We are delighted that Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche will teach two classes at the Summer Institute 2018!

The classes will be held during Module 1 (July 6-14) and Module 2 (July 16-24) and will be offered on alternating days.

Distinguishing the Views and Philosophies: A Lamp of Essential Points

This course is a systematic overview of Mipham´s teachings on the Middle Way by the influential scholar of the twentieth century Bötrül (1898-1959) of the Nyingma tradition. Bötrül’s root text, Distinguishing the Views and Philosophies, and his auto-commentary, Ornament of Mañjughoa´s Viewpoint, provide a meaning commentary on Mipham’s Beacon of Certainty.

Bötrül sets forth an understanding of “emptiness” and the Middle Way School that is unique to his Nyingma school, within a rich constellation of diverse perspectives, contrasting Nyingma views point by point with positions held by other Tibetan Buddhist schools.

Bötrül was an ordained monk and incarnate lama who taught at several monastic colleges in eastern and central Tibet. Many of his students were among the most influential leaders of the Nyingma school.

Anyone attending Shedra or Gomdra classes at the Summer Institute is welcome to come to this class.

Luminous Essence: The Tantra of the Secret Essence

The Tantra of the Secret Essence (Skt: Guhyagarbha Tantra; Tib: Gsang ba´i snying po) is the main tantra of the Mahāyoga class of tantras and is the main text on tantric view studied in the Nyingma tradition.

In this course, this tantra will be studied based on Mipham Rinpoche´s Luminous Essence (`Od gsal snying po), which is his celebrated commentary on Longchenpa´s commentary on the Guhyagarbha called Dispelling Darkness in the Ten Directions (Tib: phyogs bcu’i mun sel).

Mipham´s text presents the ground, path, and fruition of tantra, and the ten topics of the tantric path: view, conduct, maṇḍala, empowerment, samaya, activity, accomplishment, samādhi, offering pūja, and mantra with mudrā.

This course is only open to students with certain prerequisites; for details please check the Summer Institute website.

Join us for an amazing summer!