Foundations of Yungdrung Bӧn:
Fall 2021

9 Session Course with Geshe Tenzin Gelek VIA ZOOM

This course will be recorded and available to view for one week following each session.

Thursdays 10/7/21 - 12/9/21, no class 11/25
6:00-7:30 PM Eastern Time

9 Session Course
$135 ($15/session) - Community
$180 ($20/session) - Sustainer
$225 ($25/session) - Supporter

Prayer to the Lama

Compassionate one who leads out of the prison of cyclic existence. Merciful one who liberates this suffering.
Powerful one who protects from this fear.
I place my hope in no other than you.
May I be attentively held by the kindness of the Lama. 

Tashi Delek to all of my dharma friends.
I invite you to this upcoming course of various Bӧn instruction.

Course Topic Schedule:

1. The Way to Listen to Teachings

2. Collecting the Vital Essence of the Elements

3. The Three Heart Mantras

4-5. The Intermediate State of Becoming, the Sidpé Bardo 

6. Liberation Upon Hearing in the Bardo

7-8. The Transference of Consciousness of Athri, Phowa 

9. Confession of the Five Poisons 

Topic Explanation:

1. At this time, concerning the basis of what we are learning about the teachings of Bӧn, initially when we are hearing teachings from Lamas or Geshes, we need to have an idea of the motivation, and we must know how to keep the proper manners of the body and speech and so forth. We must not act casually doing whatever we please. Knowing these things is very important; as it says in the texts, the root of the path is knowing how to follow the Lama.

2. This body of ours is formed by the five elements which need to be balanced and nourished. Through the focus of the mantras of the Element Goddesses, from time to time the vital essence of the five elements can be gathered. This is very important to know how to practice.

3.  Three Heart Mantras, Salé Ӧd, Matri, and Dutrisu are the three root mantras of not only the Reality Body, Perfection Body, and Emanation Body, but also the antidote of the three poisons, and the essence of attaining the virtuous blessings of perfecting the accumulations of merit and wisdom. Accordingly, it is important to know how to practice properly with the object of visualization.

4-5-6. The Sidpé Bardo, the Intermediate State of Becoming, is when the sounds, lights, and rays of the previous Bardo of the Luminous Nature of Reality cease, and the consciousness wanders without support in the bardo. Although without physical sense organs, there are completely functioning sense consciousnesses. If we go near our family and friends and speak to them, they do not reply. The mind is drawn by strong attachment to our family and wealth, and we have no power over whatever wealth and possessions we have accumulated in life, so when we see others using it we suer greatly at that time. According to that, we must remember our practice, and in that way we need to learn the way to recognize all deluded appearances as being like the nature of a dream. It is very important to study the Liberation Upon Hearing in the Bardo.

7-8.  When a person suspects that a future enemy will attack, before the enemy comes, he prepares his weapons and armor and trains how to fight. Then when the enemy arrives, without needing to rely on anything else, he has the way to fight back and gain victory over his opponent. Just like this, now the signs of death have not yet occurred, so we can train in the Transference of Consciousness, Phowa.

We do not know when we will die , but when the time is certain, your consciousness is sent out the secret door of Great Bliss on the crown of the head, like a skilled archer shooting an arrow, projected to the heart of the primordial Küntuzangpo, mixed inseparably as one. We need to be able to do this, therefore the practice of the Transference of Consciousness is very important.

9.  We all have been born here in the valley of cyclic existence and have not yet died. We have knowingly and unknowingly done many sinful actions, and in this way have accumulated sins and so forth. Through regret and sorrow for all of these, we need to practice confession from time to time. Doing a daily practice of confession is extremely important. As the Buddha Tӧnpa Shenrab said, “Indeed beings have done sinful actions. From doing confession you can purify everything.” According to what he has said, it is certain that we need to practice confession.

Geshe Lungtok Tenzin Gelek practices and teaches Bon Religious Tradition. Geshe la has spent most of his life at Menri Monastery, since 7 years of age, learning the Bon tradition. HH 33rd Menri Trizin Lungtok Tenpai Nyima Rinpoche taught Geshe la how to chant according to the Menri tradition. Geshe la was appointed to the high position of Chant Master or Tsok Chen Um Zed, to lead all the Menri monks proper tone and pronunciation. He held the position for 3 years. HH 33rd Menri Trizin Rinpoche also taught him Cham – the secret dance, and held the position of Dance Master for 6 years. HE Yongdzin Lopon Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche taught Geshe la the Bon Scriptures of Sutra, Tantra and Dzogchen. Geshe la would memorize all root text of these scriptures. He also learned poetry, astrology, astronomy, Tibetan medicine, and methods for constructing mandalas and stupas. Geshe la taught Bon Mool Shastra (Bon root texts of Zhang-zhung) to students at Central University of Tibetan Studies, Varanasi, India for 14 years. Geshe la is dedicated to teaching and supporting the scriptures to all who are interested.

9 Session Class
$135 ($15/session) - Community
$180 ($20/session) - Sustainer
$225 ($25/session) - Supporter

It is the mission of the Boston Center for Contemplative Practice to provide balanced financial accessibility to our services. We believe that what we offer should be for everyone. We offer a 3-tiered, self-selecting pricing system for events and scholarships for our professional trainings classes. 

"Sustainer" prices are general admission pricing, maintaining the center’s ability to meet costs for holding an event. 

"Community" pricing is for those with limited income and access to resources. 

”Supporter" pricing is for those who would like to support our ability to offer community pricing and improve the center.