Gentle compassion, known as bodhicitta, is at the heart of the Mahayana tradition. “The Great Compassionate One” is a multifaceted sadhana practice that came down as a treasure text (gTer) to Adzom Paylo Rinpoche on Potu Island in 2014. This island is regarded as the traditional home of Kuan Yin/Avalokiteshvara, and Lama Rigzin was present there on that day. She heard Rinpoche describe the event with these words: “I have received the complete Dzogchen teachings of Avalokiteshvara.”

In June 2025, Lama Rigzin taught the opening verses at Ganden Chökhor in the Swiss mountains. These verses illuminate the entire practice, together with the rich formal sadhana: meeting Avalokiteshvara’s heart and one’s own, and working with the four special activities (las tshogs), which bring the nourishing flow of tender love into every part of a practitioner’s being. Next year, from 23 to 28 June 2026, we will return to Ganden Chökhor and continue into the next section with a brief review of these parts.

The practice also includes tsog. Adzom Paylo Rinpoche once said that tsog contains the deepest secrets of a practice. In addition, Lama Rigzin will teach the very special and rare “liberation through hearing” (thos grol), based on an oral commentary from Rinpoche.

During the final days, familiarity with the practice will be deepened through four sessions per day. Everyone is welcome. However, those who have not received the first part of the practice are encouraged to register for a recording of the 2025 teaching, with expert German translation by Claudia Webinger, or to order the teaching in English only from the Dawn Mountain Retreat 2022.

Those who register for the upcoming 2026 course will receive a substantial discount on both recordings.

At the June 2025 teaching, Adzom Rinpoche was asked what he would recommend as a focus for older students who have completed ngondro and other completion practices. His answer was simple: practice my treasure, the Great Compassionate One.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, you are warmly invited to attend in person and experience the full support of a group heart. For those who cannot come, the retreat will also be available online.

For beginners

If you are joining the 2026 course for the first time, a prerequisite is that you have listened to or watched the instructions from the 2025 course at Ganden Chökhor. To do this, you can register for streaming access. Your email address and address will then be recorded. After that, please send an email requesting permission to view Lama Rigzin Drölma’s teachings, noting that you are registered for the 2026 course.

You must then register for the 2026 course itself, either in person or online. These two steps must be linked: registration for the 2026 course and registration for streaming access to the 2025 course. Once completed, you will be able to watch the 2025 videos by Lama Rigzin Drölma.

The dana/payment for the 2025 online video course can be handed to Lama Rigzin Drölma in person, in an envelope, as dana and as an expression of your gratitude. The cost is between CHF 100 and 150.

Events in Churwalden