The Ngöndro, or preliminary practices, are the traditional pathway into Vajrayana Buddhism. Combining meditation, reflection, visualisation, recitation and physical offering, these practices effect a complete and comprehensive inner transformation. Not only do they prepare the practitioner for the profound path of Vajrayana and the teachings of Dzogchen, but they also lead him or her gradually towards enlightenment.

Held on one Saturday afternoon each month, Rigpa Australia’s 2022 Ngöndro workshop series will give you a thorough, practical introduction to the main Ngöndro practices, addressing the what, the how and the why of each element of these life-changing practices. The 2022 workshop program will address practical aspects not covered in Rigpa’s 2021 Ngöndro program.

These workshops will be presented by monastic and lay practitioners from Rigpa Australia and Rigpa’s international retreat centre Lerab Ling. They will share their deep understanding of the Ngöndro based on their decades of practice.

Session Date
(Saturdays) Time Topic Presenter
1 19 February 2 – 6pm (AEDT) What is the Ngöndro Daniella Vedelago
2 26 March 1 – 5pm
(AEDT) The Four Thoughts and how to use the commentaries to enrich your practice Ian and Ruth Gawler
3 28 May 1 – 5pm
(AEST) Refuge and prostrations: what we can truly rely on Catherine Paul
4 25 June 1 – 5pm
(AEST) Bodhichitta: enlightened courage, the heart and wisdom of compassion within the Ngöndro
5 23 July 9am – 4.30pm
(AEST) Full day Ngöndro practice retreat: exercise your practice muscle
6 20 August 1 – 5pm
(AEST) Vajrasattva: purifying and healing our obscurations and defilements Catherine Paul
7 24 September 3 – 7pm
(AEST) Mandala Offering: doing the practice Ane Lhamo
8 22 October 1 – 5pm
(AEDT) Guru Yoga: connecting with devotion as the unbroken receptivity to the truth

Experienced students and any student with a year or more of Buddhist study and a well-established regular meditation practice who would like to start the Ngöndro are most welcome to join all or any of these sessions.

Where: Online and in-person at 158 Australia St, Newtown, Sydney
We warmly invite students from all centres in Australia and New Zealand to join online.
Students from the USA are also invited to join at these times:
USA Eastern Standard Time (Fridays): February 9pm; March 10pm; May – September 11pm, October 10pm
USA Pacific Time (Fridays): February 6pm; March 7pm; May – September 8pm, October 7pm)

Cost: Rigpa subscribers (members): there may be a nominal fee for some sessions depending on the teacher, otherwise free. If you are a subscriber and have not received a direct invitation to these workshops please email sydney@rigpa.org.au
Non-subscribers: Individual session: $30 full price $20 concession per session
Season ticket (all 8 workshops): $199 full price, $130 concession

Register here

Enquiries: Please email sydney@rigpa.org.au