Consecration Ceremony at Drikung Namgyal Ling
2016-05-22 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States

Loving Kindness and Natural Meditation
2016-07-13 11:30 - 12:30 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
This event is free and is open to all. There will also be a sack lunch fellowship afterwards.

Buddhism 101 - A Deeper Understanding of the Fundamentals.
2016-07-23 10:00 - 17:00 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
Khenpo Yeshi
Teacher: Khenpo Yeshi Rinpoche
Suggested Donation: $85 for the weekend
Can you name the 4 thoughts that turn the mind, or describe the outer and inner preliminaries and their importance? Whether a new student or seasoned practitioner, clearly understanding the fundamentals of the path dispels confusion and serves as the basis for all stages of the path to enlightenment.
In the 11th century renowned scholar and practitioner, Atisha, produced The Lam Rim, or Stages of the Path, a summary of thousands of disparate sutras and commentaries into a single root text, A Lamp for the Path of Enlightenment. In the twelfth century, Gampopa integrated Atisha’s Lam Rim tradition with Tilopa’s Mahamudra teachings, thereby giving birth to the famous Buddhist treatise, The Jewel Ornament of Liberation, and the Kagyu school of Buddhism itself.
Our beloved spiritual friend, scholar, and teacher, Khenpo Yeshi, returns to Tucson July 23rd and 24th to take us back to the beginning again, Tibetan Buddhism 101 if you’d like. New students will find his immense wisdom and warmth a true lamp to light the path, and long term students will have a chance to brush up the basics and gain new insights on old knowledge. A highly trained and accomplished professor of Buddhism (Khenpo), and as current doctoral student at UC Berkeley, Khenpo Yeshi teaches in English and embraces western-style classroom principles. Join us for our version of summer school, where not only will we study the book, The Jewel Ornament of Realization, and engage in lively discussions, but there will also be handouts and take-ways for all attendees.
If you have been looking for a way to get into Buddhism, and start at the beginning, this precious opportunity cannot be missed. Seasoned practitioners have the chance to test and reinforce the “study” aspect of the Buddha’s 3-fold instruction to study, to practice and to contemplate. This year, Khenpo’s 12th year visiting Drikung Namgyal Ling, we will celebrate the dharma by distributing copies of all 12 years of his ultra-concise and one-of-a-kind support materials, including:
single page outline of the entire path
charts of the ten Bhumis
famous dharma quotations
extensive bibliographies
The root text, The Jewel Ornament of Realization, will be available in the bookstore, as well as many other texts that will be cited during the teaching. Pre-reading recommended!

Preliminary Practices - Refuge Practice and It's Benefits
2016-07-30 10:00 - 17:00 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
With Drupon Thinley Ningpo
Lord Jigten Summon, the father of our lineage, said: “ The Ngondro is even more important than the higher practices.One must truly understand and practice the simple yet profound foundational teachings before one begins the higher teachings.”
One practices the four extraordinary foundations, or the Vajrayana Ngondro, to purify the negative karma and obscurations of the mind, speech and body and to develop virtues.
Taking refuge, the foundation stone of all paths
The inner preliminaries starts with taking refuge, learning to rely on the Buddha, the Dharma(his teachings) , and the Sangha. Taking refuge is the basis of the other preliminaries and of all Buddhist practices.
This will be a teaching and practice weekend. Please bring your questions as this weekend will be helpful for beginners and experienced practitioners.
Suggested Donation: $85 for the weekend,

Preliminary Practices - Vajrasattva and Purification
2016-08-06 10:00 - 17:00 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
Drupon Thinely Ningpo
Teachings with Drupon Thinley Ningpo
Meditating and reciting on the teacher as Vajrasattva to cleanse all obscurations
The main obstacles that prevent all the extraordinary experiences and realizations of the profound path from arising are negative actions, obscurations and habitual tendencies. Just as it is important to clean the surface of a mirror if forms are to be reflected in it, so too it is important to eliminate our obscurations so the realization can appear like a reflection in the mirror of the Ground of All.
The Buddha taught countless methods of purification for this purpose, but the best of them is meditation and recitation related to the teacher as Vajrasattva.
Drupon will give us teachings and instructions for practice, lung transmission ( permission to practice for practitioners who did not have the empowerment) and will lead us into the practice itself , getting us ready to practice Ngondro on our own or together in our new center.
We are planing to add to our Sunday meditation schedule, one day a month as Ngondro day, where we can practice together the 4 accumulations for the benefit of our Dharma practitioners and all sentient beings.
Suggested Donation $85

Ngondro - Preliminary Practices
2016-08-21 10:00 - 15:00 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
Lord Jigten Sumgon, Rigdzin Chodrak (1st Chungtsang Rinpoche), and Konchok Ratna (1st Chetsang Rinpoche)
In samsara, there are three types of suffering – suffering in the making, the suffering of change, and the suffering of suffering. Ones should meditate with fierce renunciation in the knowledge that the intrinsic nature of these three is like a building blazing with fire. Having established the difficulty of obtaining the freedoms and advantages, ones should train in the ordinary preliminaries, and then undertake them.
The founder to the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, Lord Jigten Sumgon stated, “Ngondro is even more important than the higher practices.” It has also been said that sincerely practicing only Ngondro will lead to enlightenment since all mind training techniques leading to enlightenment are included within it!
The five Drikung Kagyu Ngondro preliminary practices are:
1. The Practice of Taking Refuge (prostrations with recitations),
2. Practice of Vajrasattva Meditation and Recitation for Purification,
3. Offering the Noble Mandala the Special Method for Perfecting the Two Accumulations,
4. The Guru Yoga that Brings the Blessings of the Lineage
5. Bodhicitta – the practice of truly wishing for eveyones’ enlightenment, no one left behind.
This Ngondro group will meet every third Sunday of each month. We will offer two sessions, first session 10 am to Noon, second session 1 pm to 3 pm. Each session we will practice Refuge and Vajrasattva. All are welcome to attend one or both sessions.
Bring your own sack lunch

Pure View and the Nature of Reality
2016-11-05 10:00 - 2016-11-06 17:00 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
Pure View is one of the most basic, and yet easily misunderstood concepts in Buddhism. But appreciating it’s true meaning is fundamental to entering the path to enlightenment.
The Buddha taught that the impure view can be experienced as a pure view, that is, confusion can be experienced as pristine wisdom-awareness, where wisdom-awareness is the ascertainment and understanding of the true nature of things.
Drupon Thinley Ningpo will teach us on these and other important concepts to help us gain a greater understanding and experience.

Nov. 5 and 6: 10am – Noon, 2pm to 5pm – Both days
Teaching Fee: $90 for the entire Weekend for non-members. $65 for Sustaining Members or above.
If you would like to attend and this amount is an obstacle, please contact us. Work study is always available, as well as other options.
Pati Stein 520-465-1882
Membership – In October 2015 we moved into our lovely Sahuarita location. The idea of establishment of property was the wisdom of Drupon Thinley Ningpo, Khenpo Ozer, and Garchen Rinpoche. Our ability to sustain this ourselves is directly dependent on the community of practitioners and attendees. Membership and volunteerism will be essential for us to sustain the DNL Center into the future.
Please consider joining our membership today (click on Membership below):
Membership

Chenrezig Empowerment with Drupon Thinley Ningpo
2016-11-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
Drupon Thinley Ningpo will bestow Thousand-Armed Chenrezig Empowerment on Thursday evening, 7pm to 9 pm.
Cost: Free to members, $40 non-members.
Please call Miheala Marin with any questions: 520-400-6541

4-Day Mani Drupchen Practice with Drupon Thinley Ningpo
2016-11-11 08:00 - 2016-11-13 16:00 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
Annual Mani Drupchen, November 11 through 13
Chenrezig is renowned as the embodiment of the compassion of all the Buddhas, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Whenever we are compassionate, or feel love for anyone, or for an animal or some part of the natural world, we experience a taste of our own natural connection with Chenrezig.
Drupchen means vast accomplishment and is a form of intensive group practice. This practice will continue night and day through these three days. Participants will be welcome to practice though the entire 4 days or drop in for sessions. Practitioners of all levels are welcome. Preregistration will be required for overnight stays. Meals will be available for a small donation, or you are welcome to bring your own food.
Empowerment will be help Thursday evening. Empowerment is not required to participate. Session hours will be as follows:
8 to 12,
12 to 4,
4 to 8,
both am and pm.
We also welcome volunteers and helpers for such events. Please let us know if you are interested in helping us organize this Chenrezig Drupchen event. Helping with meals, kitchen and bathroom clean up, signing up for night sessions are amongst some of the items that would be very helpful. Lodging is availabe for those who wish to attend session into the evening.
Drupchen Fee: $150 for entire event including sleeping arrangement, Foundational Members come free, $20/session for non-members, $10/session for Supporting Members or above.
If you would like to attend and the cost is an obstacle please contact us. Work study and other options do exist.
Please contact Miheala 520-400-6541
Membership – In October 2015 we moved into our lovely Sahuarita location. The idea of establishment of property was the wisdom of Drupon Thinley Ningpo, Khenpo Ozer, and Garchen Rinpoche. Our ability to sustain this ourselves is directly dependent on the community of practitioners and attendees. Membership and volunteerism will be essential for us to sustain the DNL Center into the future.
Please consider joining our membership today (click on Membership below):
Membership

2016-11-19 10:00 - 17:00 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
Renunciation
Saturday, Nov 19, 10am-5pm
Most broadly, renunciation can be understood as a letting go of whatever binds us to ignorance and suffering. The Buddha taught that genuine renunciation requires thoroughly perceiving how we make ourselves unhappy by grasping and greediness. When we can let go of such things it is liberating. The Buddha said, “If, by forsaking a limited ease, he would see an abundance of ease, the enlightened man would forsake the limited ease for the sake of the abundant.” (Dhammapada, verse 290).
Drupon Thinley Ningpo will provide teachings and advice on attaining renunciation, or liberation from ignorance and confusion. We hope you can join us for this one day event.
Teaching Fee: $50 for this one day teaching, $25 for Sustaining Members and above. Foundational Members may attend for free.

Renunciation
2016-11-19 10:00 - 17:00 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
Most broadly, renunciation can be understood as a letting go of whatever binds us to ignorance and su ering. The Buddha taught that genuine renunciation requires thoroughly perceiving how we make ourselves unhappy by grasping and greediness. When we can let go of such things it is liberating. The Buddha said, “If, by forsaking a limited ease, he would see an abundance of ease, the enlightened man would forsake the limited ease for the sake of the abundant.” (Dhammapada, verse 290).
Drupon Thinley Ningpo will provide teachings and advice on attaining renunciation, or liberation from ignorance and su ering. We hope you can join us for this one day event.
Teaching Fee: $50 for this one day teaching, $25 for Sustaining Members and above. Foundational Members may attend for free.

Sunday Mornings at the Center
2016-11-20 09:30 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
Drupon Thinely Ningpo
For this special Sunday, Drupon Thinley Ningpo will join us for Ngondro session for the AM and afternoon session. Our schedule will be as follows:
-Refuge in English 10 am – recitations and prostrations
-Vajrasattva in English 11am – recitation, meditation, and purification
– Lunch Break – 12 to 1pm please bring your own sack lunch
-Refuge in Tibetan chant 1pm
-Vajrasattva in TibetanChant 2pm
For those of us who are completing Ngondro, have a love for these practices, or have questions or curiousity about these preliminaries, this Sunday is a special opportunity to do the practice along side this excellent retreat master and to ask questions.
In samsara, there are three types of suffering – suffering in the making, the suffering of change, and the suffering of suffering. Ones should meditate with fierce renunciation in the knowledge that the intrinsic nature of these three is like a building blazing with fire. Having established the difficulty of obtaining the freedoms and advantages, ones should train in the ordinary preliminaries, and then undertake them.
The founder to the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, Lord Jigten Sumgon stated, “Ngondro is even more important than the higher practices.” It has also been said that sincerely practicing only Ngondro will lead to enlightenment since all mind training techniques leading to enlightenment are included within it!
If you have always wanted to complete the preliminaries, but needed the support of a group, or are new and want to deepen your understanding and commitment this Sunday practice is for you.
Beginners are very welcome at this practice.

Sunday Mornings at the Center
2017-01-01 10:00 - 11:30 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
Please join us for a very special New Years Practice:
Achi Practice followed by the prayer of Kuntuzangpo.
Achi Chokyi Drolma is the great Dharma protector of the Buddha’s teachings 3Ú4 and the emanation of Vajrayogini 3Ú4 the embodiment of the wisdom and activities of all the Buddhas. Achi is revered throughout Tibet and her sadhana is practiced by all lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. She was the grandmother of Jitgen Sumgon, the founder of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage. Whosoever will practice the sadhana of Achi Chokyi Drolma with full devotion and certainty, will be freed from all kinds of unfavorable circumstances and obstacles in this life, as well as obstacles connected with Dharma practice, and will finally achieve perfect enlightenment.
The Prayer of Kungtuzangpo (Tibetan), also known as the Primorial Buddha Samantabhadra (Sanskrit) instructs the sincere student about the View, Meditation an Action of the Nature of Mind and how we stray from this Unchanging Goodness in our day to day lives.
10 am – 11:30

Beginners are very welcome at this practice.
* After the practice we will have an optional pot luck lunch for those who wish to enjoy the good company and quietude of the Sahuarita location. *

Sunday Mornings at the Center
2017-01-08 09:30, 2017-01-15 10:00 - 12:00, 2017-04-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
By popular request we will practice Ngondro every Sunday. Our schedule will be as follows:
-Refuge 10 am – recitations and prostrations
-Vajrasattva 11am – recitation, meditation, and purification
In samsara, there are three types of suffering – suffering in the making, the suffering of change, and the suffering of suffering. Ones should meditate with fierce renunciation in the knowledge that the intrinsic nature of these three is like a building blazing with fire. Having established the difficulty of obtaining the freedoms and advantages, ones should train in the ordinary preliminaries, and then undertake them.
The founder to the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, Lord Jigten Sumgon stated, “Ngondro is even more important than the higher practices.” It has also been said that sincerely practicing only Ngondro will lead to enlightenment since all mind training techniques leading to enlightenment are included within it!
If you have always wanted to complete the preliminaries, but needed the support of a group, or are new and want to deepen your understanding and commitment this Sunday practice is for you.
Beginners are very welcome at this practice.
* After the practice we will have an optional pot luck lunch for those who wish to enjoy the good company and quietude of the Sahuarita location. *

Mahamudra Practice Instruction and Open Retreat
2017-01-21 10:00 - 2017-01-28 17:00 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
Mahamudra Practice Instruction and Open Retreat

With Drupon Rinchen Dorje Rinpoche
Saturday-Saturday, January 21-28, 2017

We are pleased to announce a very special teaching and practice retreat with Drupon Rinchen Dorje Rinpoche in the beauty and tranquility of the desert southwest. This open retreat will take place in late January during Tucson’s mild and very pleasant winter months.
Rinpoche will be teaching from the extensive Mahamudra chapter
included in the famous Words of Vajradhara Dharmakirti: A Record
of Instructions on Five-Fold Mahamudra by the 17th century
meditation master, Lho Trinley Namgyal. These instructions have
been the main Mahamudra instructions received and practiced in
Drikung Kagyü three-year retreats for centuries. We are extremely
fortunate to be able to receive these from a retreat master who has received and realized such traditional training.
Some of the main topics included in these extremely profound mahamudra instructions are: Calm Abiding, Special Insight, Becoming Certain about the Various Appearances of the Mind, Cutting Through Misconcep- tions About the Energy of the Ground, Introduction to the Nature of the Mind, Introduction to the Co-emergence of Thoughts, Introduction to the Coemergence of Appearances, Introduction to the Co-emergent Nature of Mind, Explanation of the Faults of Meditation, Recognizing the Fresh Ordinary Mind, Way to Take Things on to the Path, Four Yogas of Mahamudra, and Enhancing Realization.
Teaching Location (see directions to the center, below): Drikung Namgyal Ling Center
1135 West Twin Buttes Road
Sahuarita, AZ 85629
Retreat Fee – Retreat-ants in Residence (Includes lodging and meals.):
– $350 non-members for entire 8 day retreat – includes lodging and food
– $250 for full 8 day retreat (Supporting Members & above), Foundational Members are Free
Per Session Fee:
– $35/session for non-members
– $25/session for Supporting Members or above – Foundational Members are free

Retreat Schedule (January 21 to 28):
– AM/PM Sessions (10am-12pm, 2pm-5pm): Teaching and Practice Instruction – Evening Session (7pm-9pm): Practice and Q & A on the Day’s Teaching
Lodging and Meals at the Center:
The center has dorm-style (room sharing) accommodations for 10 retreat-ants. Attendees may also car camp or erect a tent on the property grounds. Individuals attending the full retreat will be given priority in booking both dorm and camping space.
Accommodation costs are included in the full retreat fees. For those attending only a portion of the retreat, the cost accommodation is $20/night indoor and $10/night for camping.
Indoor accommodation must be reserved prior to the retreat, and is otherwise available only as space permits. Please contact us to ensure your accommodation needs are met.
Three (3) vegetarian meals/day will be prepared daily by center members, with the requested assistance of retreat-ants as needed in meal prep and clean-up. Attendees with special dietary needs or desires may bring their own food. All meal costs are included in full retreat fees. Individual meals are available for $5 donation/meal.
For More Information on this Event:
Brennan Washburn 520-977-2136, brennan@drikungtucson.org
Pati Stein, 520-465-1882, pati.c.stein@gmail.com

Achi Chokyi Drolma Empowerment and Practice Instruction
2017-03-18 10:00 - 17:00 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
Empowerment: Saturday, March 18, 10am
Teaching: Saturday & Sunday, March 18/19, 10am-12pm & 2pm-5pm
Drupon Thinley Ningpo will grant the Achi Chokyi Drolma empowerment and then guide us to a greater understanding of Achi deity practice. Achi, chief protectress of the Drikung Kagyu and an emanation of Vajrayogini, is also the great grandmother of Lord Jigten Sumgon, founder of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage. As such she “liberates the thoughts of beings to suit the dharma.”
Born in 11th century Tibet, from an early age Achi displayed auspicious powers such as teaching mantra to others by the age of three. In essence her manifestation in the human realm embodies the wisdom and compassion of all the Buddhas, the great mother of the Buddhas (http://www.rigdzindharma.org/achi-chokyi-drolma.html). “According to a prophecy in the Cakrasaṃvara Tantra, it is said, “The head of the Karma Dakinis will come to the area of Tidro cave in Drikung. This will be a nirmanakaya manifestation of Vajrayogini” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achi_Chokyi_Drolma).
Achi practice is a particular favorite for our sangha. Please join us in paying homage to her for the benefit of all beings, the Drikung Kagyu lineage and for the benefit of our fledgling dharma center.
This particular practice was written by Lord Jigten Sumgon, and translated into English by Khenchen Gyaltsen Rinpoche. Drupon Thinley Ningpo will explain not only explain the text in particular and how to practice it, but will also offer commentary on the meaning of empowerment and of deity practice in general. Copies of the practice will be provided.
To pre-register for this event, please click here.
Teaching Fee: $75 for this weekend, $35 for Sustaining Members and above.
Foundational Members may attend for free.

Weekly Meditation Practice
2017-03-22 19:00 - 20:30 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
Tara Embodies the female wisdom activity of the mind. She is often called the mother of all the Buddhas. White Tara offers peace, prosperity, health and long life through her enlightened activities. In reciting her mantra and making a connection to her, we draw closer to developing her enlightened qualities in ourselves.
This event is free and beginners are welcome.
1135 West Twin Buttes Road
Sahuarita, AZ 85629
(Click here for a map)

For More Information:
Pati Stein: 465-1882

Mandala Offering Practice
2017-03-25 10:00 - 17:00 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
As Vajrayana Buddhists we diligently practice the 2-fold accumulation of merit and wisdom. To accumulate wisdom we engage in meditation to deepen our understanding of emptiness and the innate purity of all phenomena. To accumulate merit we engage the other 5 perfections, starting with the perfection of generosity. Mandala practice combines meditation, mantra, and purification into a single very powerful act of generosity, and serves as a method to accumulate merit quickly.
With each mandala offering we offer the entire universe, our world and the inconceivably vast universe, in brief, the entirety of the glorious dharmasphere, to all beings and to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. In doing so we overcome our basic tendency toward self grasping and greed by purifying it with loving kindness and compassion. In the context of Ngondro, or preliminary practice, offering 111,111 mandalas is recommended. So just as we repeatedly polish our offering rings, we correspondingly polish the mirror of mind.
Our beloved Drupon Thinley Ningpo will show us how to practice the mandala offering as taught in the Drikung Kagyu tradition. He will explain not only how to perform the mandala offering — the ritual materials and 37 point step-by-step process — but will also explain its inner significance, how it builds merit, purifies negative karma, and ultimately blossoms as the most valuable benefit of all, Buddhahood.
Mandala practice texts will be available to use during the teaching weekend, and will be available for purchase in the dharma store. If you own a mandala offering set, please bring it with you. If you do not own a mandala set, we will provide as many simulated sets as needed, and vats of rice to fill the mandala, so that everyone can participate and learn the practice hands-on.
To pre-register for this event, please click here.
Teaching Fee: $75 for this weekend, $35 for Sustaining Members and above.
Foundational Members may attend for free.

Sand Mandala Final Dissolution
2017-04-08 11:00 - 13:00 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
Join Drupon Thinley Ningpo as he ventures to Madera Canyon to offer the final vase of sand from sand mandala dissolution on April 6th. We will first meet at the Drikung Namgyal Ling dharma center, then together travel to the nearby Santa Rita mountains.

Mahamudra Meditation
2017-04-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
Practice Mahamudra meditation with Drupon Thinley Ningpo, who will also offer insight and instructions. We are extremely fortunate to be able to receive these from a retreat master who has received and realized the traditional training. After the meditation we will have a potluck lunch.

The Precious Treasury of the Basic Space of Phenomena
2017-05-26 14:00 - 17:00 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
Khenpo Yeshi returns to Tucson for the 12th year straight, and this time he will lead us on a journey into Longchen Rabjam’s famous treatise, The Chö Ying Dzöd, The Precious Treasury of the Basic Space of Phenomena and its accompanying commentary. By elucidating this text, Khenpo Yeshi will simultaneously introduce us to the work’s essential instruction on the profound Dzogchen practice of Trekchö or “cutting through.”
What do we cut through? Conceptual delusion. In the context of Dzogchen, we cut through the flimsy fantasy world of self-grasping and we do so swiftly, emboldened by the simple recognition of the innate incorruptibility of our own primordial awareness or Buddha Nature.
As dharma students in 2017 we can celebrate the auspicious good fortune of not only this masterpiece having been translated into English, but also the special insight of Khenpo Yeshi. A scholar in both Tibetan and English languages, Khenpo Yeshi has received extensive trainings, both academic and spiritual, too numerous to list here, and completed three-year meditative retreat under the guidance of the renowned Dzogchen master, H.E. Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. He currently lives in California and attends Berkeley as a PhD student.
Since, during the course of one weekend, we will we only have enough time to cover the first few chapters, this teaching will become the first of a multi-year series. Please join us as we begin this cycle of Dzogchen teachings with Khenpo Yeshi at Drikung Namgyal Ling.
Texts will be available in our dharma store.
————————-
Teaching Location (see directions to the center, below):
Drikung Namgyal Ling Center
1135 West Twin Buttes Road
Sahuarita, AZ 85629
Teachings Fee – 3 days teachings
– $85 non-members
– $60 Supporting Members & above
– Foundational Members are Free
Per Session Fee:
– $20/session , $40/day for non-members
– $15/session , $30/day for Supporting Members or above
– Foundational Members are free
– Work Study Positions are available but require prior arrangements. Please contact us 2 weeks in advance
Schedule (May 26 to 28):
-May 26: 2pm-5pm
-May 27-28 : 10-12 am and 2-5 pm

The Precious Treasury of the Basic Space of Phenomena
2017-05-27 10:00 - 2017-05-28 17:00 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
Khenpo Yeshi returns to Tucson for the 12th year straight, and this time he will lead us on a journey into Longchen Rabjam’s famous treatise, The Chö Ying Dzöd, The Precious Treasury of the Basic Space of Phenomena and its accompanying commentary. By elucidating this text, Khenpo Yeshi will simultaneously introduce us to the work’s essential instruction on the profound Dzogchen practice of Trekchö or “cutting through.”
What do we cut through? Conceptual delusion. In the context of Dzogchen, we cut through the flimsy fantasy world of self-grasping and we do so swiftly, emboldened by the simple recognition of the innate incorruptibility of our own primordial awareness or Buddha Nature.
As dharma students in 2017 we can celebrate the auspicious good fortune of not only this masterpiece having been translated into English, but also the special insight of Khenpo Yeshi. A scholar in both Tibetan and English languages, Khenpo Yeshi has received extensive trainings, both academic and spiritual, too numerous to list here, and completed three-year meditative retreat under the guidance of the renowned Dzogchen master, H.E. Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. He currently lives in California and attends Berkeley as a PhD student.
Since, during the course of one weekend, we will we only have enough time to cover the first few chapters, this teaching will become the first of a multi-year series. Please join us as we begin this cycle of Dzogchen teachings with Khenpo Yeshi at Drikung Namgyal Ling.
Texts will be available in our dharma store.

Schedule (May 26 to 28):
-May 26: 2pm-5pm
-May 27-28 : 10-12 am and 2-5 pm
Teaching Location (see directions to the center, below):
Drikung Namgyal Ling Center
1135 West Twin Buttes Road
Sahuarita, AZ 85629
Teachings Fee – 3 days teachings
– $85 non-members
– $60 Supporting Members & above
– Foundational Members are Free
Per Session Fee:
– $20/session , $40/day for non-members
– $15/session , $30/day for Supporting Members or above
– Foundational Members are free
– Work Study Positions are available but require prior arrangements. Please contact us 2 weeks in advance
Schedule (May 26 to 28):
-May 26: 2pm-5pm
-May 27-28 : 10-12 am and 2-5 pm

Prayer of Kuntuzangpo Teaching
2017-06-24 10:00 - 17:00 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
Where can we find the unobstructed enlightened mind? “This self-arising great expanse, beyond expression, has neither the name samsara nor nirvana. Realizing this you are a Buddha. Not realizing this, you are a being wandering in samsara.”

The Prayer of Kuntuzangpo (Tibetan), also known as the Primordial Buddha Samantabadra (Sanskrit) instructs the sincere student on the view, meditation and conduct of the nature of mind and how we stray from this Unchanging Goodness in our day to day lives.

This ancient and pithy prayer from the Dzogchen Ati Yoga Tantras was hidden by Guru Rinpoche and discovered in 1366 by the Great Awareness-Holder and tertön, Rigdzin Godem, in a cave of Zangzang Lhadrak in Tibet. It is from the 9th chapter of the Gonpa Zangthal or Northern Treasures.

Khenpo Konchok Molam, a highly educated Lama in the Drikung Kagyu lineage, will help us to unravel its profound wisdom. Currently a resident lama at the White Lotus Buddhist Center, he has taught extensively at the Kagyu College in Dehra Dun, India, and received extensive instruction under the guidance of his root guru, Khenchen Thupten Ozer.

Hevajra and Six Yogas of Naropa Teaching
2017-07-01 10:00 - 17:00 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
His Holiness, The Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang Rinpoche, has made it a priority to revitalize the tradition and practice of Hevajra in the Drikung Centers around the world. In May of 2016, he did exactly that in Tucson, Arizona, when he blessed us with an Hevajra empowerment and teaching.

Once the main deity practice of none other than the renowned master, Marpa Lotsawa and his consort, Nairatmya, transmission of this lineage practice had ceased for several hundred years until H.H. Chetsang Rinpoche restored the tradition. To deepen our understanding of this rare and precious tantra, which includes instructions on the Six Yogas of Naropa, Drupon Thinley Ningpo returns to Drikung Namgyal Ling. We will study both the root verses and detailed explication contained in the text, Coermergent Hevajra and Six Dharma of Naropa, by Rigdzin Chokyi Dragpa.

Copies of the text, a spiral-bound edition specially printed to celebrate His Holiness’s visit to Tucson, will be available for $25.

Nyungne Retreat with Drupon Rinchen Dorjee
2017-09-16 - 2017-09-18 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
Schedule (Sept 15, 6pm to Sept 18, 7:30 am):

Friday Sept 15 6-9pm – Empowerment and instructions on the practice
Saturday/Sunday – three sessions per day
Monday – early morning session to end at 7:30am (we can then share a nice breakfast)

Location (see directions to the center, below):
Drikung Namgyal Ling Center
1135 West Twin Buttes Road
Sahuarita, AZ 85629
Retreat Fee – 3 day retreat
$108 non-members
$75 Supporting Members & above
Foundational Members are Free
⊕ Work Study Positions are available but require prior arrangements. Please contact us in advance
PLEASE READ

Attendees must participate in the whole retreat – from Friday evening to Monday morning.
Space is limited – please reserve your space early
Attendees will be fasting and silent from Saturday afternoon to Monday morning – no eating, drinking, speaking for this time period.

Register for Nyungne Retreat
Description:
The Nyungne practice of the eleven-faced, thousand-armed form of Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara), the Buddha of compassion, is for purifying negative karma and accumulating merit and wisdom in a short but intensive retreat setting. This intensive practice requires maintaining the eight Mahayana precepts on the first day and on the second day adding vows of fasting and silence (fasting begins after the noon meal on the first day and continues until breakfast on the third day). Meditation sessions include prayers, offerings, prostrations, and extensive mantra recitation, cultivating all three vehicles of Buddhism. Practicing Nyungne with great devotion increases peace in oneself and the world, brings happiness and good fortune, and leads to rebirth in Buddha Amitabha’s Pureland of Dewachen.
It is said in the text called the Collection of the Intentions of All Tantras that if practitioners of the Mahayana do a nyungne even once, they will purify all the wrongdoing accumulated throughout forty thousand eons and achieve rebirth as either a human or deva. If done eight times consecutively, the state of a stream enterer is attained and rebirth in Dewachen is guaranteed. If performed twenty-five times, the state equal to a once-returner is attained and all wrongdoing of the previous eighty thousand eons is purified. Performed fifty times the state equivalent to a non-returner is achieved and all wrongdoing for the prior eight hundred million eons is purified. If the nyungne is performed 108 consecutive times, arhatship is attained and all the wrongdoing and obscurations of the past one billion eons is purified and birth in Dewachen in the direct presence of Buddha Amitabha is assured.
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Lodging and Meals at the Center:
The center has dorm-style (room sharing) accommodations. Attendees may also car camp or pitch a tent on the property grounds.
The cost of accommodation is included in the retreat fee.
Indoor accommodation must be reserved prior to the retreat, and is otherwise available only as space permits. Please contact us to ensure your accommodation needs are met.
The following 3 meals are provided: Saturday breakfast and lunch, and Monday breakfast. Meals provided will be simple and vegetarian. If you have special food needs or preferences you are welcome to bring a meal or use center’s facilities.
After Saturday lunch time attendees will take a vow of silence, and of fasting. Attendees will not eat, drink, or talk from Saturday at 2pm to Monday morning at 7:30am as part of the practice.
What to pack and bring:
Suggested Personal Items to Bring:

Sleeping bag or bedding
Pillow, blankets
Alarm Clock
Ear plugs
Towel, Toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, etc)
Practice items – cushion, mala, dorje/bell
Comfortable clothing
Medication, vitamins, supplements
No perfume or heavily scented products, please

For registration or question:
Pati Stein – 520-465-1882

Weekly Meditation Practice
2017-10-18 19:00 - 20:00 | Brennan Washburn Residence, 4201 E. Oxdord Dr, Tucson, 85711, United States
Tara Embodies the female wisdom activity of the mind. She is often called the mother of all the Buddhas. White Tara offers peace, prosperity, health and long life through her enlightened activities. In reciting her mantra and making a connection to her, we draw closer to developing her enlightened qualities in ourselves.
This event is free and beginners are welcome.
4201 E. Oxford Dr
Tucson, Arizona 85711
(Click here for a map)

For More Information:
Pati Stein: 465-1882

Buddhism 101: A Deeper Understanding of Fundamentals w/ Venerable Drupon Thinley Ningpo
2017-12-02 10:00 - 17:00 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
Can you name the 4 thoughts that turn the mind, or describe the outer and inner preliminaries and their importance? Whether a new student or seasoned practitioner, clearly understanding the fundamentals of the path dispels confusion and serves as the basis for all stages of the path to enlightenment.
By drawing on classic texts such as The Jewel Ornament of Liberation, Words of my Perfect Teacher, and 37 Bodhisattva Practices, Drupon Thinley Ningpo will oer his own heart instruction on the basics of Buddhism, how to gain a firm understanding of the path to enlightenment and where to begin the journey. Introduction to the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, the outer objects of refuge, will be accompanied by the refuge ceremony itself in which all students are welcome to take the important 1st step toward transforming the mind of afflictive emotions and self-grasping into a mind of loving kindness and utter lucidity.
New students will nd his immense wisdom and warmth a true lamp to light the path, and long term students will have a chance to brush up the basics and gain new insights on old knowledge. If you have been looking for a way to get into Buddhism, and start at the beginning, this precious opportunity cannot be missed.
Students be able to take home printed hand-outs and other training materials, and the root texts mentioned above, such as The Jewel Ornament of Liberation, will be available in the bookstore.
Drupon Thinley Ningpo
Venerable Drupon Thinley Ningpo has accomplished both the practice Five-fold Mahamudra and the profound
path of the Six Yogas of Naropa. He has also received the entire body of Drikung Kagyu empowerments, transmissions,
and instructions for advanced practice. In this way he completed the process of advanced training in
all the profound and sacred traditions of Drikung Kagyu Buddhism and earned the title of Drupon “master of
spiritual attainment.”
Drupon now travels extensively with the blessing of H.H. Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, teaching the precious
Dharma and leading Dharma students in retreat, and has established dharma centers in Wesley Chapel, Florida
and Tucson, Arizona. For more information: drikungtucson.org/our-teachers/drupon-thinley-ningpo-rinpoche/
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3-Day Chenrezig Drupchen
2017-12-08 - 2017-12-10 | Drikung Namgyal Ling Center, 1135 West Twin Buttes Road, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
Drupon Thinley Ningpo will return December 8th-10th for our semi-annual Drupchen. This is a 24 hour practice over three days. The Drupchen will begin on Friday at 6pm, followed by 4-hour practice sessions ending on Sunday at 5pm. Chenrezig is renowned as the embodiment of the compassion of all the Buddhas, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Whenever we are compassionate, or feel love for anyone, or for an animal or some part of the natural world, we experience a taste of our own natural connection with Chenrezig.
Although we may not be as consistently compassionate as some of the great meditation masters, Tibetan Buddhists believe that we all share, in our basic nature, unconditional compassion and wisdom that is no dierent from what we see in Chenrezig.
Drupchen means vast accomplishment and is a form of intensive group practice. The practice continues uninterrupted, day and night, through three days. Our Drupchen will have 6 daily practice sessions beginning promptlya at 8am – 8pm, with 3.5 hour night sessions from 8pm-11:30pm, 11:30pm-3am, 3am-6:30am
Participants are welcome to practice through the entire weekend or drop in for individual sessions. Those practitioners wishing to stay overnight may use the back yard for tenting. Space can be limited, so if you wish to attend the entire weekend or participate in meals, please contact us soon at brennan@drikungtucson.org.
Drupchen Location:
Drikung Namgyal Ling Center
1135 West Twin Butte Sahuarita, AZ 85629
Schedule:
Friday, December 8th, 6pm to Sunday, December 10th, 5pm
Sessions 8am – 8pm, with 3.5 hour night sessions from 8pm-11:30pm, 11:30pm-3am, 3am-6:30am

Per Session Fee:
– $20/session, $40/day for Non-members
– $15/session, $30/day for Supporting Members or above
– Foundational Members are free
Retreat Fee (2 Days):
(includes housing & meals)
– $85 Non-members
– $60 Supporting Members & above
– Foundational Members are free
– Foundational Members are free
– Work Study Positions are available but require prior arrangements.
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