The Vajrayana Preliminary Practices:

Sacred World, Samaya, Visualization, and Prostrations

WMC Vajrayana Group*

Thursdays 7-9:00 PM

Oct. 9 & 16, Nov. 6 & 20, Dec. 4 & 18, 2025, Jan. 8 & 22, Feb. 5, 2026 (9 Classes)

Meets online via Zoom only

Led by Gene Bobker and Tom Pantaleoni

This is a vajrayana study course. We will explore talks that Chögyam Trungpa, Rinpoche, as well as other teachers, gave to new tantrikas beginning their prostration practice. These classes will explore subjects that are foundational to our understanding of the Vajrayana path, such as renunciation, devotion and samaya, as well as how the Hinayana and Mahayana paths are integral to the Tantric path. The course will include practical instructions for those embarking on ngöndro, or the Preliminary Practices.

The reading material for this course comes from the Vajradhatu Ngöndro Manual as well as the Mahamudra Ngöndro Sourcebook. The readings provide an overview of how the Preliminary Practices work, the view that Rinpoche suggested a practitioner should adopt, as well as how to deal with the many obstacles that Ngöndro generally brings up. Inspiration and practicality.

Classes will be led by Gene Bobker and Tom Pantaleoni. Zoom links will be provided.

*Prerequisites: Open to ngöndro students of the Vidyadhara, including those who have received pointing out transmission from his recognized heirs since his parinirvana.