Tuscany & London: Dzogchen retreats with Drubdra Khenpo Tsultrim Tenzin

Drubdra Khenpo flies back to Triten Norbutse tomorrow after two intense weeks of teachings, transmissions, meditation and rituals. Our heartfelt thanks for his great generosity!

Italy

It was Khenpo’s second visit to Tuscany co-hosted by Paola Malatesta and we were happy to welcome many old students as well as several new ones. Khenpo taught from Yongdzin Rinpoche’s commentary on the Prayer to Tapihritsa by Gurub Nangzher Lӧpo which he began last year and led morning and evening meditation sessions. On the last day, he surprised us by giving many lung-transmissions.

We are already looking forward to the next Italian retreat, planned for 25-28 September in Calabria!

Giving a book presentation at Nuova Avventura bookshop in Massa Carrara. (Photo: Dmitry Ermakov).

At the beach. Marina di Carrara. (Photo: Carol Ermakova).

Editing a translation of the Ngӧndro from Mume Dalwa Dzogchen cycle for the forthcoming book. (Photo: Paola Malatesta).

Teaching at Yoga & Salute Saraswathi, Caniparola. (Photo: Oriella Tomà)

Leading meditation session at Yoga & Salute Saraswathi, Caniparola. (Photo: Dmitry Ermakov).

London

Drubdra Khenpo’s week in London began with Lusang, a joyful ritual offering to the Nagas on the banks of the River Thames. People travelled from as far away as Reading to join this ceremony, bringing flowers, dried fruits, biscuits and even gold leaf as offerings to the Lu water spirits. As well as leading the Sang for the Lu practice, Drubdra Khenpo explained the significance of this ritual and also gave the lung-transmission to all those present.

Lusang on River Thames. (Photos: various people).

After a day of working on editing a translation with Carol and Dmitry, Khenpo began his first Dzogchen teaching retreat in Central London, organised by Jon Kwan. Following a brief introduction and instructions on Guru Yoga, Khenpo went on to teach from Nyamzhag Gompai Laglen: The Practice of Equanimous Contemplation from the Oral Transmission of Zhang Zhung.

The weekend rounded off with a teaching on Yongdzin Lopӧn Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche’s oral transmission of Phowa with Tapihritsa.

Many thanks to all those who helped make these events a success! We look forward to welcoming Drubdra Khenpo again soon.