About this Jonang Kalachakra Ngondro Program

This program is designed for those who want structure and support to complete the Ngondro.

The program is open to all. There are no formal prerequisites for Modules 1-7. Although we encourage step-by-step participation, you are allowed to directly register for any module (except modules 8 and 9). Generally speaking, the Kalachakra Ngondro Program is for you if you wish for long-term and regular support in your dharma practice, regardless if you are starting now or if you have been practicing previously. More specifically, modules 1-7 are shaped to help you prepare for receiving the 1st set of Kalachakra Empowerments (“Seven Empowerments of a Growing Child”), also known as the Kalachakra Initiation, and for receiving in the future the “Kalachakra Four Higher Empowerments” if you so aspire. That being said, you are more than welcome to just drop in to make a first connection and see how the practice reverberates with you—in this case, the modules 1-4 may be more suitable.

Benefits of this 2 Year Program

The Kalachakra Ngondro Program is a 2-year long program created for students who want to deepen themselves in the Kalachakra Path in a structured, step-by-step guided process. The Ngondro — also called the “Preliminary Practices” — prepares you to uncover your own Buddha nature. If you want to completely unveil this perfect nature, the Kalachakra Ngondro prepares you for the very subtle and profound yogic practices of the Completion Stage called the ‘Six Vajra Yogas’ of the Kalachakra Tantra. You can benefit by doing the Kalachakra Ngondro even if you do not aspire to engage in serious meditation practices of the Kalachakra Completion Stage in this lifetime. Shar Khentrul Rinpoché offers a flexible approach in order to embrace a variety of practitioners because being fixed on only one traditional way may not be a match for everyone. Developing familiarization with the Kalachakra Ngondro practices can be adjusted individually according to your own personal inclination.

About this Module (5)

Vajrasattva Purification

In this practice, we work with the enlightened deity Vajrasattva as a support for dissolving our gross self-grasping. Through various visualizations and the recitation of the long Vajrasattva Heruka mantra, we are reminded of the innate purity of our mind and that everything we identify with is merely an imputed reality with no inherent existence. In the Jonang Tradition, this section of the Ngondro focuses on the powerful form of Vajrasattva Heruka in union with the wisdom consort Vajratopa to clear away any negative deeds (and their propensities) from our minds. We will present the practice step by step explaining its meanings and its relevance for the Kālachakra Path. Two Kālachakra Sādhanas, “Divine Ladder” and “Enlightening the Heart” will be used.

Course curriculum

    1. Kalachakra Ngondro Program OVERVIEW

    2. Schedule and ZOOM LINKS

    3. DIVINE LADDER (excerpt) in various languages & additional MATERIALS

    4. ENLIGHTENING THE HEART Sādhana (excerpt) in various languages

    5. Divine Ladder Chanting in Tibetan by Rinpoché (longest version)

    6. Support for practice — IMAGES, SEED SYLLABLES, Vajrasattva ARTICLE, etc.

    7. PREVIOUS Modules 1 - 4

    8. Gratitude and Generosity

    1. Session 1: Intro, context, purpose, meaning of name, forms, mantras, 4 powers, sutric & tantric approach, short practice

    2. Session 1: Intro, context, purpose, meaning of name, forms, mantras, 4 powers, sutric & tantric approach, short practice

    3. Session 2: Short Recitation & COMMENTARY on the Vajrasattva Section of Sādhana + Q&A

    4. Session 2: Short Recitation & COMMENTARY on the Vajrasattva Section of Sādhana + Q&A

    5. Session 3: Extensive Recitation with focus on VAJRASATTVA (108x) + concluding advice

    6. Session 3: Extensive Recitation with focus on VAJRASATTVA (108x) + concluding advice

    7. Session 4: Explaining the Meaning of the Mantra + Conciser Sādhana Recitation with focus on VAJRASATTVA (108x)

    8. Session 4: Explaining the Meaning of the Mantra + Conciser Sādhana Recitation with focus on VAJRASATTVA (108x)

    9. Session 5: Enlightening the Heart: Practice+COMMENTARY on the Vajrasattva Section + further advice for daily practice

    10. Session 5: Enlightening the Heart: Practice+COMMENTARY on the Vajrasattva Section + further advice for daily practice

    11. Session 6: Divine Ladder Chanting with Focus on VAJRASATTVA + Three Alternative Visualisations; Q&A and Advice

    12. Session 6: Divine Ladder Chanting with Focus on VAJRASATTVA + Three Alternative Visualisations; Q&A and Advice

    13. Session 7: Enlightening the Heart Recitation with focus on VAJRASATTVA + Three further visualizations; Q&A and Advice

    14. Session 7: Enlightening the Heart Recitation with focus on VAJRASATTVA + Three further visualizations; Q&A and Advice

About this course

  • 22 lessons
  • 11.5 hours of video content

Program Fees

We offer flexible offering levels to accommodate students in different countries and economic situations worldwide. If you need further financial assistance to access a class, please email [email protected] No one is turned away for lack of funds.

Meet Our Program Instructor

Dzokden Kalapa

Rafa Lobsang Dorje (Rafael Nassif)

Dzokden Kalapa Program Co-ordinator

He started his contact with Buddhism in 2008, after practicing in other systems of spiritual practice in his homeland Brazil. In Europe, India and Tibet he had precious opportunities to receive teachings, transmissions and empowerments from masters from almost all schools of Tibetan Buddhism and from the Theravada Tradition as well, and took part in different group and solitary retreats. He was fortunate to met his precious Guru Jamphel Lodrö (Khentrul Rinpoche) in She Drup Ling-Austria in 2015, from whom he has been receiving a vast and profound wealth of Dharma, since the foundational subjects until the Kalachakra Vajra Yogas. Since 2016 he has been teaching Lu Jong (Tibetan Healing Yoga). In 2018 he received authorisation from Rinpoche to teach the Kalachakra-Ngöndro. Recently he reduced his professional activities as a composer in order to serve the altruistic ideals of his Guru as a full-time volunteer at our Dzokden community. He serves the community a.o. as a translator, editor and coordinator for the translations’ groups for both German and Portuguese languages.

View Additional Modules in this Series

Work through the full 2 year Ngondro Program

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