Dear Practitioners,

We sincerely invite you to participate in an upcoming three-day retreat and learning event hosted by H.E. Namkhung Tsokhang Choktrul Urgyen Dhimed Rinpoche and Venerable Rangrig Rinpoche. The event will take place from August 31, 2024, to September 2, 2024. This retreat is free of charge, with optional offerings, and includes accommodation and meals. This is an extremely precious opportunity for you to receive guidance from Rinpoche, delve deeply into Ngondro practice and Chod Practice, learn the use of the drum, bell, and kangling, and take part in the preparation for the Stupa preparation volunteer. Every evening, the bonfire Q&A session will offer you a chance to engage in direct conversation with the masters, receive answers to your questions on the path of practice, and share wisdom and experiences.

No matter what stage you are at in your practice, we look forward to spending this auspicious time together, making your spiritual journey more complete and fulfilling. Let us grow in wisdom and compassion together during this joyous time of dharma. Those who are planning to attend please bring your chod practice items, (drum and bell). If you don’t have a drum and bell, perhaps you can ask to to borrow one from someone not attending. Also if you have a Chod tent (single person tent) or one you may wish to bring.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Riwotsegya Thorma Buddhist Institute

Day 1: Saturday, Aug 31, 2024

9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Breakfast

10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Ngondro practice

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Drum, bell and kangling teaching and practice

12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch

1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Stupa project

6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Dinner

7 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Red Chod

7:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Bonfire preparation

8 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Potato Bonfire Q&A
(All participants are required to write a Ngondro-related question on a piece of paper and sign their names. Rinpoche will answer the questions and the pieces of paper will be rolled up and put in a jar to be used the next day. On day 2, each participant must randomly select a roll of question paper and summarize the answer, regardless of whose question is chosen. Everyone is permitted to make notes, document the session, and bring Ngondro-related texts to aid with answering questions.

Day 2: Sunday, Sept 1, 2024

9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Breakfast

10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Ngondro practice

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Drum, bell, and kangling teaching and practice

12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch

1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Stupa project

6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Dinner

7 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Red Chod

7:30 p.m – 8 p.m.
Bonfire preparation

8 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Bonfire Q&A
(Day 2 will follow up on Day 1’s discussions. Participants are required to pick a roll of question paper at random from the previous day and summarize the answer.
Please note: this should not be perceived as a daunting public examination, but rather as an enriching opportunity for open discourse with highly realized masters.)

Day 3: Monday, Sept 2, 2024

9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Breakfast

10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Ngondro practice

10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Drum, bell, and kangling test
(60 second demonstration)

12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch

1:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Stupa project