Teachings with Venerable Lho Ontul Rinpoche - 2007

Chod
Chod is an expression of the philosophical view of the Prajnaparamita Sutra on Transcendental Wisdom. This teaching is a special dzogchen chod. Chod means to sever or cut the root of dualistic mind which is ignorance, and its offshoots, the five conflicting emotions. The view of chod is the union of emptiness and luminosity which culminates in the view of dzogchen. This teaching is the 4th-year of the Yangzab Dzogchen cycle of teachings.

Three Roots
The Yangzab Three Roots is a highest yoga tantra generation stage practice of the 100 peaceful and wrathful deities. The Yangzab cycle of teachings is the Utterly Profound Meaning of the Holy Dharma. Generation stage practice involves training the mind through detailed visualizations that prepare one for completion stage practices and dzogchen. The empowerment is necessary for those who wish to pursue the dzogchen curriculum through Dharmakirti College.

Fivefold Path of Mahamudra
ivefold Path of Mahamudra is a very concise generation stage practice that includes the preliminary ngondro, Chakrasamvara, four-kaya guru yoga, mahamudra, and dedication. This practice prepares one for the completion stage Six Yogas of Naropa practices. The empowerment is necessary for those who wish to pursue the mahamudra curriculum

Venerable Lho Ontul Rinpoche
Venerable Lho Ontul Rinpoche is a master of both the Drikung Kagyu and Nyingma lineages. The Drikung Kyabgon H. H. Chetsang Rinpoche recognized Ontul Rinpoche to be the emanation of Drog Ban Khiu Chung Lotsawa, one of the twenty-five main disciples of Guru Rinpoche. In a previous incarnation, Rinpoche was the older brother and one of the primary disciples of the great Drikung Treasure Revealer Orgyen Nuden Dorje, thus receiving the name "Ontul", meaning "older brother". In 1959 Rinpoche fled the Chinese Communist occupation of Tibet to India. In India the Drikung Khandro Nini Rinpoche cared for and taught Ontul Rinpoche as well as introducing Rinpoche to his root lama, Ven. Khenpo Thubten, a great Nyingmapa teacher, from whom Rinpoche received extensive instruction on the Longchen Nyingthig. Rinpoche also received Mahamudra and Dzogchen teachings from Dudjom Rinpoche, Khunu Lama Tenzin Gyaltsen, H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, 3rd Kalu Rinpoche, Yogi Khyunga Rinpoche and others. Ontul Rinpoche received the Yangzab treasure teachings from H.E. Chvje Togden Rinpoche, the 8th Garchen Rinpoche, and Khenpo Konchog Ngedon. With the blessing of H.H. Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, Ontul Rinpoche travels the world transmitting the Drikung Dzogchen treasure teachings. Rinpoche is known for his warm humor, wisdom, and vast bodhicitta.