The Four Foundations: A Study in Ngondro
With Michael Friedman
Open Dates
Sundays at 11 a.m. | Onsite at Samye Hermitage New York
We invite you to this weekly community class held on campus each Sunday from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. This course is made available on a donation basis. While one might think of the preliminary practices of the Buddhist path — ngondro in Tibetan — as something we must accomplish to progress to the "next level," the teachings they embody are in fact the very essence of this path, and thus are better termed "foundational." From the "common outer preliminaries" of the four mind turnings to the "inner preliminaries" of taking refuge, cultivating bodhicitta, confessing, offering mandala, and engaging in…
Private Retreat
Flexible Dates
Samye Hermitage New York is a sanctuary for those who wish to deepen their practice and train their minds. We encourage serious Buddhist practitioners who are studying under the guidance of an authentic teacher to apply for private retreat. After we receive your deposit, our resident teacher will review your application and reach out directly to confirm your retreat plan. As a retreatant at our center, you can enjoy the use of our Bath House, which includes shower, toilet, and laundry facilities, as well as our Lotus Barn, which includes a kitchen, dining area, and shrine area. There is also…
Sadness, Love, Openness: The Buddhist Path to Joy
With Matthew Zalichin
October 24 - December 19, 2023
Tuesday at 6 p.m. | Online via Zoom
Our Tuesday evening class will explore the book Sadness, Love, Openness : The Buddhist Path to Joy by Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, uncle to Phakchok Rinpoche. This book provides students practical guidance for using everyday experiences and emotions as tools for developing our compassion and lessening our negativity. Tuesday classes also give attendees space to gain experience in the practice of meditation and is suitable for all backgrounds. “Warm and accessible, yet profound and insightful, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche offers compelling advice for our times. This book is a treasure of timeless wisdom that today is needed more than ever.” – Cher Class Schedule:…
The Song of Lodro Thaye
With Matthew Zalichin
October 26 - December 21, 2023
Thursdays at 7 p.m. | Online via Zoom
Our Thursday evening class will study the poem, The Song of Lodro Thaye by Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye from the Kagyu Gyurtso. Relevant to Phakchok Rinpoche’s presentation of Mahamudra this summer, this poem explains in a clear and lucid way the basics of Mahamudra in terms of ground, path, and fruition. In this class we will focus on path and gain a broader context for Phakchok Rinpoche’s teachings. This direct and clear poem will lead us to a deeper understanding of where these teachings fit within our own unique practice career. A copy of the text will be sent upon…
The Four Foundations: A Tibetan New Year’s Retreat
With Tulku Migmar Tsering and Matthew Zalichin
February 9 - 14, 2024
Onsite & Online
Celebrate an auspicious beginning of the Tibetan New Year, known as Losar, by immersing yourself in a transformative retreat designed to maximize the accumulation of merit. According to tradition, actions during these initial days are believed to carry a potency magnified a millionfold. Embark on a journey into the fundamental principles of Dharma practice, whether you choose to participate in person or online. Guided by compassionate instructors, we will delve into the Four Foundations, also referred to as the "preliminary practices" or ngondro in Tibetan. These encompass the taking of refuge and cultivating bodhicitta, engaging in confession and purification practices,…