Announcements Issue
Volume 14, Number 2 / April 2014
Letter from the Editors
Several New Upcoming Webcasts
Dear Friends,
We are happy to announce five new free live webcasts to be given by Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche over the next few months. There will be two in April, one in May and two in June. More
Recent March Webcast on Raising Your Windhorse–Good Fortune for the New Year
Celebrating Both Old and New!
On March 2, 2014, Tenzin Rinpoche marked the start of the Tibetan New Year, Losar, by giving a live webcast across the Internet and world, describing the traditional Tibetan practice of raising one's personal power and good fortune, or lung-ta. More
Upcoming Live Webcasts with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
April 9 Webcast on ‘Awakening the Luminous Mind’ to be Streamed from Yogaville in Virginia
Mark your calendar for these upcoming webcasts with Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche. More
Registration for Buddhism & Science Conference, Other Retreats Opens Soon
Register Early!
Registration opens soon for Ligmincha Institute's annual Buddhism & Science Conference, Fall Retreat and other upcoming retreats. Register early! More
Summer Retreat to Include Days of Silence
Deepen Your Practice
Everyone is warmly invited to attend this summer's retreat on the topic of "The Twenty-One Nails, Part 2." Each week of the retreat, set for June 22–July 12, 2014, will include days of silence to help deepen your practice.
During each week of the retreat, periods of silence will be observed starting Monday at 6 p.m., continuing all day Tuesday and ending Wednesday at lunchtime. Participants at last winter's retreat (the first silent retreat offered at Serenity Ridge) appreciated the opportunity that an atmosphere of respectful silence provides to help integrate practice into every moment of the day.
Early registration for the summer retreat ends May 8; save $75 off each week if you register by then.
Join in Summer Work Retreat
The Week of June 15–21, 2014
Join us at Serenity Ridge for Ligmincha Institute's annual Summer Work Retreat, set for June 15–21.
This is a wonderful time to share with the sangha and to be of joyful service. Each day of the work retreat includes vigorous work periods, daily meditation practice, and plenty of time for a swim in the pool or a walk along the Rockfish River. Participants are provided with free air-conditioned accommodations in the Garuda House and meals.
The one-week work retreat precedes this year's three-week Annual Summer Retreat on the topic of "The Twenty-One Nails, Part 2," scheduled for June 22–July 12. Those who participate in the full week of the work retreat will receive a 50 percent discount toward one week of the summer retreat cost (rooms are additional).
2014 Summer Fundraising Auction Reminder
This Year’s Auction Takes Place During First Week of Summer Retreat
We are looking forward to the annual summer fundraising auction to be held this year on Friday, June 27, 2014, during the first week of the Summer Retreat. It is an important public fundraising event for Ligmincha Institute and is essential to furthering Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche's vision for Ligmincha Institute at Serenity Ridge. More information will be coming soon with details about the auction.
There is still time to help by donating auction items. Please email the
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or mail your donated items to:
Ligmincha Institute at Serenity Ridge
554 Drumheller Lane
Shipman, VA 22971
If you are unable attend the auction in person and would like to make a donation, click here.
GlideWing Workshop Begins May 10
‘Achieving Great Bliss through Pure Awareness’
The next GlideWing online workshop with Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, "Tibetan Meditation: The Nature of Mind—Achieving Great Bliss through Pure Awareness," will be held May 10–June 1, 2014. Learn and practice from your own home, at your own schedule, with personal guidance from Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche. This ancient Tibetan Meditation practice teaches you to enter the state of pure awareness that leads to peace, joy and, ultimately, to self-realization and enlightenment.
Learn more and view introductory video
Register
Ligmincha Learning to Offer New Internet Course on the Three Heart Mantras
Details Coming Soon!
A new course on the Three Heart Mantras will be offered in late spring or early summer; check the Ligmincha website for more details as they become available.
Ligmincha's Internship Program at Serenity Ridge
Looking for New Candidates to Start As Early As May
Serenity Ridge Retreat Center would like to announce the expansion of its internship program and is looking for new interns to work onsite at Serenity Ridge as early as May 2014. More
Photos of Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche Shared on Facebook
Young Goat Liberated from Slaughter
View a group of wonderful photographs of H.E. Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche, taken at Triten Norbutse Monastery and other places. More
New Bon Stupa in Mexico
Consecration Ceremony Held on March 22 & 23, 2014
The new Bon Stupa is in the town of Lerdo, Durango (near Torreon, Mexico). Its purpose is to bring peace to the region and all sentient beings who reside there. The recent consecration ceremony was held on March 22 and 23. Emaho! More
‘Becoming a Geshe’
Visit Sangha Member Raven Cypress Wood’s Website on Yungdrung Bon
Ligmincha's Facebook page recently shared Raven Cypress Wood's article, "Becoming a Geshe" about the ancient traditions of Yungdrung Bon in Tibet, featured on her blog, "Nine Ways." This blog website developed from her interest in sharing More
Congratulations to First Graduates!
European Three Doors Academy
Congratulations to the first class of graduates of Europe's Three Doors Academy! The Three Doors Academy in Europe met for their final retreat in Germany with their teachers John Jackson and Raven Lee. Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche joined the group especially for this graduation ceremony. More
Ligmincha Research Director’s Presentation on Chod
Featured on Rice University’s Website
Alejandro Chaoul-Reich, Director of Research for Ligmincha Institute, recently gave a presentation at Rice University based on his book, Chod Practice in the Bon Tradition.
Ale, who received his Ph.D. in Tibetan religions at Rice University, is currently More
Latest Spanish Translation of VOCL
View February Issue
View Spanish translation of the February 2014 issue of Voice of Clear Light
Upcoming Events
Ligmincha’s Serenity Ridge Retreat Center
The retreats described below will take place at Serenity Ridge, Ligmincha Institute’s retreat center in Nelson County, Va. To register or for more information, click on the links below, or contact us at or 434-263-6304.
April 11-13, 2014
Spring Retreat—Winds of Change: Discovering the Healing Power of Mind and Prana
with Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
Learn more and register
May 3-4, 2014
Awakening the Sacred Body
with John Jackson
Learn more and register
May 21-25, 2014
Divination in the Bon Buddhist Tradition
with Geshe Nyima Kunchap
Learn more and register
June 22-July 12, 2014
Summer Retreat—The Twenty-One Nails, Part 2
with Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
This teaching is among the innermost secret cycles of Tibetan Bon Buddhist dzogchen, directly cutting through doubts about one's natural state by tracing the nature of mind back to its source. Join us for one, two or three weeks! All are welcome.
Learn more and register
Oct. 7-9, 2014
Special Conference—New Dialogs Between Buddhism and Science
with Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche and Renowned Researchers
Learn more and register
Registration opens April 15.
Oct. 10-12, 2014
Fall Retreat—The Healing Power of Primordial Awareness
with Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
Learn more and register
Registration opens April 17.
Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 2014
Special Retreat—Topic TBA
with H.E. Menri Lopon Trinley Nyima Rinpoche
Learn more and register
Registration open April 17.
Dec. 27, 2014-Jan. 1, 2015
Winter Retreat—The Experiential Transmission of Zhang Zhung, Part 1: Ngondro
with Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
This is the first in a five-part series—to be held over the next five years—of special Bon Buddhist dzogchen teachings based on the ancient Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyu texts. Part 1: Ngondro is a prerequisite for further study of the Experiential Transmission series.
Learn more
Registration opens April 22.
View all 2014 retreats. To register for any of the above retreats, or for more information about teachings in the Bon Buddhist tradition of Tibet, please contact us at