Creating Dharma Communities Around the Globe
It is Phakchok Rinpoche’s wish for all to have access to the precious Dharma regardless of where they live. For this reason, Rinpoche has devoted a great deal of time and energy to produce and offer online teachings.
What is Dharma-stream?
Dharma-stream is a series of regular video teachings directly from Phakchok Rinpoche, designed to be viewed in a group setting. It is Rinpoche’s wish that his students gather their Dharma-friends together, watch the teachings, meditate and discuss the topics together. This is a unique way of being in contact with Rinpoche to receive precious teachings on an ongoing basis. These teachings are presented in a step-by-step manner, becoming more and more profound over time.
Dharma-stream During the Covid-19 Pandemic
During the Covid-19 pandemic, most Dharma-stream groups are unable to meet in person – so until circumstances allow for groups to meet physically again, Dharma-stream continues online! In most cases, Zoom is the preferred meeting platform.
The majority of the Dharma-stream groups meet online during this time – please reach out to the local facilitator in your area for more information on when and how!
Find a Dharma-stream Group in Your Area
Want to study the Dharma-stream topics? Browse a directory of over 25 existing groups covering many countries and regions around the world.
More about Dharma-stream Groups
As already mentioned, the Dharma-stream teachings are to be viewed in a group setting. Group gatherings commence with a meditation session, then the group views the teaching and discusses key points, sharing experiences and views on the topics that Rinpoche touched upon. If the group cannot meet in person due to the Covid-19 pandemic but meets online instead, the structure for the session remains the same.
Dharma Stream Groups serve an important function, fulfilling the “five excellences” of the place, teacher, time, audience, and teaching — the optimum conditions for the turning of the Dharma Wheel.
There are already many active groups around the world that are meeting on a regular basis. Click here to view a full list of current Dharma Stream groups. If there is no practice center or established Dharma-stream group near you, it is easy to start your own group. Rinpoche has asked that the minimum number for a group is 3 people.
About the Dharma-stream Teachings
The first series of teachings within the Dharma-stream is entitled Dawn of Dharma. Rinpoche has requested that all his students study this series, regardless of Dharma experience. Later Dharma-stream teachings include The Eightfold Path of Mind-training, The Jewel Ornament of Liberation, and Radically Happy.
In order to view the Dharma-stream teachings, Rinpoche has requested that students form a group with a minimum of 3 people. Existing centers are automatically eligible to join, otherwise, you may apply to form a Dharma Stream group in your area. Rinpoche emphasizes the importance of gathering as a group for study and practice, as it provides an environment supportive of our practice.
The donation price for the fortnightly Dharma Stream videos and all materials for one year is $120 USD. If this price would cause significant hardship, please contact us to discuss other options. It is our wish to make the Dharma available to all who wish to receive it.
From time to time we also facilitate Q&A videos and webinars where group participants have a chance to ask their questions.
Form a New Group
If you would like to start a Dharma-stream group and be able to follow Phakchok Rinpoche’s Dharma-stream teachings, please read the following information and then proceed to sign up.
The group should meet at least 2 times per month, and the duration of the session should be around 2-2.5 hours. Once you have sent in your application form and made your donation of $120 to cover the first year, you will receive a welcome email containing a facilitator manual with guidelines and support, practice texts for doing the meditation sessions and additional material on the four mind-changings. You will also get access to the library of Dharma-stream videos along with ongoing support and access to future updates.
If you are ready to make your application, please fill out the form below and make a donation of $120 to cover the first year of materials. Any questions, please contact us.
