Third year – Dzogchen Tögal (Preliminary)

Descripton: Tögal literally means “skip over,” a swift Dzogchen practice that allows one to directly perceive the pure vision of exalted body and wisdom as seen by a realized Bodhisattva. The first month comprises the exercises for the preliminary practices essential before entering the more advanced stages of Tögal. These preliminaries are foundational and aim to purify and prepare the practitioner spiritually, ensuring readiness and proper grounding for the profound teachings and practices of Tögal.

Prerequisites: Students who have completed the previous year’s retreat may attend this retreat upon receiving the appropriate empowerment, given at the beginning of the retreat by the retreat vajra master. It is not possible to arrive late and participate in this class without the empowerment.

Zen: Students completing all teachings and with proper attendance to practice sessions will be granted the traditional Nagpa zen during the final day of retreat upon approval of the Retreat Master.

Class Master: Khenpo Tenzin Norgay Rinpoche will grant the explanation of the practices.

Class Umze: Our class umzes from the 3rd year up may change from year to year. Our umze and instructor has been Lama Jigme Tenzin (also known as Lama PhurTenzin), who served as umze and instructor of the Third Year class for over 20 years. He is one of the former attendants of the late His Holiness Penor Rinpoche and travelled with him internationally as part of the monk entourage and has received many empowerments and teachings directly from His Holiness. In 2023, Lama Jigme served as umze for the 4th year (Togal 2) with Lama Tenzin Chogyal, who historically led fourth year, leading the third year.

In 2024, our umze were Lama Tsultrim Palyul and Khenpo Pema; in 2025, Lama Tsultrim served with Khenpo Karze.

Note: Class master and class lama are subject to change according to the instructions of the retreat vajra master. You will be informed of the assigned class faculty at the beginning of retreat.

From left, instructors who have led the daily 3rd year (Togal 1) practice are:
Khenpo Karze, Lama Tenzin Chogyal, Khenpo Tenzin, Lama Jigme Tenzin (PhurTenzin), Lama Tsultrim Palyul (Guru Shila)