In 1962 Bhante received the Padmasambhava abhisheka from Venerable Kachu Rinpoche. Shortly afterwards he found in the Kalimpong bazaar the Tibetan text of the Tharpe Delam or Smooth Road to Emancipation. Kachu Rinpoche instructed Bhante in the practices contained within it. Among them is a wonderful Guru Yoga.

Guru Yoga involves transforming ourselves into the archetypal disciple Vajrayogini, and then invoking the adhisthana of our teacher, Padmasambhava, the Thousand-armed Avalokiteshvara and Amitabha. It is an intensely devotional wisdom practice, which culminates in merging with the Guru and dissolving into the light of Great Bliss. On this Order retreat, Padmavajra will introduce and lead the practice. Throughout the day we will perform this Guru Yoga, ending each day with celebratory pujas invoking the precious Gurus.

O my own Immediate Sri Lama Rinpoche,
Abiding within the lotus of my heart,
May you never separate from me,
But, on the contrary, remain inseparable….
The Smooth Road to Emancipation

Banner and thumbnail image: cropped painting by Aloka ©

Details and Timings

The retreat starts with dinner on the first day at 6:30pm and finishes on the final day at around 10.15 am.