Guru Rinpoche Konchog Chidu Retreat

[Vajra Vidya Program]

Guru Rinpoche Retreat

Konchog Chidu

Our first retreat focuses on Konchog Chidu – “The Embodiment of the Precious Ones” or “The Embodiment of the Three Jewels”, a Guru Rinpoche terma cycle revealed by the great tertön Rigdzin Jatsön Nyingpo (1585–1656).

Konchog Chidu is regarded as a complete practice:

• It gathers the Three Jewels and Three Roots into one mandala of practice.
• It contains ngöndro, outer, inner, secret and most secret instructions.
• It is fully in harmony with our Karma Kagyu lineage, and has been upheld and practiced by great Kagyu masters.

In this retreat, we rely on Konchog Chidu as a bridge between our present condition and the mind of awakening. Through this practice we:

• Purify obstacles that block the path,
• Receive blessings that make the mind soft, clear, and workable,
• Deepen our connection with the Three Jewels and with Guru, Yidam, and Dakini as the living Three Roots.

As Guru Rinpoche promised, in these later times those who remember him, call his name, and recite his mantra with faith will be swiftly protected and guided. This commitment to us allows “Om Ah Hung Benza Guru Pema Siddhi Hung” to be a direct connection to Guru Rinpoche in this degenerate age.

Guru Rinpoche Biography

Padmasambhava, Guru Rinpoche, the “Precious Guru,” is the great Vajra master who brought Vajrayana Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century. Invited by King Trisong Detsen, he helped establish Samye, the first monastery in Tibet, and opened the mandala of Vajrayana to his twenty-five main disciples at Chimphu.

He is revered as an emanation of Buddha Shakyamuni and the source of the Nyingma school, and his blessings are cherished in all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Through his activity he tamed obstructing forces, turned local deities into Dharma protectors, and hid countless treasure teachings (terma) to be revealed later, exactly when beings needed them.

Guru Rinpoche is a living presence—a guru, protector, and wise friend who responds directly when we supplicate him with faith.

Tertön Jatsön Nyingpo Biography

Tertön Jatsön Nyingpo (1585–1656) was a great Nyingma master and tertön of 17th-century Tibet. He is remembered as a vidyadhara, a bearer of profound realization.

Tradition recognizes him as a reincarnation of Nyangben Tingdzin Zangpo, a close disciple of Guru Rinpoche. His revealed treasures (terma) were collected into six volumes known as the Jatsön Podruk, and among them, Konchog Chidu is considered his principal cycle.

Tertön Jatsön Nyingpo was also unusual among tertöns in that he was a fully ordained monk, known for his strict discipline as well as his visionary realization. The fact that Konchog Chidu arises from such a realized master, and has been carried in an unbroken practice lineage until today, makes this retreat an opportunity to connect directly to the blessings of Guru Rinpoche.

Guru Rinpoche Retreat Schedule

Thursday, January 22

Day of arrival for retreatants lodging at Vajra Vidya

Friday, January 23rd through Monday, January 26th

7:30 am – 8:00 am | Breakfast

9:00 am – 10:00 am | Community Practice with Khenpo Jigme

10:30 am – 12:00 pm | 1st Session with Khenpo Jigme

12:00 pm – 12:30 pm | Lunch

2:30 – 5:30 pm | 2nd Session with Khenpo Jigme

5:30 – 6:00 pm | Dinner

Thursday, January 23

Day of departure for retreatants lodging at Vajra Vidya