|
DRIKUNG DZOGCHEN COMMUNITY VERMONT
| | |
Overcoming Degenerate Times
a retreat with
DRUPON THINLEY NINGPO
| |
AUGUST 1-3, 2026
Lincoln, Vermont and Online
| | |
Kalachakra Wheel of Time
Empowerment /Transmissions
| |
Union of Dzogchen & Mahamudra
Essence Practice Instructions
| |
Significance of Kalachakra
in Degenerate Times
| | |
The Kālacakra is unique among the major tantras in speaking directly to our era: it was taught for the kingdom of Shambhala, foretells an age of degeneration, and promises the dharma's renewal beyond it. The empowerment plants the seeds for rebirth in Shambhala — a refuge when the outer world fails. No other cycle addresses degenerate times so directly.
The retreat will include the transmission of the Six Branches of Yoga (sbyor drug) of the Coemergent Kālacakra — the profound completion-stage path that transforms the winds and mind into the path of awakening. Drupön previously gave the practice instructions for these yogas at the DDCV; these precious teachings are now being digitalized and will be shared as recordings with registered participants after the retreat.
| | |
Union of Dzogchen & Mahamudra
Essence Practice Instructions
Realizing Mind's True Nature
| | These teachings come from the essence instructions of Rinchen Phuntsok (1509–1557), one of the most important Drikung lineage holders, who held equally the Kagyu and Nyingma teachings. His Vajra Songs unite Mahāmudrā and Dzogchen in a single stream of direct instruction — pointing to the one nature of mind that both traditions reveal. For many of these songs, this will be the first time they have ever been taught in the West. | | |
Drupon Thinley Nyingpo Rinpoche was born in the Nagchu district of Tibet. From his youth, Drupon-la was marked by a loving and compassionate nature and an active concern for the welfare of others. After early years as a teacher and student of veterinary medicine, he entered Drong Ngur Monastery, where he studied the full range of Drikung traditions under Lama Khedrub Siddhi Rinpoche and directed the construction of the monastery's main stupa. On pilgrimage to Drikung Thil Monastery, he met the great yogin Drubwang Pachung Rinpoche, from whom he received the essence instructions of the peerless Mahāmudrā.
In 1988 he escaped Tibet on a two-month journey on foot across the Himalayas to India, where he completed the full monastic curriculum and served six years as dean of a Drikung Kagyu institute. He then accomplished the traditional three-year retreat, completing the Fivefold Mahāmudrā and the Six Yogas of Nāropa, and received the entire body of Drikung Kagyu empowerments, transmissions, and instructions — earning the title Drupon, 'master of spiritual attainment.'
Drupon-la later came to America as Spiritual Director and Retreat Master of the Tibetan Meditation Center in Frederick, MD. With the blessing of HH Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang, he relocated to Florida in 2012, where he has established a center for study, practice, and retreat. He is known for his kindness, practical wisdom, and rare ability to understand the needs of Western students.
| |
Registration & Retreat Details
| Transmissions & Teachings | |
SATURDAY AUGUST 1
9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Kalachakra Empowerment
2:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Six Yogas Completion Stage Transmission and Teachings
SUNDAY - MONDAY, AUGUST 1-2
9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
2:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Both Days
Mahamudra & Dzogchen
Essence Practice Instructions
| |
We will livestream all retreat session on both Zoom and Youtube. Recordings will be available after each session at no extra charge.
Registered attendees will receive an email with links to access our livestream and recordings one day prior to the retreat.
| |
Advance registration is recommended, especially for in-person attendance.
You may register for this event online by clicking on the "Register Now" button below. We are always available and pleased to offer assistance if you have questions about anything regarding the retreat.
Please feel free to contact us if:
- You have questions about registration;
- You have questions about the teachings;
- You need assistance with accommodations or travel;
- You prefer to complete registration offline, or via email;
- Anything else, really!
We always love to hear from you!
Email: ddcv@gmavt.net
Phone: 802-349-7778
| |
SUGGESTED DONATION
$180 In-Person | $160 Online
OUR DHARMA ACCESS POLICY
DDCV has always sought to make dharma teachings accessible to everyone. We believe that practice is the highest offering. No one will ever be turned away for financial reasons.
To facilitate this, we offer several supported and free registration levels. These may be selected directly from our online registration form. You do not need to apply.
If you would like to make donations over time, or otherwise connect with us about making a donation in a way that works for you, please feel free to contact us.
Email: ddcv@gmavt.net
Phone: 802-349-7778
HOW TO DONATE
There are several ways to make a retreat offering:
-
You may donate with a credit card or PayPal account through our online registration system;
-
You may donate directly via PayPal by clicking here or logging into your PayPal account and sending to us at ddcv@gmavt.net;
- You may send a check made out to DDCV to: 210 Robinson Rd, Lincoln, VT 05443
As always, please feel free to contact us with any questions. We truly appreciate your support.
Email: ddcv@gmavt.net
Phone: 802-349-7778
| |
Location & Accommodations
| |
We are privileged to be to be able to host this event at Sunray Peace Village, a very special and sacred retreat land in Lincoln, Vermont.
Nestled in Vermont’s Green Mountains at the foot of Mount Abraham, near the headwaters of the New Haven River, Sunray Peace Village is located on a 27-acre sanctuary featuring many sacred sites, including a Peace Stupa, White Tara Shrine, Ksitigarbha statues, Clan Pole, Sacred Arbor, Moon Arbor, and a meditation labyrinth. Sunray Peace Village is recognized by many traditions as a place of natural beauty and spiritual power.
Sunray Peace Village
2202 Downingsville Rd
Lincoln, VT 05443
Directions
| On Site Camping at Sunray | |
JOIN THE GREAT DHARMA ENCAMPMENT!
During the warmer months, Sunray offers a variety of wonderful on-site accommodation options, including 35 campsites and 4 glamping tents, with rates ranging from $26–$40 per night. These spaces fill up quickly, so we encourage you to contact Sunray soon if you are interested in staying on site.
For more information or to reserve accommodations at Sunray, please visit Sunray's camping information page.
| |
Limited housing with local community members is available for $25/night. Please contact us to arrange community housing: ddcv@gmavt.net or 802-349-7778.
For a list of local inns and other lodging resources, please visit our website.
As always, if you need help with anything, please don't hesitate to contact us at ddcv@gmavt.net or 802-349-7778.
| | |
Who was Gyalwang Rinchen Phuntsok?
| | |
Rinchen Phuntsok (1509–1557) was one of the greatest masters in the history of the Drikung Kagyu lineage. Ascending the throne of Drikung Thil Monastery at a young age, he became renowned for holding the Kagyu and Nyingma teachings equally — uniting the Mahāmudrā of his own lineage with the Dzogchen of the Great Perfection in a single stream of realization. In 1538, at the sacred site of Terdrom, he revealed the treasure cycle known as the Gongpa Yangzab, 'The Most Profound Enlightened Intent,' which remains a living practice tradition in the Drikung lineage to this day.
A visionary, treasure revealer, and poet of realization, Rinchen Phuntsok expressed his awakening in spontaneous vajra songs that point directly to the nature of mind. His influence shaped the Drikung tradition for centuries, and his essence instructions continue to be transmitted from the sixteenth century to the present.
| |
DRIKUNG DZOGCHEN COMMUNITY VERMONT
Celebrating 25 Years of Dharma, 2001 - 2026
ddcv@gmavt.net | ddcv.com
| | | | |
