Each year Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche teaches a series of public courses, ranging from the introductory to the advanced, as part of Mangala Shri Bhuti’s core curriculum. These annual teaching programs offer students a rare education and opportunity to explore and deepen their understanding of the buddhadharma. Rinpoche is especially skilled in presenting the traditional teachings with keen emphasis on how to integrate the meaning and the words into our personal experience and modern daily life. In addition to teaching MSB’s core curriculum, Rinpoche travels throughout the world offering his support to different centers and communities, guiding students wherever there is the passion to learn. Visit Rinpoche’s teachings schedule if you would like to know more.

Below are an outline of MSB’s core curriculum, information on Dungse Jampal Norbu’s and Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel’s teaching schedules, access to teaching events taking place at MSB City Centers, and an overview of the Practice Programs of MSB.

MSB’s Core Curriculum

The Nyingma Summer Seminar, MSB’s main study and practice program, is held in Colorado over a nine-day period each July. It is an introduction to the essential views of the Three Yanas of Tibetan Buddhism — Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana — with transmission, commentary and discussion on a different text each year during the Mahayana section. The Ngondro Retreat takes place each year in December/January in Vermont. This teaching and transmission program lays the foundation for Vajrayana practice with an explanation of the ngondro, or preliminary practices, based on Patrul Rinpoche’s keystone text, The Words of My Perfect Teacher. The MSB Shedra occurs over two weekends every September, in Colorado. This program develops students’ understanding of essential Buddhist philosophy through the study of classical texts of the sutra tradition, upon which the Vajrayana views are based. Source of Mahamudra takes place the first weekend in September, in Vermont. This program examines a variety of essential points of Vajrayana or Dzogchen view and practice. Rinpoche teaches from a different Vajrayana text each year.

Dungse Jampal Norbu’s Programs

Kongtrul Rinpoche’s son and Dharma Heir offers several yearly programs at Phuntsok Choling, Pema Osel, and MSB City Centers in the U.S and abroad. He leads the annual Illustrious Moon summer camp for children aged 10-16 in Colorado, and teaches an introductory dharma program in Vermont for young people, but open to all age groups. Dungse la’s anecdotal style and curiosity about how Buddhism relates to actual experience imbue his teachings with a first-hand perspective, and reveal his natural wisdom and infectious humor. Please visit Dungse la’s teaching schedule for a complete listing of his programs.

Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel’s Programs

After meeting Rinpoche in Nepal in 1986, Elizabeth became his first Western student. As a seasoned practitioner and dharma teacher, she brings a refreshing perspective to even the most familiar topics, and clarifies issues that are often taken for granted, such as devotion and so-called “beliefs.” Elizabeth offers her own set of programs at Phuntsok Choling, Pema Osel, and MSB City Centers, and also travels widely each year to various centers throughout the world. Please visit Elizabeth’s teaching schedule for a complete listing of her programs.

Mangalam Dharma Center Programs

Kongtrul Rinpoche, Dungse la, and Elizabeth each offer teaching programs hosted by MSB’s Mangalam Dharma Centers, in various cities in the U.S. and abroad. To find a complete schedule of events and contact information for these various Mangalam Dharma Groups, please visit the Mangalam Center Programs page.

MSB Practice Programs

We conduct three sangha practice retreats each year: the Rigdzin Dupa drupcho in February and the Dechen Gyalmo drupcho in October or November, both at Phuntsok Choling in Colorado, and the Mahayoga Sadhana retreat at Pema Osel in Vermont in August. These programs are only open to official MSB members. Please contact Bob Reid or Joey Waxman if you want more information on how to become an MSB member. Taken together, all these teaching and practice programs establish a broad and deep foundation of Buddhist knowledge and practice, particularly that of the Longchen Nyingtik lineage. If you have further questions about the programs offered though MSB, please write to the MSB Secretary.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION The Buddhist teachings recognize that all beings without exception have buddha nature. On that basis, Mangala Shri Bhuti welcomes people of all races, ethnicities, religions, ages, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities to attend our programs.