The Six Lamps of the Bӧn Dzogchen
Oral Transmission of Zhang Zhung

with Geshe Tenzin Gelek Rinpoche
2 Part Teaching Series via ZOOM

Part One: Feb 3rd - April 7th, Thursdays 6:00-7:30p EST
- break -
Part Two: Apr 28th - June 30th, Thursdays 6:00-7:30p EST

For those who cannot attend live or would like to review, each session will be recorded and accessible for the following week.

This teaching will be a line by line teaching of the root text, along with translation and commentary from Geshe Gelek Rinpoche. 

Participants will receive a copy of this translation and commentary.

Detailed schedule and description below. 

Registration Options:
Participants can register for the complete teaching all at once or one section at a time. Participants will have the opportunity to register for Part Two separately in April.

We offer a 3-tiered, self-selecting pricing system:

Part One only Sustaining Participant $275

Part One only Supporting Participant $325

Part One only Community Participant $225

Early Register for Part One & Part Two $525

Teaching Explanation:

As Tapihritsa (c 7th ~ 8th century) was a Bon practitioner who achieved the Dzogchen mastery of the rainbow body) said, “If you do not know what are called the Six Essential Points of the Enlightened Mind, then it is like showing things to a blind person. Without these instructions, then although you are taught many Dzogchen texts, it is like the body without the heart or the sense faculty without the eyes. Sentient beings' minds may go that way, but they will only get the benefit of the provisional meaning. It is very difficult to reach the essence of the reality of the Natural State of mind.” 

These instructions of the Six Lamps from the Dzogchen Oral Transmission of Zhang Zhung taught by Küntu Zangpo have never been hidden, remaining undiminished to the present time. The energy of the blessings has never depleted. These instructions are without any mistakes or faults. We followers of Yungdrung Bӧn have this kind of meritorious fortune. 

The instructions of the Six Lamps from the Dzogchen Oral Transmission of Zhang Zhung are the consummation of the Eighty-Four Thousand Teachings of Bӧn, the innermost essence of Dzogchen, the secret instructions of the Nine Buddhas of the Mind transmission. They are the unsurpassable oral transmission of the Twenty- Four Dzogchen masters who manifested the rainbow body. 

Therefore, these instructions identify the Universal Ground (kün zhi) like a mirror. Like seeing the reflection of your face in a mirror, these instructions directly show the Universal Ground that was not previously seen. 

These instructions are like a lamp that reveals the hidden primordial wisdom (yé shé). Like raising a lamp in the darkness, everything is directly and clearly seen without being hidden. Now, the way this primordial wisdom has been hidden is revealed by these instructions, directly revealing primordial wisdom vividly. 

These instructions strip Rigpa (awareness) naked. Like seeing a person’s body without clothing, these instructions strip Rigpa revealing it nakedly. 

These instructions decisively settle delusion. Just like when the source of a river is dry, the river will not flow, by these instructions the basis of delusion is decisively settled and is shown not to exist. 

These instructions are the teaching of the heart advice pointing the finger at the reality of the Natural State. Whatever things there may be, it becomes clear when someone points directly to them. In this way, these instructions point right on the view of the non-duality of emptiness and clarity, the great reality beyond the Intellect. 

Geshe Tenzin Gelek Rinpoche has agreed to teach the instructions of the Six Lamps from the Dzogchen Oral Transmission of Zhang Zhung. Any students of Yungdrung Bӧn who wish to learn these precious teachings are welcome to join. 

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.

Part One: February 3rd - April 7th
First Lamp - Lamp of the Abiding Base 
Session 1 - 2/3/22
Session 2 - 2/10/22
Session 3 - 2/17/22
Session 4 - 2/24/22
Session 5 - 3/3/22

Second Lamp - Lamp of the Flesh Heart 
Session 6 - 3/10/22
Session 7 - 3/17/22

Third Lamp - Lamp of the Smooth White Channel 

Session 8 - 3/24/22
Session 9 - 3/31/22
Session 10 - 4/7/22

———
Break 
———

Part Two: April 28th - June 30th
Review of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Lamps, Questions and Answers
Session 11 - 4/28/22

Fourth Lamp - Water Lamp of the Far Reaching Lasso 
Session 12 - 5/5/22
Session 13 - 5/12/22

Fifth Lamp - Lamp of the Direct Introduction of the Pure Realms 
Session 14 - 5/19/22
Session 15 - 5/26/22
Session 16 - 6/2/22

Sixth Lamp - Lamp of the Time of the Bardo 
Session 17 - 6/9/22
Session 18 - 6/16/22
Session 19 - 6/23/22

Review of 6 Lamps, Practice, Questions
Session 20 - 6/30/22