Upcoming Event Details

Blazing Wisdom 🔥
Yamāntaka Retreat

March 20–23, 2026
Sunray Peace Village, Lincoln, Vermont

In times of confusion and spiritual degeneration, fierce wisdom and compassion are needed. Within the Drikung Kagyu lineage, this special form of Yamāntaka is regarded as the supreme and unrivaled practice for degenerate times.

This powerful transmission entered the lineage through the Dharma Lord Gyalwang Rinchen Phuntsok in the 16th century and helped preserve the living wisdom of the Dharma during times of great upheaval. Today, its blessings continue to strengthen practitioners worldwide.

A Rare Opportunity In 2001, His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche brought Lopon Thupten Nima Rinpoche to the West to establish the special Drikung Yamāntaka Drupchens. Without Lopon Rinpoche’s dedicated efforts, this transmission in the West would not have been possible. This retreat offers a precious opportunity to receive pith instructions on how to engage in Yamāntaka as a daily practice — outside the context of drupchen retreats. These teachings and personal instructions have never before been offered in the West. For those with a karmic connection to this practice, this retreat is not to be missed.

Teaching Location:
Sunray Peace Village
2202 Downingsville Rd
Lincoln, VT 05443
Directions

Nestled in Vermont’s Green Mountains at the foot of Mount Abraham and near the headwaters of the New Haven River, Sunray Peace Village is recognized by many traditions as a place of natural beauty and spiritual power.

Registration:
Suggested Donation: $175
Advance registration is recommended,
especially for in-person attendance.
Scholarships and work-study are available —
No one will be turned away for financial reasons.
For those registering for online retreat a
zoom link will be sent one week before the retreat

To register:
📧 Email: ddcv@gmavt.net
📞 Call: 802-349-7778
Checks payable to DDCV and mailed to:
210 Robinson Rd
Lincoln, VT 05443
PayPal: ddcv@gmavt.net
Credit Card
Updates for this event will be posted at
www.DDCV.com

Housing Options:
Inexpensive housing for $25 per night with local
community members also available.
Other Local Housing
For housing assistance:
ddcv@gmavt.net | 802-349-7778

Ven. Lama Thupten Nima
Supreme Master of the Drikung Yamāntaka Tradition
Venerable Lama Thupten Nima is widely regarded as one of the foremost living masters of the Drikung Yamāntaka tradition and one of the most important holders of this transmission within the Drikung Kagyu lineage today.

Born in 1965 during the years of political upheaval associated with the Cultural Revolution, he began training at a young age under extraordinary circumstances. At fourteen, he received essential instructions on virtue and karma from the great yogi Tamga and completed the four hundred thousand preliminary accumulations according to the Yangzab terma.

Coming from a family historically connected with Gar Monastery, Lama Thupten Nima made great effort to return there, where he received refuge from His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche. He later received full monastic ordination and the Bodhisattva vows from the great siddha Karma Norbu and was formally admitted into the monastery.

At Gar Monastery he undertook extensive training in the ritual traditions of both the Old and New Schools of tantra. He was selected for advanced instruction by the renowned chanting master Yong Tar and trained in the Eight Heruka Sadhanas, Vajrakilaya, Embodiment of the Masters’ Realization, Essence of Great Bliss, and other profound cycles. He served as chant master for three years and disciplinarian for four years.

He received Dzogchen Trekchö and Tögal from Khenpo Munsel Rinpoche, the complete cycle of Drikung Kagyu protectors and higher and lower tantras from His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche, and the Kilaya teachings from Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok. At Drigung Thil he received the Fivefold Mahamudra and other profound transmissions of the lineage.

Most significantly, Lama Thupten Nima became a principal holder and exponent of the special Drikung Yamāntaka tradition — the very cycle that safeguarded the lineage during times of great danger. He reestablished the Yamāntaka Great Accomplishment (Drupchen) at Tseri Monastery after decades of interruption and has since dedicated his life to preserving and transmitting this powerful practice.

In 2001, His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche brought Lama Thupten Nima to the West specifically to establish the Drikung Yamāntaka Drupchens in America. Without his leadership, training, and ritual mastery, this transmission would not have taken root in the West.

In recognition of his extraordinary contribution to preserving the tantric traditions of the lineage — and particularly the Yamāntaka and Vajrakilaya cycles — His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche formally appointed him as a Vajra Master of the Drikung lineage in 2019.

Lama Thupten Nima continues to lead major Yamāntaka and Vajrakilaya Drupchens, train practitioners in their proper performance, and transmit the pith instructions necessary to engage these profound practices correctly and effectively.

Today, he stands as one of the foremost living Yamāntaka masters in the Drikung lineage.

Rinpoches Center in Los Angeles Drikung Rinchen Choling
A Yamantaka Teaching from HE Garchen Rinpoche •
YouTube Yamantaka Teaching •
Drikung Yamantaka Facebook Page •