“The blessings of these treasures are so fresh, the
warm breath of the Dakini is still upon them!”
warm breath of the Dakini is still upon them!”
~Orgyen Khakhyab Lingpa
This recently revealed terma cycle on the Luminous Heart Essence of the Great Perfection, the Ösel Dzogpa Chenpo Nyingtig, is the very enlightened intent of the Buddhas of the three times. This treasure carries incredible blessings for swiftly traversing the path to enlightenment. This extraordinary cycle connects us not only with the luminous presence of Guru Rinpoche, but also with Yeshe Tsogyal.
In this 3 minute video, recorded in late 2019, Lama Tsultrim Allione and her son Dorje Gyaltsab Tulku Ösel Dorje introduce the Ösel Nyingtig Program. Click here to view a more in-depth video introduction »
This recently revealed terma cycle on the Luminous Heart Essence of the Great Perfection, the Ösel Dzogpa Chenpo Nyingtig, is the very enlightened intent of the Buddhas of the three times. This treasure carries incredible blessings for swiftly traversing the path to enlightenment. This extraordinary cycle connects us not only with the luminous presence of Guru Rinpoche, but also with Yeshe Tsogyal. We are offering the Ösel Nyingtig as a multi-year program for dedicated practitioners who desire a profound and direct path to realization based on the three-fold secret of the Great Mother.
This revelation manifested ‘due to the necessities of these times’ and there are many extraordinary predictions contained within these termas that foretell of fortunate disciples who will reach realization through the Ösel Nyingtig. It has been a closely guarded practice by those who initially received it in 2002. However, now that the seal of secrecy has been lifted we are excited to share with the sangha these teachings that have been so dear to our hearts.
With unwavering devotion to Orgyen Khakhyab Lingpa, in the summer of 2020, Lama Tsultrim Allione and her son Dorje Gyaltsab Tulku Ösel Dorje started to teach the profound dharma treasures of the Ösel Nyingtig. Each year, those who have committed to the Ösel Nyingtig cycle receive further teachings and practices from it. Throughout the year there are Zoom calls with the teachers as well as monthly group practices with senior practitioners, and webcasts with the tertön himself when possible.
The Osel Nyingtig Path is a step-by-step guide into the heart of Vajrayana and Dzogchen teachings. In the midst of these dark times, this Luminous Heart Essence of the Great Perfection has appeared as a beacon of light showing the way. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, this collection of teachings provides a succinct path to enlightenment. To learn more, click here.
Who is Orgyen Khakhyab Lingpa?
Born in 1971 near Chamdo in Eastern Tibet, Orgyen Khakhyab Lingpa is a living siddha widely seen as one of the greatest Dzogchen masters in Tibet today. He is also recognized as a reincarnation of King Trisong Detson, Vimalamitra, Jigme Lingpa, and Ngari Panchen. An extraordinary prodigy from a young age, Orgyen Khakhyab Lingpa began his studies at the age of five and undertook full-time retreat at eleven. At his teacher’s request, Rinpoche began teaching Dzogchen in 1984 when he was 13. Orgyen Khakhyab Lingpa is famous for his one-on-one Dzogchen instruction and his powerful energetic transmissions. Today he teaches regularly at his monastery and throughout Tibet and China on texts and practices from the major liturgical traditions within the Nyingma lineage, especially The Essence of the Vast Expanse (Longchen Nyingtig). He taught for many years at Tara Mandara where he made many prophecies, performed miracles and where he first revealed the Tröma from the extraordinary Ösel Nyingtig.
History of the Ösel Nyingtig
In the winter of 2002, during the Khandro Khegyang Chöd retreat in the original canvas yurt gompa at Tara Mandala before there were any buildings, in the midst of many auspicious signs, Orgyen Khakhyab Lingpa began to reveal the Ösel Nyingtig terma cycle. The exalted Practice for Accomplishing Tröma known as Secret Primordial Wisdom was the first of several Ösel Nyingtig termas to be revealed at Tara Mandala by Orgyen Khakhyab Lingpa. In the years that followed more
termas on Tröma were revealed. The teachings found within the Ösel Nyingtig have been practiced in secret by those who initially received them.
In 2007 while Rinpoche was visiting Yeshe Tsogyal’s birthplace, Tsogyal Lhatso in Central Tibet, at that time Yeshe Tsogyal actually revealed herself to Rinpoche. The texts that center around Yeshe Tsogyal were later decoded when Orgyen Khakhyab Lingpa was at Tara Mandala in 2007 at the behest of Lama Tsultrim Allione, and were transcribed with the help of Tulku Ösel Dorje.
After eighteen years of secrecy, Orgyen Khakhyab Lingpa has requested Lama Tsultrim Allione and her son Tulku Ösel Dorje to begin to transmit the teachings that he revealed at Tara Mandala.
Welcome to the Ösel Nyingtig Path
This recently revealed terma cycle on the Luminous Heart Essence of the Great Perfection, the Ösel Nyingtig Dzogpa Chenpo, is the very enlightened intent of the Buddhas of the three times. This treasure carries incredible blessings for swiftly traversing the path to enlightenment. This extraordinary cycle connects us not only with the luminous presence of Guru Rinpoche, but also with Yeshe Tsogyal. This program offers a complete path for practitioners at all levels.
How to Begin
The entry points to the Ösel Nyingtig Path are:
- Dakini Ngöndro (Preliminary Practices)
- Tröma Chöd
- Guru Sadhana
These foundational practices are open to anyone.
2025 Ösel Nyingtig events will be published soon. If you would like to be notified when new events are published, please fill out this form. If you need additional information or have questions, please contact us here.
The Practices of the Ösel Nyingtig Path
The Ösel Nyingtig Path offers a series of transformative practices. After entering the path, practitioners can progress as follows:
Core Practices
- Dakini Ngöndro
- Yeshe Tsogyal Sadhana
- Guru Sadhana
- Tröma Sadhana
- Tröma Chöd
Restricted Practices
- The multiyear Special Instructions on the Exceedingly Secret Tröma
- For those who complete Ngöndro Accumulations, the teachings culminate in Thregcho and Thogal
How to Walk the Path
- If you begin with The Guru Sadhana or Tröma Chöd, you will need to complete the Dakini Ngöndro before moving further.
- Once the Dakini Ngöndro is complete, you are eligible to receive any of the Sadhana Practices for Accomplishment.
- To receive Troma Secret Instructions, you must:
- Have completed the Dakini Ngöndro
- All Sadhana Practices and Chöd
Summary
The Ösel Nyingtig Path is a step-by-step guide into the heart of Vajrayana and Dzogchen teachings. In the midst of these dark times, this Luminous Heart Essence of the Great Perfection has appeared as a beacon of light showing the way. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, this collection of teachings provides a succinct path to enlightenment.
If you are currently already committed to doing Dakini Ngöndro, click here to inquire about continuing with the Ösel Nyingtig Program »
According to Orgyen Khakhyab Lingpa’s instructions this path is being made accessible to everyone who feels a connection to this profound lineage. The teachings found within these practices are considered advanced because they carry the direct blessings of the Dakini’s enlightened mind revealing one’s own naked awareness.
The emphasis in this lineage is meditation; therefore, the commitment that comes with these practices is to do them every day for a year, without missing a day. In the event that one does not have sufficient time to complete a full practice session, reading the text is sufficient for maintaining the commitment. In this practice, one’s progress is not evaluated on the basis of accumulating hundreds of thousands of recitations, but rather on one’s meditative experiences and the time one invests through maintaining the consistency of one’s practice.
It is recommended that Ösel Nyingtig participants complete the Heart of Buddhism Course in the first three years of Ösel Nyingtig. These retreats give a rich and necessary historical and practice framework for your path.
By joining the Ösel Nyingtig Program you will have access to the following:
- Scheduled group teachings throughout the year.
- Ösel Nyingtig website portal with supplementary material.
- Monthly group practice sessions guided by a senior practitioner.
- Access to Ösel Nyingtig community activities like book study groups, local peer and practice groups. One-on-one support provided as needed, via email or Zoom calls.
By joining the Ösel Nyingtig Program, you will also be supporting the dharma activities of Lama Tsultrim Allione and Tulku Ösel Dorje, the translation of root texts, the compiling of commentaries and practice resources, and the teachings and activities of Orgyen Khakhyab Lingpa Rinpoche.
How to Join the Ösel Nyingtig Program
Thank you for your interest in this extraordinary Lineage! The Ösel Nyingtig Path offers a series of profound Vajrayana and Dzogchen teachings for reaching realization. To begin the journey of the Luminous Great Perfection, follow the instructions below:
How to Start
You can enter the Ösel Nyingtig Path through one of the following practices:
- Dakini Ngöndro
- Tröma Chöd
- Guru Sadhana
Both practices are open to anyone interested in beginning this path.
- To join the Ösel Nyingtig, please check our calendar for upcoming retreats:
View Upcoming Retreats - If there are no scheduled retreats at this time, you can fill out the form below to be notified when the next opportunity becomes available:
Stay Notified - If you have questions or need additional information, please contact us here.
Progressing on the Path
After completing the Dakini Ngöndro, you can explore the following practices:
- Yeshe Tsogyal Sadhana
- Tröma Chöd
- Tröma Sadhana
- The Special Instruction on the Exceedingly Secret Tröma
- Tröma Secret Instructions
Stay Connected
- For the latest updates and retreat opportunities, visit our Ösel Nyingtig Retreat Calendar.
- Reach out anytime with questions or for guidance here.
Ösel Nyingtig Financial Commitment
Upon acceptance into either cycle of this program, the financial commitment includes:
- Payment of an annual administrative fee of $350 and after being formally accepted into the program. This amount will be charged to your account annually. This fee covers administrative costs, translation of relevant texts, text editing and preparation, webcast administration and group oversight.
- If you are a member in another long term program through Tara Mandala (Magyu or Gateway), 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 Ösel Nyingtig program (this reflects a $200 discount for being part of both lineages).
- Becoming a Sustaining Sangha member at $30/month Friend of Tara Mandala level or higher is also required. Membership offers an assortment of benefits including: 5% discount on one retreat annually, 5% discount in the Dakini Store, access to special content including teachings by Lama Tsultrim, and much more. Higher levels of support have additional benefits.
- This monthly donation to Tara Mandala supports our year-round programming and activities. It is tax deductible according to US tax laws. Please confirm this yourself with tax laws of other countries.
- Students under 25 years of age may sign up at $15 per month until they are over 25, at
which point they will be asked to increase their donation to $30 or higher per month.
- For those over the age of 65 who are living on a fixed income, you may be eligible for the $15 per month level. However, if you have the capacity to give at a $30+ level, we strongly encourage you to do so as these donations are crucial for covering our operational needs.
- The costs of your required annual group retreat(s) which will usually be one per year are also your responsibility, including travel costs if the retreats are held at Tara Mandala.
- Offering dana to teachers is also traditional and expected based on your capacity to give.
Participation in this program includes:
- Lama Tsultrim and Dorje Gyaltsab Tulku Ösel Dorje will offer Q+A sessions several times during the year.
- Scheduled group practice sessions throughout the year with senior practitioners.
- Access to a members-only website portal with important supplementary material.
- One-on-one support provided as needed, via email or video phone calls.
Financial Assistance
Once accepted, if you have financial hardships that make these financial commitments challenging, you can apply for a scholarship to help cover the annual administrative fee. We do not want financial challenges to prevent anyone from participating.
Ösel Nyingtig FAQs
No, the upcoming Dakini Ngondro retreat is open to anyone who would like to attend. If you are interested you can register here.
This ngöndro could really be a lifelong practice. This practice is estimated to take from 1 to 1.5 hrs per day.
For those in the program, after completing a full year of samaya, those continuing with the Yeshe Tsogyal cycle will receive the Yeshe Tsogyal sadhana to practice for a year. It is recommended and highly encouraged, however, to continue to do the Ngöndro (or at least read the text) before doing the sadhana.
In this practice, one’s progress is not evaluated on the basis of accumulating hundreds of thousands of recitations but rather on one’s meditative experiences and the time one invests.
Yes. Tulku Osel and Lama Tsultrim also teach in Europe (Germany, Italy and Poland). Also Anne Klein (Lama Rigdzin Drolma) and Harvey Aronson (Lama Namgyel) are teaching this in Texas through Dawn Mountain.
The teachings in this retreat are suitable for anyone who has had several years in Vajrayana practice. Some familiarity with teachings on Prajñaparamita, Chöd, and Green Tara is highly recommended. This practice, however, is open to anyone who has a heartfelt intuitive connection with the Ösel Nyingtig and is inspired to do this practice which offers a complete path to awakening.
We encourage any member of our Magyu program to first consult with their personal Kalyanamitra in order to determine readiness to undertake the practices that form part of the Ösel Nyingtig cycle. Being a student in two different cycles (i.e. Magyu and Ösel Nyingtig) simultaneously should not be taken lightly, but it is possible. After consultation and with the support of your Kalyanamitra, you will need to attend the Dakini Ngöndro retreat to receive the ngöndro teachings. You must submit a formal application, be interviewed, and accepted.
For current members who choose to remain in Magyu in addition to joining this new program, 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 Ösel Nyingtig program (this reflects a $200 discount for being part of both lineages).
After submission of your application we will notify you that your application has been received within 2 business days. Please contact us on this page for any questions pertaining to your application.
Yes, please see the recommended reading list on our website.
No, but there is also no ongoing support, access to additional content, or webcasts, etc.
There is the opportunity to apply for a scholarship (based on need) to cover part of the annual fee, but the monthly donation cannot be waived.
We highly recommend that anyone looking to gain a stronger foundation in Buddhism attend our foundational Heart of Buddhism program that is offered annually online.
What is a Terma?
Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, was a great yogi from the secret land of Oddiyana. This exalted 8th century master was vital in establishing Buddhism in Tibet. One of the unique methods he used during his time was the hiding of teachings called terma, or treasures, to be discovered in future times. They were concealed in a variety of ways by Padmasambhava and his Tibetan consort Yeshe Tsogyal.
There are many different types of terma but most terma can be condensed into three main categories: earth treasures (sater), pure vision treasures (dagnang), and mind treasures (gongter). Terma were also hidden in water, and stories of their revelation can be truly miraculous. For example, the treasure discoverer (terton) may plunge into a raging river, or walk into a lake bearing a lit butter lamp and emerge after some time with a terma in hand and the light still burning. An earth terma may be hidden in the earth and is a physical object such as a text or ritual instrument. A pure vision treasure can appear as words in space which are then written down. A mind treasure appears directly within the mind stream of the treasure discoverer. Often terma are revealed, and then kept secret for a certain period of time, as was the case with these sublime treasures of the Ösel Nyingtig.
What is a Tertön?
Tertön is the title given to those who reveal terma; in general, they are reincarnations of the twenty-five heart disciples of Padmasambhava. The prophesied tertöns appear during times of strife to offer practices appropriate for that time. The terma tradition ensures that the teachings remain fresh to aptly address the needs of each time period. For more information on terma and tertons see Hidden Teachings of Tibet by Tulku Thondup published by Wisdom Publications.
Who is Yeshe Tsogyal?
In the 8th century the Tibetan princess of Karchen, Yeshe Tsogyal, who is considered the mother of Tibetan Buddhism, was instrumental in transmitting the Dharma and concealing terma along with her extraordinary teacher and consort Padmasambhava. In the 11th century,
she would reincarnate as Machig Labdrön, the founder of the Chöd practice. There are several biographies of Yeshe Tsogyal published in English like Lady of the Lotus-Born by Galwa Changchub and Namkhai Nyingpo and The Life and Visions of Yeshe Tsogyal by Terton Drime Kunga.