Fundamentals of Tibetan Ritual Arts

Join us for a three-day immersive retreat exploring the rich and profound tradition of Tibetan ritual arts. Esteemed teacher Dorlop Chonyi Sangmo will guide participants through an in-depth, hands-on introduction to essential elements of Vajrayana ritual practice.

Rooted in the Namchak lineage, this retreat will prepare students for deeper engagement with Sangwa Yeshe practice and Drupchod. Though what you will learn could be applied to most Nyingma practices, this will be taught from the Namchak lineage perspective and the class will specifically focus on the Sangwa Yeshe practice and serve as a preparation for drupchod. With instruction and practical application, participants will gain enriching insight and skills for their personal practice and support ritual ceremonies within their sangha.

What You Will Learn:

Musical Instruments: Receive hands-on bell and drum instructions— both how to play alone and along with the chant master.

Mudras (Sacred Hand Gestures): You will learn to perform key mudras used in the Sangwa Yeshe practice.

Shrine Setup: Learn how to create and maintain a shrine at home to support your Vajrayana Buddhist practice. This session will cover the essential elements of a Namchak lineage shrine, including proper offerings and how to arrange special objects.

Torma Making: Hands-on practice making dough for Tormas and creating basic shapes.

Format:

The retreat will be held in a hybrid format, allowing participants to join in person at the Bodhi House or online via Zoom. The in-person experience offers the unique opportunity to engage directly with Dorlop Choenyi Sangmo and fellow practitioners, while the virtual option ensures accessibility for students around the world.

Why Attend:

Understanding and engaging with Tibetan ritual arts is a vital aspect of Vajrayana practice. This retreat offers a rare opportunity to learn from an experienced ritual master, ensuring that these traditions are preserved and passed on to future generations of practitioners. By gaining these skills, you will be better equipped to support your own practice, contribute to your sangha, and participate more fully in community ceremonies.

Who Should Attend:

This retreat is designed for practitioners who have taken Refuge Vows and are interested in deepening their understanding of Tibetan ritual arts. It is particularly suited for:

• Students with some foundational knowledge of Vajrayana practices who are ready to integrate ritual arts into their daily or group practice.
• Practitioners preparing for Drupchod
• Sangwa Yeshe practitioners who want to learn the specific mudras, musical elements, and shrine setup to enhance their practice.
• Sangha members who wish to support group rituals.

This retreat is not intended for absolute beginners, but if you are new to Tibetan Buddhist practice, we recommend starting with foundational teachings on Shamata, Vipassana, or introductory Vajrayana practices before engaging in ritual arts. To build a strong foundation, you may explore offerings such as the Walking the Path program or Intro to Calm Abiding Meditation.

Details:

• Shuttle to and from the Bodhi House from the Missoula airport will be provided.
• Optional Silent Retreat: Monday, February 24- the morning of Wednesday, February 26, 2025
• Please fly into Missoula by 3 pm on Friday.
• The departure shuttle will be available Monday morning or Wednesday morning, depending on whether you will stay for the two days of silent retreat.
• Lodging (small individual rooms at the Bodhi House), food, and a shuttle are included in the retreat price.

Sliding Scale Pricing Structure:

Our intention is to make this retreat financially accessible to all, so we offer a tiered fee structure. You will be able to choose whichever level works best for you. Please let us know if program costs present a financial barrier by reaching out to ZW1pbHkgfCBuYW1jaGFrICEgb3Jn.

The ticket price for this retreat also includes a shuttle* from the Missoula airport (MSO) to the Bodhi House at Namchak Retreat Ranch in Hot Springs, Montana, meals, and lodging.

* Shuttles will be arranged for Friday afternoon as well as Monday morning.

Supported - For those with limited financial resources who will benefit from participating in the retreat.

Suggested - For those with sufficient financial resources who can pay for the experience without difficulty.

Sponsored - For those with the financial resources and the desire to support access for others.

If program costs present a financial barrier, please contact ZW1pbHkgfCBuYW1jaGFrICEgb3Jn. As space allows, no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Dorlop Chonyi Sangmo is a Tibetan Buddhist nun and an esteemed Vajra Master (Dorje Lopön) in the Namchak lineage. With decades of rigorous training, including two intensive three-year retreats, she embodies deep spiritual commitment and expertise in Buddhist philosophy, ritual, and meditation.

Born in a farming village in Shikatse, Central Tibet, Dorlop la’s devotion to the Dharma emerged at an early age, despite familial and societal obstacles. As a child, she secretly studied Dharma texts while working in the fields, nurturing an unshakable aspiration to take monastic vows. At 23, facing religious persecution, she courageously fled Tibet, enduring a harrowing 10-day journey on foot through the Himalayas to reach Nepal.

Once in Nepal, she joined Tulku Sangak Rinpoche’s Turquoise Leaf Monastery, where her deep study and practice flourished. She later moved to Siliguri, India, to complete further studies and monastic training. Over time, she took on various roles, from monastery worker to chant leader and, eventually, a teacher, guiding up to three classes a day.

Dorlop la completed her first three-year retreat at the age of 30, a transformative period of intensive meditation and practice. She later served as the Vajra Master for her second three-year retreat, an honor that reflects both her mastery of the teachings and her ability to guide others through the profound depths of retreat practice.

Following her retreat training, she continued studying, teaching, and performing ceremonial duties at Turquoise Leaf Monastery and Namdroling Monastery for seven years. In 2023, she relocated to Montana to support the establishment of the Namchak Three-Year Retreat Center.

Currently, Dorlop la is focused on deepening her personal practice and learning English while residing in Missoula, Montana. She is dedicated to helping create a strong foundation for retreatants at the Namchak Retreat Ranch and continues to serve as a guiding presence in the sangha.

Her journey—marked by unwavering perseverance, profound devotion, and a deep well of wisdom—serves as an inspiration for practitioners navigating the Buddhist path.

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