The Tibetan word Dzinpa means “to cling” or “to fixate.” Rang means “natural” or “innate” and dröl means “to liberate.” Together, the terms Dzinpa Rangdröl may be translated as Natural Liberation of Clinging or Fixation— a path in which our dualistic clinging to self and other is naturally liberated in its own place. Dzinpa Rangdröl is the core text of Do Khyentse’s extensive terma (treasure) cycle called the Yangsang Khandro Tug Tig (Exceedingly Secret Heart Essence of the Dakini). Within this cycle are all of the different types of practices that comprise the full Tibetan Buddhist path.

Over the course of the program, a close cohort of fellow practitioners will develop, providing a 

sense of camaraderie and support; there will be community-building groups and a buddy system while engaging in these profound practices. Each practitioner will also be assigned a Kalyanamitra, a spiritual mentor, with whom they will communicate with monthly, get support, and share experiences.

The Foundation Program spans three years and covers the Ngöndro, or ‘that which goes before,’ which is the gateway practice for entering the profound lineage of the Dzinpa Rangdröl cycle. This program is designed so that participants will complete the Dzinpa Rangdröl Ngöndro at the end of the three years. Since the time of Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century, the practice of Ngöndro has been completed by many great yogis and yoginis, many of whom have taken Ngöndro as one of their core practices. Commensurate with the complete body of the Dzinpa Rangdröl cycle, many practices in this Ngöndro are considered esoteric and in the past were given only as a practitioner’s second Ngöndro. In this Ngöndro, one completes the outer preliminaries. The contemplations on the Four Thoughts that turn the Mind: Precious Human Body, Impermanence, Karma, and

Suffering of Samsara, plus the blessings of the Lama. Following those are inner preliminaries 100,000 prostrations with refuge; 40,000 Bodhicitta prayers with accompanying compassion meditation; 100,000 Vajrasattva mantras; 100,000 Mandala Offerings; and 1,200,000 Guru Yoga mantras.

Each of these practices are accompanied by visualizations. The purpose of these practices is to purify the body, speech, and mind and to accumulate merit, akin to preparing the foundation before a house is built. Practitioners should expect to practice 2-3 hours a day.

Those who have already completed a Ngöndro in another lineage will be required to do 10% of the Dzinpa Rangdröl Ngöndro in order to enter into the second level/Complete Transmission Program. To receive these instructions and begin the practice, there are no additional prerequisites; however, it is a practice that requires great effort and commitment. The application and interview process must also be completed.

The second section of the program builds upon the Foundation Program and is for those who have completed the Ngöndro requirement. The five years of this curriculum include the Deity Yoga practices of Tsogyal Karmo and Tröma, Tsalung yoga (adjusted for those with physical limitations), and the Dzogchen preliminaries of Outer and Inner Rushen, followed by Tregchö and Tögal. There are also various other yogic and Dzogchen practices attached to this cycle, including three main Chöd practices of varying lengths. There will be both group and solitary retreat requirements as well as a commitment to regular two-hour daily practice.

Prerequisites: Completing the Foundation Program (Ngöndro) or 10% of the Dzinpa Rangdröl Ngöndro if you have already completed Ngöndro in another lineage. An interview may be requested and acceptance into the program is required. What is unique in Gateway is you will have support from your cohort and Kalyanamitra during the process.

Upon acceptance into either cycle of this program, the financial commitment includes:

• Payment of an annual administrative fee of $350 will be due after being formally accepted into the program. This amount will be charged to your account annually, or through monthly payments. This fee covers administrative costs, costs for translation of relevant texts, text editing and preparation, webcast administration and group oversight.
  • If you are a member of another long-term program through Tara Mandala (Magyu or Ösel Nyingtig), please know that you will be charged a combined fee of $500 for both programs starting at the time that you are accepted to the Gateway program (this reflects a $200 discount for being part of both lineages). If you are already a member of two long-term programs at Tara Mandala and are interested in joining the Gateway program, please communicate this in your application.

“I have participated in the Gateway program for five years now. It has profoundly changed my life. Being given access to these precious teachings in a structured and progressive format has been a great gift. Having the support of Sangha, Teachers and, of course, Lama la…well…there are no words. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to participate.”

L. Treasure, Garuda Cohort 2013

“By committing myself to practice for two hours a day, I started on a path that has activated a REAL process of stripping away what’s false in my life. The commitment has necessitated a lot of distraction falling away, and the outcome is a reorientation of my value system and my way of being in the world. Seven years into the practices, I feel a great deal of inner simplification and clarity. I am constantly touched by the deep psychological wisdom in these ancient processes and the way each step catalyzes the next layer to open. The feedback that comes from life in the world becomes part of this dialogue. During my time in the program, I have experienced deeply disorientating personal tragedy and loss, but I was able to relax into the groundlessness by staying with the process and through the support of Lama and the Sangha. In this way, it became a doorway to understanding the true groundless state of awareness.”

 

Rosemary Bourne, Acupuncturist

In 2013 I entered the Gateway program, as it afforded me the opportunity to become immersed in traditional Tibetan Buddhist practices while living as a lay person. It was with some trepidation that I made the commitment: I was not sure that I was ready to practise so intensively; in addition, I live in South Africa, which seemed far away physically and culturally from Tara Mandala and this lineage. Lama Tsultrim gave me the sound advice to take things year by year. As I did so, Dzinpa Rangdröl  practices gave me many gifts: discipline; insights into and understanding of myself and the world around me; the joy of practising and sharing in community; to name just a few. The love and support of the Teachers and Sangha at Tara Mandala helped me negotiate practice obstacles and form deep spiritual bonds; and allowed me to recognize that we are all connected, no matter how far apart we may sometimes feel. Much gratitude to Gochen Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche and Lama Tsultrim for bringing this practice cycle to us.

Helen Friedlande
Pretoria, South Africa
Garuda Cohort 2013

Joining the Gateway Program was taking a deep dive into Tibetan Buddhism. I had been practicing vipassana/mindfulness meditation and knew a little bit about the preliminary practices/ Ngöndro. I met Lama Tsultrim at a Wisdom Dakini retreat and felt a strong connection to her. 

 

I have both loved and felt challenged by each stage of the program and the different practices. I remember Lama Tsultrim saying that Ngöndro  is a bit like going through the washing machine. I would say that is true for all the practices. It has been transformational for me, through both the thinning of my ego and the strengthening of my spirit and connection to the lineage. 

 

I have had the good fortune of a strong connection with my Kalyanamitra, a great therapist/practitioner as well as some buddies to reach out to for support and comradery. It has been an enormous blessing which continues to deepen and expand.

 

Jeanne Mahon
Tiger Cohort 2016

When I joined the Gateway program in 2013, I was yearning for a way to deepen my Buddhist practice and make it a central part of my life. The profound practices in the Dzinpa Rangdröl  cycle, and the discipline required, gave me the tools to do that. The systemic approach – starting with ngöndro  and moving up through esoteric practices – led me through examining (and transforming) my way of being in the world. I feel lighter and more at ease because I’m less attached to circumstances and identity. The Gateway program provided a container, with support and guidance from teachers as well as a cohort of practitioners who became dear friends.

 

Nancy Thompson
Garuda Cohort 2013

At Trungpa Rinpoche’s cremation, I went for refuge with Khyentse Rinpoche, and, received direct introduction to the nature of mind! 20 years later, LamaTsultrim gave me transmission to the Longchen Nyinthig ngöndro . Finishing that 6 years later, I was at a loss. Being a married-with-children-householder, a 3-year retreat was not in the cards. Aspiring to be a ’serious practitioner’, I was excited to hear about the Gateway Program and joined immediately. It enabled me to navigate committed relationship, child rearing, and intense practice to stay on the path of the precious transmission I received 25 years earlier.”   

 

Anonymous

Lama Tsultrim, Lopön  Beth and the Tara Mandala staff have established the Gateway Program for the benefit of laypersons willing to study and practice a precious set of teachings that is historically reserved for the monastic community. They have thoughtfully crafted the program and have supported and continue to support 3 cohorts of students. It is a very rigorous and challenging program that has impacted me in ways that were unexpected. I joined because Lama thought it would benefit my cultivation. I believe that is true. My awareness continues to shift and expand. Each teaching has a profound effect. The process is not easy. It is made possible because there is support; the teachings are offered, Kalyanamitras (spiritual friends) are available for ongoing check-ins, and cohort members help each other. Help also comes from other realms. If there is something in you that wants to practice a very sophisticated set of teachings that can lead you to liberation, this program is a choice with significant potential.

 

Karen Fong
Garuda Cohort 2013