Kiabje Rizong Rinpoche

Holder of one of the
three highest spiritual positions
in the Gelug Tradition of
Tibetan Buddhism

A Rare Opportunity to Learn Directly
from an Extraordinary Master of
Sutra and Tantra

Born in Ladakh in the early 1930s, Kyabje Rizong Rinpoche was recognized and enthroned as a child as the reincarnation of the founder of the illustrious Rizong Hermitage.

In the mid-1940s Rinpoche joined Drepung Loseling Monastery in Lhasa for his higher training, remaining until the Chinese takeover of Tibet in 1959. He then joined His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan exile community in India. He was appointed by His Holiness as Abbot both of Gyumed Tantric Monastery and of Drepung Loseling, two of the greatest seats of Tibetan spiritual knowledge. At present Rinpoche carries the title Jangtse Choje, or “Dharma Master of the Northern Peak,” one of the three highest spiritual positions in the Gelug Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

Rinpoche has made the practice of meditation his principal focus in life, and has conducted numerous extensive retreats, including a three-year tantric retreat on the Yamantaka mandala in a remote hermitage in Ladakh. Through his achievements in practice and scholarship, he represents the pinnacle of the Sutra and Tantra traditions.

Rinpoche is renowned for his Tantric powers, and is frequently called upon by H.H. the Dalai Lama to lead ceremonies for healing and other similar purposes.

Within the genre of teachings known as Lojong, or Transforming the Mind, the Lamrim teachings have special significance. Established in Tibet in the 11th century by the great Indian master Atisha, these teachings caught the imagination and attention of all of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions; the teachings were made popular especially by Je Rinpoche, Lama Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug tradition, in the 14th century. Known in English as The Stages of the Path, these teachings present a complete roadmap to full enlightenment.

These teachings have been passed down in an unbroken lineage in various forms and approaches over the centuries, ranging from verbal instruction to experiential transmission. Only a handful of senior masters hold the complete experiential transmission of the Lojong/Lamrim teachings. From his early childhood, Kyabje Rizong Rinpoche has specialized in these practices, studying under the most luminous lineage holders of the teachings.

Despite his advanced age, Rinpoche has graciously agreed to introduce the Loseling community to the experiential transmission of the complete Lamrim teachings.

The teaching will be based on The Essence of Nectar, a concise Lamrim text by Yeshe Tsöndru, a 19th century Gelug lama. This text, composed in verse form, is considered one of the most inspirational Lamrin texts available today for beginners and for advanced practitioners alike.

This course is free and open to the public; however, space is limited and pre-registration is required by March 15.

You will have an opportunity to make the traditional. voluntary offering to the teacher at the end of the course.

Vajrasattva is the Buddha of Purification. Meditation on this deity, together with the recitation of the 100-syllable mantra, is considered one of the most powerful Tantric methods for purifying the negative karma of body, speech and mind, and for eliminating karmic obstacles. All the great Tibetan Buddhist meditators have relied on this preliminary practice as a foundation for the success of their meditation and inner transformation.

Vajrasattva meditation and mantra recitation, using a short but profound sadhana, has been a popular ongoing practice at the Loseling Institute. One member commented, “The experience of the week-long intensive retreat, followed by a year of weekly group practice, opened up new levels of meaning for me. Over the course of the year the participants bonded together into a family of practitioners. The commitment to practice has become an integral part of my life and has irrevocably set me on the path of Dharma.”

On the recommendation of many individuals who attended the last Vajrasattva retreat, the Institute will schedule weekly group meditation practices for the participants in this retreat with Kyabje Rinzong Rinpoche and for others who have received empowerment into Vajrasattva in the past.

Space is limited. Please register as soon as possible, but no later than April 23.

Heruka Chakrasamvara, or the “Tantra of the Wheel of Supreme Bliss,” is the primary practice for advanced students at the Loseling Institute.

The 2004 Chakrasamvara initiation and retreat, with Kyabje Locho Rinpoche, drew participants from around the world to Atlanta. This profound practice inspired a solid group of practitioners, who meet weekly at the Institute and monthly for intensive weekend retreats.

In 2005, we are once again blessed to have an extraordinary master lead our annual retreat on this Highest Yoga Tantra practice. During this retreat, Kyabje Rizong Rinpoche will confer empowerment and give extensive teachings on the sadhana. In addition, Rinpoche will offer teachings on the Stages and Paths of Tantric Practice, based on the Guhyasamaja Tantra.

As Chakrasamvara is an advanced Tantric practice, participants must have a basic grounding in Buddhist studies and meditation practice and also must be able to make a commitment to daily meditation on “The Six Session Guru Yoga.” Therefore, in order to register for this retreat you must submit a recommendation from your teacher or make an appointment (in-person or over the phone) with one of the Drepung Loseling resident teachers to discuss your participation.

Space is limited. Please register as soon as possible, but no later than May 17.

Members: $335 for each retreat, or $500 for both retreats
Non-members: $375 for each retreat, for $650 for both retreats

To qualify for the discount, you must either pay for both retreats at the same time OR pay the full tuition fee for the first retreat and pay the balance prior to the second retreat.

Course fees help defray administrative and overhead costs; however, the teachers are not compensated. Therefore, a voluntary offering to the teacher is encouraged.