2026 Event Gallery
Long Life Event and Celebration of H.E. Garchen Rinpoche’s 90th Birthdaya
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08 – 12 April 2026
IN-PERSON @ Garchen Buddhist Institute (GBI) & ONLINE
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130 participants from worldwide including the monastics and the DDSC team attending the special 4-day Namgyalma Retreat at Garchen Buddhist Institute and celebrating beloved Garchen Rinpoche’s 90th birthday.
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DRIKUNG NGONDRO RETREAT OF 4 UNCOMMON PRELIMINARIESa
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28 – 29 March 2026
IN-PERSON @ DDSC & ZOOM Online
led Khenmo Tsechik and Lopön Gamtso (English Translation by Ina Bieler)
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…The four Ngondro preliminary practices of the Five-Fold Path of Mahamudra are:
- The Practice of Taking Refuge (prostrations with recitations),
- Practice of Vajrasattva Meditation and Recitation for Purification,
- Offering the Noble Mandala the Special Method for Perfecting the Two Accumulations,
- The Guru Yoga that Brings the Blessings of the Lineage
…The pre-requisite for the Ngondro practices is the Four Turnings of the Mind to the Dharma teachings. Ones must fully practice the four ways of turning the mind, then ones practices the four extraordinary foundations of Vajrayana Ngondro to purify negative karma and obscurations of the mind, speech and body and to develop virtues.
…The founder to the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, Lord Jigten Sumgon stated, “Ngondro is even more important than the higher practices. The Ngondro teachings and practices are the most profound. This is the root of Dharma, which is like the foundation of a house.”
…The Gong Chig says, “Other practices are not profound, and these are profound. This is the root of Dharma, which is like the foundation of a house. It is important for certainty to arise in one’s stream of being, which will not happen merely through the lama’s teaching and the student’s listening.”
…It has also been said that sincerely practicing only Ngondro will lead to enlightenment since all mind training techniques leading to enlightenment are included within it!
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RETREAT SCHEDULE
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28 – 29 MAR, 10AM – 12PM EDT: Drikung Ngondro LUNG Transmission & Teachings
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28 – 29 MAR, 2PM – 5PM EDT: Guided Ngondro Practices
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SUGGESTED DONATION: $50 / person (lunch included)
Your donations are deeply and gratefully appreciated, as they will be used to help operate and sustain the Center for the benefit of all beings.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED AT:
4th ANNUAL TRADITIONAL 4-NYUNGNE (8 Days) RETREAT
24 February – 04 March 2026 (Month of Miracles)
IN-PERSON @ DDSC IN-PERSON with Lama Bunima with Khenmo Tsechik and Lopön Ani Gamtso
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…This 8-day Nyungne Retreat will be held after LOSAR Tibetan New Year during the very auspicious Month of Miracles.
…The period starting from the 1st day until 15th (Full Moon) day of this LOSAR month is known as Chotrul Düchen, commemorating the anniversary of Buddha Shakyamuni performing various miracles in Shravasti each day to instill devotion faith in the Buddha Dharma and increase merit among heretics.
…The anniversary (March 02) of Jetsun Milarepa, the most beloved yogi and the forefather of the Kagyu lineage revered for his inspirational life story and profound songs of realization, auspiciously coincides with Chotrul Duchen.
…This time period is considered extremely auspicious for dharma practice – the results of any virtuous activities on each of the 15 days are increased 100 million times!a
Video Clip of 4th Annual Traditional 8 day Nyungne Retreat @ DDSC, 24 Feb to 04 Mar 2026
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RETREAT SCHEDULE
- 1st Nyungne, starts Feb 24, ends Feb 26: 9AM – 6:30PM EST (1st Day); 9AM – 5PM EST (2nd Day)
End of 1st Nyungne, Feb 26: 8AM – 8:30AM EST - 2nd Nyungne, starts Feb 26, ends Feb 28: 9AM – 6:30PM EST (1st Day); 9AM – 5PM EST (2nd Day)
End of 2nd Nyungne, Feb 28: 8AM – 8:30AM EST - 3rd Nyungne, starts Feb 28, ends Mar 02: 9AM – 6:30PM EST (1st Day); 9AM – 5PM EST (2nd Day)
End of 3rd Nyungne, Mar 02: 8AM – 8:30AM EST - 4th Nyungne, starts Mar 02, ends Mar 04: 9AM – 6:30PM EST (1st Day); 9AM – 5PM EST (2nd Day)
Retreat Conclusion, Mar 04: 8AM – 10AM EST
Each Nyungne session is a complete whole. Participants can take part in one, several or four Nyungne sessions. In each Nyungne session, Lunch @12:30 – 2PM EST on 1st day; Fasting on 2nd day ’till 8AM on following day.
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The practice involves maintaining strict 8 Mahayana Precepts vow and meditating while reciting mantras and prayers, and performing prostrations and visualizations. Undertaken in sets of two days, the first day includes one vegetarian meal at noon, drinking water throughout the day as needed. The second day is a complete fast performed in noble silence.
The practice involves maintaining strict 8 Mahayana Precepts vow and meditating while reciting mantras and prayers, and performing prostrations and visualizations. Undertaken in sets of two days, the first day includes one vegetarian meal at noon, drinking water throughout the day as needed. The second day is a complete fast performed in noble silence.
The Nyungne is renowned as a superior means to purify negative karma and accumulate great merit. It is said that completing even one Nyungne prevents rebirth in the lower realms, and the practice of eight consecutive Nyungne leads to birth in Buddha Amitabha’s Pure Land of Dewachen.
H.E. Garchen Rinpoche has given this specific message regarding the Nyungne practice series: “Geshe Ngawang Phuntsok Rinpoche said: ‘The Nyungne ritual is simple but has great benefits.’ As said in The Benefits of the Mahayana Sojong Vows, ‘Completing this practice even just once, one could take rebirth in the human or god realm; one could gain a precious human body that leads to temporary happiness and, ultimately, to enlightenment.’ Lama Bu Nima attended the first Nyungne I led in Gargon in 1982, and he has done many more since. He continues to conduct this practice in the traditional way. And now he is responsible for leading this monthly Nyungne retreat.”
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Suggested Donation: $40 / person / each Nyungne session OR $160 / person / all 4 Nyungne sessions.
Your donations are deeply and gratefully appreciated, as they will be used to help operate and sustain the Center for the benefit of all beings.
Registration required at:
Please specify which Nyungne #, 1 or several, or all 4 sessions that you register to attend. The temple can also then plan for vegetarian lunch for everyone.
Please contact DDSC at drikungdharmasuryainc@gmail.com if you are out of town participant for the entire in-person retreat and look for accommodation.
LOSAR 2026 NEW YEAR CELEBRATION
17 – 18 FEBRUARY & 20 – 21 – 22 FEBRUARY 2026
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@ DDSC IN-PERSON with Khenpo Samdup Rinpoche, Khenmo Tsechik and Lopön Ani Gamtso
@ ONLINE ZOOM with International Sangha
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***Tuesday & Wednesday, 17 – 18 February, 10AM – 12:30PM EST: Practices / Puja / Smoke Offerings
Buddha Sakyamuni / Chöd / Fortune Buddha Dzambhala Practices, Achi Chökyi Drolma Smoke Offerings with New Year Blessings
*** Friday, 20 February, 9AM – 12:30PM EST: Practices / Puja / Smoke Offerings / Prayers Flags Raising
Buddha Sakyamuni / Chöd / Fortune Buddha Dzambhala Practices, Achi Chökyi Drolma Smoke Offerings with New Year Blessings, Prayers Flags Raising Ceremony & Wei Sang Smoke Offering
*** Saturday & Sunday, 21 – 22 February, 10AM – 12:30PM EST: Practices / Puja / Smoke Offerings
Buddha Sakyamuni / Chöd / Fortune Buddha Dzambhala Practices, Achi Chökyi Drolma Smoke Offerings with New Year Blessings
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Video Clip of 2026 LUNAR / LOSAR Year of the Horse @ DDSC
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Video Clip of 2026 LOSAR @ DDSC, 20 FEB 2026 – Sangsol Smoke Offerings & Wesang Prayer Flags Raising
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YEAR-END PURIFICATION & REMOVAL OF OBSTACLES for Coming New Year
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16 FEBRUARY 2025 @ 6PM EST (Auspicious Dharma Protector Day)
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@ DDSC IN-PERSON with Khenpo Samdup Rinpoche, Khenmo Tsechik and Lopön Ani Gamtso
@ ONLINE ZOOM with International Sangha
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…Purifying and sweeping away the stains, obstacles, negative karma and bad luck of the old year, going into a New Year with a purified “clean slate”, is an important LOSAR New Year practice in Buddhism.
…This is a pivotal period of purification, preparation, and transition – to be followed by renewal and new, pure beginnings in the LOSAR New Year, during which Heart Sutra chanting, Chöd practice based on “Perfection of Wisdom” sutra, and Solka Dharmapala prayers are essential for practitioners to pacify obstacles of the outer and inner that hinder their spiritual progress and the attainment of realization.
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Video Clip of Year-End Purification Prayers @ DDSC, 16 JAN 2026
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*** 16 FEB 2026, @ 6PM EST: Practices / Prayers / Smoke Offerings / Teaching
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Heart Sutra Chanting
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Chöd Practice
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Solka Dharmapala (Dharma Protectors) Practice
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Short Teaching
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*** Dinner with Tibetan Traditional Soup Guthuk Feast @ DDSC Temple
(purify all negativities and sickness from body)
CHÖD “Cutting Through” IN-PERSON RETREAT
17 – 18 JANUARY 2026
IN-PERSON ONLY @ DDSC Temple
led by Special Guest Chöd Master Yeshe Lama with Khenmo Tsechik and Lopön Ani Gamtso
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*In this In-Person Chöd Retreat, you will have the opportunity to have:a
* Yeshe Lama, a prominent teacher within the Garchen Buddhist Institute, specifically known for his expertise in Chöd, will lead the Chöd Retreat at DDSC. Originally from Tibet, he has taught for many years in Taiwan and currently serves as a lead instructor for significant annual events alongside H.E. Garchen Rinpoche.
* Receive Chöd LUNG transmission and teachings from the profound Chöd teaching of Lord Jigten Sumgon, “The Method of Accumulating Merit by Practitioners (Kushalay Tshog Chod).
* Engage in directly guided profound practice that enables practitioners to become free of clinging to false notions including fears, illnesses, and difficult emotions. That gives rise to the awareness of the empty nature of afflictive emotions, when fear, fixation, and self-clinging are cut through.
* Receive direct instructions on how to play the Chöd drum, bell and kangling.
* Learn the singing melodies and integrate the visualizations within the practice.
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Video Clip of In-Person Chod Retreat @ DDSC, 17 – 18 JAN 2026
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Retreat Schedule:
*** SATURDAY & SUNDAY, 17 – 18 January, 10AM – 12 PM EST: Chöd LUNG Transmission & Teachings – Guided Chöd Practices
*** SATURDAY & SUNDAY, 17 – 18 January, 2PM – 4 PM EST: Guided Chöd Practices w/ Q & A
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Suggested Donation Fee: $50 / person / Entire Retreat
• Your donations are deeply and gratefully appreciated, as they will be used to help operate and sustain the Center for the benefit of all beings.
• You can make such donation fee during registration on Paypal or Credit Card via DDSC Donations webpage at https://drikungdharmasurya.org/donation/
Registration required at:
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drikungdharmasuryainc@gmail.com
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drikungdharmasurya.org/upcoming-events/
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Please contact DDSC at drikungdharmasuryainc@gmail.com if you are out of town participant for the entire in-person retreat and look for accommodation.
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Please bring your own Chöd drum and bell for the retreat. You can purchase them at DDSC bookstore or DDSC can lend you for use if available
GREAT DHARMA PROTECTOR ACHI CHÖKYI DROLMA EMPOWERMENT & ONE THOUSAND PUJA PRACTICES
02 – 04 JAN 2026 @ DDSC In-Person & ZOOM Worldwide
…led by Khenpo Samdup Rinpoche with Khenmo Tsechik and Lopon Gamtso
GREAT DHARMA PROTECTOR ACHI CHÖKYI DROLMA
EMPOWERMENT & ONE THOUSAND PUJA PRACTICES
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@ DDSC In-Person & ZOOM Worldwide
02 – 04 JANUARY 2026
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…to be led Khenpo Samdup Rinpoche with Khenmo Tsechik and Lopon Gamtso
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NEW YEAR 2026 PURE BEGINNINGS by SWEEPING AWAY OBSTACLES and INDUCING GROWTH in SPIRITUAL CLARITY & RESILENCE
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* Achi Chökyi Drolma is revered as the Great Dharma Protectoress of the Buddha’s teachings and practiced across Tibetan Buddhist lineages. She is an emanation of Vajrayogini, who embodies the wisdom and activities of all the buddhas. She is the divine mother of the Buddhas who manifested out of compassion in the form of the dakinis of the five Buddha families.
* Achi Chökyi Drolma is invoked to remove outer and inner obstacles, to protect from harm, and to create positive conditions for spiritual and worldly success.
* Whoever practices the sadhana of Achi Chökyi Drolma and appeals her with full devotion will be freed from all kinds of unfavorable circumstances and obstacles in this life, as well as obstacles connected with Dharma practice. Those who continue doing the practice with full faith and devotion will finally achieve the perfectly enlightened state, Buddhahood.
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Mantra of Achi Chokyi Drolma
OM MAMA TSAKRA SOHA YAR DU SARWA DU RADZA RADZA DU MAMA DU HUNG PHAT SOHA
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RETREAT SCHEDULE
* 02 JAN 2026 (Friday), 7PM – 9PM EST: Achi Chökyi Drolma Empowerment
* 03 JAN 2026 (Saturday), 9AM – 12PM, 2PM – 4PM EST: Teachings & Puja Practices
* 04 JAN 2026 (Sunday), 9AM – 12PM EST: Teachings & Puja Practices
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Registration required at:
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drikungdharmasuryainc@gmail.com
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drikungdharmasurya.org/upcoming-events/
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Suggested Donation: $40 / Person. Any donations are deeply and gratefully appreciated, as they will be used to help operate and sustain the Center for the benefit of all beings.
