Intensive Mahamudra Retreat
May 12-13, 2007
With Venerable Drubpon Samten Rinpoche
Vail, CO
The Great Seal (Sanskrit. Mahamudra; Tibetan. pyhag chen) is recognized among the greatest and yet accessible practices in the higher schools of Buddha Dharma. It is the irrefutable direct cognition of one’s Buddha nature (Sanskrit. Tathagatagarbha). Although, the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism emphases on this practice, one finds direct and derivative practices of the Mahamudra tradition in all schools of Tibetan Buddhism including Gelug and Sakya (and among esoteric schools of Buddhism in China and Japan).
This weekend intensive retreat served as an excellent way for all levels of students/practitioners of Buddha Dharma to familiarize themselves thoroughly with the stages of Mahamudra, ground up.
Our wonderful guide for this retreat was Drubpon Samten Rinpoche born in Lamayuru, Laddakh, India. At the age of six, he entered the Drikung Kagyu Monastery. He studied with many accomplished teachers for many years and successfully completed the Three Year Retreat and the Six Yogas of Naropa in one of the strictest settings.
Most recently he appeared in the documentary, “The Yogis of Tibet” dedicated to the preservation of this rare contemplative life and tradition.