Ri Cho Mountain Retreat: Extracting the Essence of Accomplishment (S04) DVDs

© 2002-2003 Lama Tharchin Rinpoche, © 2018 Lama Tharchin Rinpoche Heritage Foundation & Heart Teachings by Lama Tharchin Rinpoche

Format: 6 DVDs; Also available as mp4 video & mp3 audio files

Recorded at Rinpoche’s residence, Fern Flat, Aptos, California; 2002-2003

Language: Rinpoche teaches in English

Lama Tharchin Rinpoche teaches on Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche's text: “Ri Chö: Extracting the Essence of Accomplishment – Instructions on Mountain Retreat, the Heart of Practice, Explained in a Way that is Easy to Understand” by Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche, translated by Sarah Schneider Plazas (Bero Jeydren Publications, 2013)

Lama Tharchin Rinpoche: “Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche gave us this precious essential advice generally on how to do retreat, from beginning, to middle, to end. While retreat can mean devoting ourselves solely to a particular spiritual practice for a specific period of time, retreat can also mean our whole life. These perfect instructions show us how to begin practice, how to continue our practice, and how to conclude our lives completely integrated with the Dharma, maintaining it continually until reaching enlightenment.
 
This Mountain Retreat is in the tradition of upadesha (pith instructions). The entire essence of the Buddhadharma coalesces in just a few vajra words from Kyabje Rinpoche’s realization. It is like the great adept Jigme Lingpa said, he doesn’t have the patience to wait three eons to attain enlightenment. Rather, just remain in rigpa, the ultimate true Buddha that is within our essence of mind, which is brilliant, luminous, present awareness. Recognize that perfect view, maintain that awareness through meditation, and integrate the view and meditation in action. This kind of awakening isn’t based on time or on developing gradually, but rather realization is instantaneous. This is Kyabje Rinpoche’s approach with these supreme upadesha teachings. For myself, if I read a hundred thousand Dharma books or just this Mountain Retreat, this one is more effective for me.
 
Also, my personal connection to this text is very special. Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche directly gave us this instruction while I was in a three-year retreat at Lama Ling Rigdzin Gatshal Drubdra in Kongpo, Tibet. Since I received this instruction in my early twenties, it has been so special and essential for my personal practice. It is the text I return to again and again for advice on how to fully integrate my life with the Dharma.”

Sent to subscribers: October 2002-March 2003; and in updated format April-September 2018; Available to the Public April 2020