Vajrayana Program: Ngöndro and Beyond

*Our new Vajrayana Program will begin in January 2024

Our Vajrayana Program is the 3rd program in Sukhasiddhi Foundation’s Depth Practice Program structure. The Vajrayana Program is a deep dive into Vajrayana practices and the teachings that support them. These brilliantly designed practices provide a profound method that guides us in recognizing ours and others’ innate awakened qualities as they support us in recognizing the sacred in every aspect and moment of our lives.

In this program, students will undertake the Shangpa Kagyu ngöndro as well as a rich curriculum of other Vajrayana practices such as Medicine Buddha, Amitabha, White Tara, Four Tantric Deities, and more. In addition to in-depth study of Vajrayana theory, students will also study and contemplate the philosophical basis of the teachings.

This program is designed to prepare students for the primary practices traditionally undertaken in the Shangpa three-year retreat. Applications are being accepted now through Dec 20.

Fee: $450 per quarter or $1800 for the year; payment plans available

Program Structure

The 7-year program curriculum will be delivered in the following way: 

  • Six 1-2 day weekend retreats per year – Program begins January 6&7, 2024

  • Four 2 to 3 hour meetings per year

Program Commitments:

  • 1 year commitment which can be renewed annually

  • Daily individual practice. Students will consult with the program teacher on the time commitment to daily practice.

  • Quarterly interviews with the teacher

  • June Sukhasiddhi Sangha Retreat

  • Sukhasiddhi Foundation Membership

  • Attend required empowerments when scheduled

Students will also be strongly urged to attend special teachings of a few retreats by teachers at Sukhasiddhi Foundation.

Financial Requirements:

The fees for the 2024 Vajrayana Program will be announced in the coming months.

All fees paid to Sukhasiddhi Foundation are tax-deductible as religious contributions.

Teacher:

Lama Döndrup

Curriculum Includes:

Study Topics

  • Living Life from a Vajrayana Perspective

  • Mandala Principle

  • Teacher-Student Relationship at the Vajrayana Level

  • Samaya in Vajrayana and Mahamudra

  • Vajrayana Theory

  • Empowerment

  • Death and Dying: Bardo Study 

  • Two Truths

  • View, Conduct, and Meditation

  • 5 Texts of Maitreya (initiating this study)

Practices:

  • Shangpa Ngöndro

    • Refuge & Prostrations

    • Vajrasattva

    • Mandala Offering

    • Guru Yoga

  • Medicine Buddha

  • Amitabha

  • White Tara

  • Four Tantric Deities

  • Milarepa

  • Lujong

Prerequisites

  • 7 years meditation experience including:

    • Shamatha

    • Vipashyana

    • Tonglen

    • Basic Vajrayana practice (Tara and/or Chenrezig)

  • Foundational Studies in Buddhism:

    • 4 Noble Truths

    • 5 Skandhas

    • 8 Consciousnesses

    • Dependent Origination

    • Karma

    • Two Truths (basic understanding)

    • 5 Buddha Families

Specific Mahayana Studies:

  • Bodhicaryāvatāra by Shantideva

  • 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva

  • Lojong & 7 Point Mind Training

  • Madhyamaka and Analytical Meditation

A Note from Lama Döndrup

For those interested in joining the 2024 Vajrayana Program, it is recommended that, in preparation, you participate in the ongoing Bodhi Program until the Vajrayana Program begins.