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Dudjom Tersar Troma Nagmo Ngondro Retreat: May 28–June 4

Troma Schedule and Text list
Texts are available at Dharma Treasures, and the following are available as digital downloads:

Troma Notes

Troma Collection Tibetan Only

Troma Daily Practice with Concise Severance

 The “Sole Mother” or Troma Nagmo, the Black Wrathful Dakini, is one of the most profound termas (treasures) revealed by Trakthung Dudjom Lingpa. This cycle represents the union of method and incisive knowledge as it  combines the heart of sutra practice, the Prajnaparamita and the essence of tantra, the mahamudra chod, as the quintessential method of the Secret Heart Essence cycle of the Great Perfection. Chod, or Severance, is the practice  that directly severs the root of suffering, self-fixation, with exceptionally expedient wisdom methods. In fact the teachings on Chod were one of the final teachings that Kyabje Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche gave at Pema Osel  Ling during which time he elaborated upon the meaning of the four evil forces or maras that undermine the progress of a dharma practitioner. It is well known that through the Troma Nagmo cycle of practice thirteen of Dudjom  Lingpa’s disciples attained the rainbow body and it is predicted that many more will continue to do so for three generations to come.

 This year, at the request of Lama Sonam, the Troma summer retreat will be lead by Sangye Khandro, a disciple of Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche and Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche. Sangye studied Troma under the guidance of  Kyabje Rinpoche who oversaw her progress as she underwent a series of retreats to accomplish the prerequisites of the practice. Hence Troma has become her principle practice and she has translated several of the important  termas that illuminate this path. One of them is the Chod commentary written at the request of the Terton by Pema Lungthog Gyatso entitled Dudjom Lingpa’s Chod, An Ambrosia Ocean of Sublime Explanations. This commentary  gives a word-for-word explanation of the root terma, Heart Essence of Saraha. Pema Lungthog Gyatso was the Terton’s dharma custodian and his commentary gives an exhaustive description of the entire path of Chod with a  special emphasis upon the preliminary practices. Sangye will teach from this commentary and everyone joining the retreat is requested to acquire this new translation as it will greatly enhance the understanding of every aspect of  the practice.

 By doing this retreat, you will receive a thorough and practical grounding in the practices that comprise the Tröma ngondro, and will gain familiarity with the chöd (or severance) practice of the Four Feasts as well as the concise  and medium length Tröma sadhanas .


  Sangye Khandro has been a student of Buddhism since 1971 and a translator of the Dharma since 1976. She has helped to establish numerous centers in the USA and has served as translator for many prominent masters in all four lineages. Sangye has been the spiritual companion of the Venerable Gyatrul Rinpoche for nearly forty years and has continued to help serve the centers established by her root teacher, Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche, with whom she studied and practiced for many years. In 1999, Sangye founded the Light of Berotsana Translation Group and continues within that context to translate classical texts of the Tibetan Buddhist literary tradition. Sangye’s main practice is Chöd and she has been leading the Tröma Nagmo Chöd retreats at Tashi Choling and Orgyen Dorje Den over the past several years. For a more extensive bio, please click here

Dorje Drolod:June 6-14

June 6 – Empowerment with Lama Pema Dorje Rinpoche 3-5 PM
June 7-8 – Practice and Teachings on Dorje Drolod with Lama Pema Dorje Rinpoche 
June 9-14 – Dorje Drolod Practice

Dorje Drolod is the innermost secret and wrathful form of Guru Rinpoche, and among Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche’s treasures, it is particularly appropriate for these degenerate times, when practitioners’ are easily led astray from the path and beset by confusion and demonic influences. It is a powerful method for annihilating these influences leading us to increased compassion, faith, devotion and sincere practice.


Lama Pema Dorje Rinpoche is a very experienced yogi and keeps pure samayas. He watches over disciples carefully and has fulfilled the wishes of serious practitioners. For those who are really interested in Nyigmapa tradition, teachings, and practice, to be able to spend time with Rinpoche is very beneficial. For Rinpoche's extraordinary biography, please click here.