The purpose of this course is to introduce interested students to the Longchen Nyingthig Lineage, and to the Sangha and Culture of Mangala Shri Bhuti.

One emphasis of the course is readings from Paltrul Rinpoche’s classic text “Words of My Perfect Teacher.” This book is a practice manual for the Longchen Nyingthig Ngondro, or Preliminary Practices. It is a treasure of heart advice. We hope that getting familiar with the style of teachings of this classic text, and also listening to Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche’s oral commentary on the text will help interested students to understand the nature of this path and what it means to become a disciple in this lineage.

Interspersed with these teachings, the course provides more material and opportunity to discuss the different aspects of becoming a Vajrayana practitioner and a member of the Mangala Shri Bhuti Sangha.

Students taking this course are welcome to join Mangala Shri Bhuti’s Virtual Sunday Sitting and Bodhisattva Vow online practice group.

Daily Meditation

As with the previous courses, the general approach to meditation should be to focus on establishing a  consistent meditation practice. It’s advisable to do formal meditation on a daily basis, even if it’s only 10 minutes or less a day, instead of sporadically meditating for longer periods of time. You may use the Bodhisattva Vow Meditation Outline to structure your daily meditation sessions. New members of Mangala Shri Bhuti are encouraged to do morning and evening chants from the MSB Daily Chantbook.

Audio Materials:
Soundcloud Playlist
Google Drive Playlist

Reading Materials
Words of My Perfect Teacher by Patrul Rinpoche and Translated by the Padmakara Translation Group (1998 – Second/Revised Edition)
Light Comes Through, Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche
The History and Vision of Mangala Shri Bhuti  by Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche

Unit 1: Introduction to Mangala Shri Bhuti, Vajrayana, and The Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind Toward the Dharma
Vision of Mangala Shri Bhuti (Webpage)
Audio 1: Vajrayana Lineage Background (35 minutes)
Audio 2: Four Thoughts 1 (30 minutes)
Audio 3: Four Thoughts 2 (15 minutes)

Unit 2: Mission of Mangala Shri Bhuti and Four Thoughts: Precious Human Birth
Audio 4: Mission of Mangala Shri Bhuti (30 minutes)
Audio 5: Precious Human Birth 1 (10 minutes)
Audio 6: Precious Human Birth 2 (5 minutes)
Audio 7: Precious Human Birth 3 (4 minutes)
Words of My Perfect Teacher, “The Difficulty of Finding the Freedoms and Advantages”  Pgs. 19-37

Unit 3: History and Vision of Mangala Shri Bhuti and Four Thoughts: Impermanence
The History and Vision of Mangala Shri Bhuti (PDF)
Audio 8: Impermanence 1 (15 minutes)
Audio 9: Impermanence 2 (15 minutes)
Audio 10: Impermanence 3 (15 minutes)
Words of My Perfect Teacher, “The Impermanence of Life” Pgs. 39-59

Unit 4 : The Three Pillars of Mangala Shri Bhuti and Four Thoughts: Suffering of Samsara
Three Pillars of Mangala Shri Bhuti – Class Discussion
Life of Service (webpage)
Sangha Guidelines (PDF)
21 Precepts of Mangala Shri Bhuti 
Audio 11: Suffering of Samsara 1 (9 minutes)
Audio 12: Suffering of Samsara 2 (10 minutes)
Audio 13: Suffering of Samsara 3 (15 minutes)
Words of My Perfect Teacher, “The Defects of Samsara” Pgs. 61-99

Unit 5: Sangha Service and Culture, and Four Thoughts: Karma
Decorum & Etiquette Handbook (Google Document)
The Benefits of Lhaksam Service (PDF Document)
Audio 14: Karma 1 (15 minutes)
Audio 15: Karma 2 (16 minutes)
Audio 16: Karma 3 (25 minutes)
Words of My Perfect Teacher, “Actions: The Principle of Cause and Effect” Pgs. 101-131

Unit 6:Mangala Shri Bhuti Lineage Ceremony and Initiations, Devotion, and Commitments
Audio 17: Initiations (20 minutes)
Audio 18: Devotion (30 minutes)
Audio 19: Commitments (10 minutes)
Mangala Shri Bhuti Lineage Ceremony (Google Doc)

Unit 7: How to Follow a Spiritual Friend
Mangala Shri Bhuti Lineage Line (PDF Document)
Mangala Shri Bhuti Study and Practice Path
How to Follow a Spiritual Friend  – Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche (video) 1 hour 40 minutes
Light Comes Through Chapters 11 – 12 (Book)

Unit 8: Lineage and How to Follow a Spiritual Friend – Part 2
Audio 20: Vajrayana Lineage Part 1 (30 min)
Audio 21: Vajrayana Lineage Part 2 (40 min)
How to Follow a Spiritual Friend – Dungse Jampal Norbu (video) 1 hour
Words of My Perfect Teacher, “How to Follow a Spiritual Friend” Pgs. 137-166

Next Steps

SPR Interview
After completing the final unit of study for this course, please arrange to meet with your SPR, if you wish to join the Mangala Shri Bhuti Vajryana Lineage. If you’re not planning to join the Mangala Shri Bhuti Vajrayana Lineage, we still encourage you to meet with your SPR to discuss ways that you can maintain your connection with Rinpoche and Mangala Shri Bhuti as a Mahayana practitioner. 

Lineage Ceremony
Please refer to the Mangala Shri Bhuti Lineage Ceremony Overview for information on how to take part in the next Sangha Ceremony.