Interested in starting ngondro?

If you'd like to start the foundational practices, or ngondro in Tibetan, there are a few things you'll need to get started.

 First and foremost, you'll need to get the transmissions for the ngondro practices from Mingyur , Tsoknyi Rinpoche, Khenpo Kunga, or another Tergar . These transmissions include participation in a refuge ceremony, an empowerment (usually Vajrasattva), and the reading transmission for the ngondro liturgy you will use as the basis for your practice. In the Tergar community, these transmissions are usually given at all Path of Liberation retreats, including at St. Johns and the annual winter retreat with Khenpo Kunga.

 Once you have received these transmissions, the next step is to get Mingyur Rinpoche’s Ngondro teachings. This includes Rinpoche's book on Ngondro practice and his recorded teachings, which are available in both video and audio format. Since these instructions are the main form of instruction for these practices, they are essential. You should read and watch them before beginning and review them as you do the practices. o Turning Confusion into Clarity o Ngondro DVD (Part 1) o Ngondro DVD (Part 2) o Ngondro MP3 CD (Parts 1 and 2)

 Finally, you will also need the practice texts. These include the guide for Path of Liberation I, the blue practice binder, the daily chants, and the short ngondro liturgy. Here are the links: o Guide to Path of Liberation Level I o Blue Tergar Practice Binder o Daily Chants o Nectar of the Simple Yogi (the liturgy for the Path of Liberation ngondro practice)1

1 Mingyur Rinpoche has decided that Path of Liberation students should now practice a short ngondro liturgy compiled by the Seventeenth . This new liturgy will be available in March, 2016.

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The resources provided above are essential. Here are some additional links that you might want to check out:

 The most comprehensive set of resources for the Path of Liberation is found on the Tergar online learning site (TLC).

 For further reading, you might find the Ngondro Reading List on TLC helpful.

 You might also like to read some of the selections on our Reading List for New Buddhists.

 Khenpo Kunga offers great instructions on the foundational practices in part one of Pointing Out the Dharmakaya.

 For those of you who are already practicing the Path of Liberation, you may want the Long Ngondro Liturgy (this is the one you’ll do if you choose to continue on after completing the four Path of Liberation levels).

2 | G E T T I N G S T A R T E D W I T H N G O N D R O P R A C T I C E ( V E R S I O N 1.1 )