sick – not attend. If you are no longer able to attend, please let us know by emailing Christine Rossi: [email protected]. Given the unpredictability of COVID, and to protect Rinpoche’s health, N95 masks may become required.

Host or Publisher Tara Mandala Bay Area Sangha & Osel Thegchog Ling