Contents
Requirements
The requirements for engaging in the preliminary practices come down to a sincere interest in practicing the Vajrayana path. In most cases, this would include having taken refuge or bodhisattva vows. Phakchok Rinpoche asks that his students commit to practicing the ngöndro every day without a break to maintain momentum. For this reason, we encourage you to take this responsibility very seriously and to abide by this commitment. In addition, one should request the reading transmission of the text one is practicing from a qualified master. Samye Institute regularly provides opportunities to receive these transmissions online, but you may have to wait for a period of a month or two for that occasion. In the meantime, you may begin the practice with the sincere intention to receive that transmission as soon as possible. Please also keep an eye on Phakchok Rinpoche and Tulku Migmar Tsering’s travel schedules. You may also receive the transmission from qualified Druplas at affiliated centers. And it is also quite correct to receive the transmission from other masters who hold the Tukdrup Barché Künsel lineage.
Introduction
Samye Institute rejoices in your commitment to Ngöndro practice (the Four Foundations)! Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, the grandfather of Phakchok Rinpoche, said that the “essence of all the sūtras and tantras were condensed into four things to think of, the four mind changings, and four things to practice, the preliminaries of four times one hundred thousand (ngöndro)”.
We’ve designed this practice companion to support you in every step of your training in the Tukdrub Barché Kunsel Ngöndro practices. For practitioners of other traditions, many of the core principles will resonate and support your practice as well. Our resources include free access to Samye Institute’s self-paced Ngöndro course and individual teachings from our Druplas and Khenpos on each element of the common and uncommon preliminaries.
We regularly add video teachings of the extensive Ngöndro that are applicable to anyone engaged in Ngöndro. We encourage all Vajrayana members to repeatedly review the precious instructions on the four mind changings–the reflections that we all can return to on a daily basis for inspiration. In addition, you can “practice along” to the chanted tunes with audio downloads of each of the practices. Moreover, we provide visual supports and aids for your visualization.
Downloads
The Seed of Supreme Awakening
The Concise Preliminary Practices
Video Resources
The Importance of the Four Mind Changings to Develop Pure Renunciation
In this teaching, Khenpo Gyaltsen discusses how the outer preliminary practices are essential for developing a true renunciation for the sufferings of Samsara.
Preliminary Practices from the Lamé Tukdrup Barché Künsel: Going for Refuge
In this teaching, generously sponsored by Samye's Indonesian Sangha, Drupla Sonam Tsering provides instruction and commentary to the Ngöndro practices of the Tukdrup Barché Künsel.
Audio Resources
The Outer Ngöndro Recited by Drupla Sonam Tsering (The Seed of Supreme Awakening
Refuge and Bodhicitta Recited by Drupla Sonam Tsering (The Seed of Supreme Awakening)
Vajrasattva Recitation by Drupla Sonam Tsering (The Seed of Supreme Awakening)
Mandala Offering and Guru Yoga Recited by Drupla Sonam Tsering (The Seed of Supreme Awakening)
Refuge and Bodhicitta Recited by Drupla Sonam Tsering (The Concise Preliminary Practices)
Vajrasattva Recitation by Drupla Sonam Tsering (The Concise Preliminary Practices)
Mandala Offering Recited by Drupla Sonam Tsering (The Concise Preliminary Practices)
Guru Yoga Recited by Drupla Sonam Tsering (The Concise Preliminary Practices)
Phakchok Rinpoche: The Profundity of Refuge in the Ngöndro
In this audio clip from January, 2017, Phakchok Rinpoche instructs students attending the Sadhana Ritual Course at Asura Cave in Nepal. The students are receiving guidance on the four foundations. Rinpoche first reviews the five excellences. Then, Rinpoche reminds the students in Nepal and us of the amazing blessings of this practice. In this segment, he explains the profundity of the refuge practice. We can come to understand how this practice contains the entire path.
Phakchok Rinpoche: The Three Pillars of Vajrayana Practice
Phakchok Rinpoche advises listeners on the best way to enter the Tibetan Vajrayana path by relying on three pillars to build a strong foundation.
Drupla Sherab Dorjé: Why Are There So Many Different Teachings If Ngöndro Contains All?
Drupla Sherab Dorje addresses a frequently asked student question regarding practice in general. Why, if Ngöndro practice is the key, is there a need for anything beyond this?
Here Drupla reminds us how different practices such as Guru Yoga are contained within the Ngöndro practice. All of the other practices are skillful means. We can realize the main point through these practices. However, as sentient beings, we have different wishes, wants, and preferences. There are said to be 84,000 different teachings to tame sentient beings.
There are very few realized practitioners who will not have completed the preliminary practices, says Drupla. It is really important that we take that to heart and understand the importance of Ngöndro. We will then come to cherish it and be able to teach it to others.
Drupla Sherab Dorjé: The History of the Tukdrup Barché Künsel
In this teaching, Drupla Sherab Dorjé explains the background and history of the Tukdrup Barché Künsel cycle, from its initial transmission by Guru Rinpoche to its re-discovery and propagation by the Great Tertön Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa in the nineteenth century. He describes the power of the practice and emphasizes the reasons that many lamas praise this cycle of teachings.
