A Study & Practice Program for the Dedicated Practitioner in the Terma Cycle of Dzinpa Rangdröl ‘Self Liberation of Clinging’, a Dzogchen terma from Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje
Gateway Program
This eight-year program is for dedicated practitioners who cannot do long-term retreat, but who wish to live a life imbued with intense practice. The curriculum consists of all the practices done in the traditional Vajrayana three-year solitary retreat, but is adapted for the modern practitioner living in the world. This lineage has been established at Tara Mandala through the kind guidance and blessings of Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche, who received this cycle from his teacher, the great Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
This program focuses on the Dzinpa Rangdröl (Natural Liberation of Clinging) cycle of teachings that Machig Labdrön revealed to Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje (1800-1866). It is an extremely unique lineage as it combines the teachings of Machig Labdrön with the Dzogchen (Great Perfection) teachings. Among the many precious practices in this cycle, we find
- Three Chöd (Severance) practices, one of which will be taught during the first three years.
- Two deity yoga sadhanas, White Dakini and Tröma (two deities, or yidams, connected to Chöd),
- The Tibetan Yogas of Tsalung, Trulkhor, and Tummo.
- Trekchö (Break-through) and Tögal (Leap-over) teachings that are unique to Dzogchen.
This program offers a rare opportunity to receive this exceedingly pure esoteric lineage with consistent support and structure for the dedicated practitioner. This unique lineage is established at Tara Mandala through the kind guidance and blessings of Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche. The program is open to anyone interested who is accepted after their application and interview. We now have three different cohorts who have almost completed the full cycle of the 8 year program.
This program offers a rare opportunity to receive this exceedingly pure esoteric lineage with consistent support and structure for the dedicated practitioner. Never before has it been taught in the West. This lineage is being established at Tara Mandala through the kind guidance and blessings of Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche. The program is open to anyone interested who is accepted after their application and interview with Lama Tsultrim Allione. We now have three different cohorts progressing through the 10 year program, some just beginning the Dzinpa Rangdröl Ngöndro, others practicing Deity Yoga and others focusing on the Dzogchen preliminary practice of Rushen.
Photo credit: Clinton SpenceThe Gateway Program is divided into two parts:
The Foundation Program, the first part of the Gateway Program, spans the first three years and consists of the Preliminary Practices (Ngöndro) and Parchangma Chöd.
The Complete Transmission Program, the second part of the Gateway Program, spans five years and is for those who have completed the Foundation Program or have completed another Ngöndro plus ten percent of the Dzinpa Rangdröl Ngöndro. This program consists of the two yidam practices (White Dakini and Tröma Nagmo), Tsalung (Tibetan Yoga including Trulkhor and Tummo), Dzogchen preliminaries, and finally Dzogchen (Trekchö: Break-Through and Tögal: Leap-Over).
Gateway Update
Tara Mandala is pleased to announce that we will be offering a transmission of the Dzinpa Rangdröl Ngöndro as an online program with Lama Tsultrim Allione and Tsalung Lopön Beth Lee-Herbert in May of 2024. Follow this direct link to learn more about this foundational practice that serves as the entry point into this program and profound terma cycle.
Please note that we will soon be opening applications for serious practitioners inspired to join the next Gateway cohort. It is our aspiration to begin the next cohort in the program in early 2025. Please contact the Registrar here should you have any questions about this development.
Photo credit: Maria Heiss