 Dakini Niguma"It could be said that Niguma is the mistress of illusion. Not only is her very nature as a historical person obscure in every way and her main and only treatise focused on that subject (her master work, Stages in the Path of Illusion), but the other teachings for which she is most famous also reverberate with this theme. The two principle areas of practice in the tradition are the yogas based on the Six Dharmas of Niguma (like the Six Yogas of Naropa), with an emphasis on the illusory body and dream yogas, and the special Amulet Mahamudra, a practice of doing "nothing." This twofold division of teachings represents the two universal approaches in tantric practice: the paths of methods or techniques and the path of liberation, which focuses on the cultivation of a superior way of knowing."
Sarah Harding
Sara Harding has written an excellent book on Niguma and her teaching. The writeup below is from Shambhala Publications.
"Providing a rare glimpse of feminine Buddhist history, Niguma, Lady of Illusion brings to the forefront the life and teachings of a mysterious eleventh-century Kashmiri woman who became the source of a major Tibetan Buddhist practice lineage. The circumstances of her life and extraordinary qualities ascribed to her are analyzed in the greater context of spiritual biography and Buddhist doctrine. More than a historical presentation, Niguma's story raises the question of women as real spiritual leaders versus male images of feminine principle and other related contemporary issues. This volume includes the thirteen works that have been attributed to Niguma in the Tibetan Buddhist canon. These collected works form the basis of an ancient lineage Shangpa, which continues to be actively studied and practiced today. These works include the source verses for such esoteric practices as the Six Yogas, the Great Seal, and the Chakrasamvara and Hevajra tantric practices that are widespread in Tibetan traditions. Also included is the only extant biography, which is enhanced by the few other sources of information on her life and work. "
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Vajradhara
Niguma received these teachings directly from Vajradhara.
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Drupon Trinley Ningpo with HH Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche
Drupon Thinley Ningpo &
H.E. Garchen Rinpoche
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Teaching Location
2 Elm St.
Bristol, VT 05443
Directions |
Community
Housing Inexpensive Housing is available for $20-25 per night.
Other Housing Options |
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Nearest airport, bus and train stations are in Burlington, VT. Pickups from these locations can be arranged
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2013 Snake Year Teachings
Tso Pema, India
February 17 - March 1
Snake Year Teachings in Tso Pema, India. Teachings with HE Choje Togden Rinpoche and Lho Ontul Rinpoche. Dates are February 17-March 1st. For more information
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Facebook Pages with texts, images, video and other Dharma Resources
 . Lord Jigten Sumgon Founder of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage Yangzab Dzogchen Treasure Teachings Devoted to the Yangzab Dzogchen Terma or Treasure Teachings. Contains hard to find resouces for Yangzab practitioners. Drikung Rinchen Phuntsok This page is devoted to one of the greates Drikung Kagyu lineage holders who was equally a holder of both Mahamudra and Dzogchen teachings. Many things can be found here about this great master. We plan to make eexcerpts of his life and liberation story available on this page. Drikung Rinchen Phuntsok revealed the Yangzab Dzogchen Treasure teachings as well as other Treasure teachings. Lho Nuden Dorje Lho Nuden Dorje is the next great treasure revealer after Drikung Rinchen Phontsog. He was the youger brother of the current incarnation of Lhon Ontul Rinpoche. Ratna Rinpoche and H.E. Bongtul Rinpoche are both recognized as emanations of Lho Nuden Dorje. Most of the Drikung Kagyu Empowerment texts and practices derive from Lho Nuden Dorje. His Dharma works are vast filling some 21 volumes. This page has already made available texts and images of practices revealed or composed by Lho Nuden Dorje. |
May These Teachings Benefit All Sentient Beings |
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Yangzab Amitayus Long Life Empowerment
Drupon Trinley Ningpo will be bestowing the long life Amitayus Empowerment form the Extremely Profound Intention of the Sublime Dharma transmitted by Guru Padmasambhava discovered by Drigung Rinchen Phuntsog. This particular Amitayus empowerment is unique in that it introduces one to the outer, inner, and secret aspects of immortality. One is introduced to the true immortal vajra body essence of one's own present form together with the male and female Buddha's of the five families abiding in the five cakras. This empowerment also serves as the gateway to the three aspects long life practice associated with this empowerment. There is an outer practice whereby one does the meditation and recitation of the Buddha Amitayus. There is an inner practice where one works with the subtle energies of prana in order to attain immortality and tame one's mind. Finally, there is the secret practice, wherein one utilizes the skillful means of union with a consort to attain common accomplishments such as immortality and the ability to perform the enlightened activites as well as the supreme accomplishment of Buddhahood.
Time: 7 PM
Sug. Don. $30
Location: 2 Elm St. Bristol, VT
Friday, December 7
Yangzab Amitayus Practice Instructions
Drupon Thinley Ningpo will be giving the practice instructions for the Yangzab Long Life & Healing Practices.
Time: 2:30 -5 PM PM
Sug. Don. $25
Location: 2 Elm St. Bristol, VT
Friday-Sunday, December 7-9
Niguma's Wisdom Dakini Teachings:
Stages in the Path of Illusion
Niguma is considered as one of most important and highly appreciated tantric yogini or Vajrayana Buddhist lady- teachers (dakinis). There are few certain facts about her life. She was born 10th century in Kashmir in rich Brahmin family and according to different sources was sister or consort of Naropa. It's said that her Buddhist realization originates directly from Buddha Vajradhara. Her main student was Tibetan meditation master Khyungpo Naljor, who traveled to India to receive transmission of her teachings. Later on he became founder of Shangpa Kagyu lineage.
This mysterious Kashmiri woman from the 10-11 centuries is known as Niguma, the Dakini of Timeless Awareness, and she is the only woman whose teachings became the source of a lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. She is said to have attained the Rainbow Body and many great Masters have seen her in visions or dreams over the last 1000 years. Her teachings have influenced and been incorporated into many different schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Not only is she herself ethereal, as befits a dakini, but most of the works attributed to her seem to focus on illusion. Her practices of the Six Dharmas emphasize illusory body and dream yoga, and her only lengthy treatise is called "Stages in the Path of Illusion.
This weekends retreat will will be a rare opportunity to study her essential work "Stages in the Path of Illusion". Drupon Trinley Ningpo received these precious teachings from HH Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche and this will be the first time he has taught on them publicly.
Friday - Time: 7 PM
Sat-Sun-Time: 10-12 and 2:30-5 PM Both Days
Sug. Don. $120
Location: 2 Elm St. Bristol, VT
Monday, December 10
Niguma's Amulet of Mahamudra
Below is how the great Jamgon Kontrol Rinpoche described Niguma's Amulet of Mahamudra teachings:
"The vajra lines of the instruction on the essential meaning of no mental engagement were highly valued by the scholar-adept Khyungpo, such that he rolled up the paper and inserted it into a heart*like Nepalese amulet box, which he tied it around his neck. Thus it is known as the "Amulet Mahamudra." In the preliminary of the threefold letting-go, one cultivates calm abiding and higher insight. In the main practice, the descent of vajra timeless awareness points out [minds nature] in a sneaky way (the burglar method), and by means of the liberation of the four faults in their own ground, one becomes resolved about mind itself. In the concluding practice, one maintains the state of the naturally arisen three kayas and relies on the extraordinary enhancement and obstruction-clearing practices. Thus, it is the heart of all teachings of sutra and tantra, the pith of all esoteric instruction, and the actualization of the natural liberation of the four kayas in mahamudra".
Time: 10 - 4 PM
Sug. Don. $40
Location: 2 Elm St. Bristol, VT
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Registration
For those attending the complete Retreat
(December 6-10) the suggested donation is $200.
To Register please email ddcv@gmavt.net
Or call 802-453-3431
Work Study and Scholarships Available
No one turned away for financial reasons.
If you are able to pre-register for these teachings
that is very much appreciated. But it is also ok to register at the door the day of the event.
Registration checks should be made out
to DDCV and sent to:
DDCV
PO Box 252
Bristol, VT 05443
You can also pay by Paypal.
Our Paypal account is ddcv@gmavt.net
To pay by credit card please call 802-453-3431
Community Housing
Inexpensive community housing is available for $20-25 per night. Contact us at ddcv@gmavt.net or call 802-453-3431.
Ride Pick-ups Available from Burlington, VT
if you are coming by train, bus or plane.
email ddcv@gmavt.net
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Drupon Thinley Ningpo Rinpoche Biography
The Venerable Drupon Thinley Ningpo Rinpoche was born in Nag-chu District of Tibet. From his earliest years, the Venerable Thinley Ningpo was distinguished by a loving and compassionate nature and an active concern for the welfare of others. He entered school at the age of eight, and diligently pursued his elementary education. As he became the outstanding student in his school, he was rewarded with an appointment as teacher for the lower grades when he turned 17 years old. At that time he held a second job as a clerk for the municipal government. In addition to his teaching and clerical work, the Venerable Thinley Ningpo pursued studies in veterinary medicine. After continuing this work for some time, his natural inclination towards religion developed into a determination to pursue higher spiritual studies. His father supported his decision, and applied to the proper authorities. He then entered the 'Brong-ngur Monastery where became a student of the eminent Buddhist scholar, Lama Kedrub Siddhi Rinpoche, who chose him from among all the new students to be his disciple. He engaged in the study of a wide range of Drikung Buddhist traditions, including ritual practices, mandala and stupa design and construction and the art of producing bronze images of sacred beings. Subsequently, he was made director of the project to construct a new main stupa for the monastery. After completing this formidable project in an excellent manner, he went on a pilgrimage to Drikung Thel Monastery where he met the great yogin and scholar, Drubwang Pa-chung Rinpoche. Ven. Thinley Ningpo was inspired to asked for the essential precepts for the higher spiritual practices. Recognizing his unique abilities, Rinpoche agreed and asked his to return at daybreak. He thus was able to receive the profound essence instructions in the practice and mastery of the peerless Mahamudra.
In 1988 Ven. Thinley Ningpo went on a pilgrimage to the sacred places of Tibet. This brought him to the western regions where he took a fortuitous opportunity to escape to India. This was accomplished through a very perilous two-month journey on foot across the Himalaya. Once safely in India, he proceeded to the Drikung Kagyu Temple and entered into the institute of higher education. After completing his course of study, he was appointed as dean of the institute. He served in this capacity for six years. Ven. Thinley Ningpo spent 1994 in spiritual retreat during which time he accomplished all the preliminary practices of the Fife-fold Mahamudra. He then went to the Dorje Redrubde hermitage in Alora where he entered into the tradition three year retreat, where he accomplished the practices of the Fife-fold Mahamudra and the profound path of the Six Yogas of Naropa. He participated in the Drikung Kagyu Snake Year teaching retreat where he received the entire body of Drikung Kagyu empowerments, transmissions, and instructions for advanced practice. In this way he completed the process of advanced training in all the profound and sacred traditions of the Drikung and earned the title of Drupon "master of spiritual attainment".
Motivated by his deep and constant desire to help others to attain liberation, Ven. Thinley Ningpo traveled to America where he served as Spiritual Director and Retreat Master of the Tibetan Meditation Center in Frederick, MD.
Drupon-la now travels extensively with the blessing of HH Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang teaching the precious Dharma and leading Dharma students in retreat. He has traveled to South America in the last two years and upon the conclusion of this retreat Drupon-la will be traveling to New Zealand. We have been very blessed her in Vermont by Drupon-la,s kindness and practical Wisdom which shines forth like the rays of the sun. Drupon-la possesses the special quality of being able to understand deeply the needs of Western students and to provide the Dharma Teachings needed in the moment so they can progress on the Path.
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