Preliminary Practices in Our Tradition with Geshe Thubten Sherab

Monday, December 2 – Sunday, December 8, 2024
see link for detailed schedule
Ngöndro, or preliminary practices, are not just rituals, but are profound methods to prepare the mind of practitioners for advancing in their spiritual path.

In this 4-part course, Geshe Thubten Sherab will guide students through the What, Why, and How of the preliminary practices, and the importance of cultivating the correct motivation for the practices. We will explore how the practices of accumulation of merit and purification of negative karma are important in order to make progress on the spiritual path. Geshe-la will cover:

• The refuge and seven-limb practice, including a commentary on the seven-limb offerings and the dedication section of the King of Prayers.
• Various Ngöndro practices, including Prostrations to the Thirty-five Confession Buddhas
• Purification and merit accumulation practices

Students can request to participate in a formal Refuge Ceremony with Geshe Sherab on Sunday afternoon. This is for anyone who would like to take it for the first time, or renew it again. Watch the video about When Are We Ready to Take Refuge? and read A Beginner's Guide to Refuge Vows.

The conclusion is for everyone to practice the lamrim, which is the heart of the Dharma. Especially try to put all their effort to live with a bodhicitta motivation, in particular, to be kind to others, which is the most essential practice. They should aim to have the realization of bodhicitta as their main goal — of course, based on guru devotion.

— Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Read more about Rinpoche’s advice on Life Preliminary Practices.

This course is ideal for individuals who:

• Are familiar with the Stages of the Path (Lamrim) teachings as presented in the Discovering Buddhism program.
• Have a keen interest in integrating Tibetan Buddhist practices into their daily life.