Chenrezi: Boundless and Essential Heart of Bodhicitta

The tender compassion of bodhicitta is the heart of the entire Mahayana tradition. The Great Compassionate One is a multi-faceted sadhana practice that descended as a Treasure (gTer) to Adzom Paylo Rinpoche on Potu Island in 2014. This is the traditional home of Kuan Yin/Avalokiteshvara, and Lama Rigzin was present on the island that day to hear Rinpoche describe the event as follows: “I have received the full Dzogchen Teachings of Avalokiteshvara”

In June 2025 in Ganden Chökhor in the Swiss mountains, Lama Rigzin taught the opening verses of the practice; these  illuminate the entire field of the practice, as well as the rich formal sadhana—getting to know Avalokiteshvara’s heart and one’s own—and the four special activities (las tshogs) which bring the nourishing flow of tender love through every part of a practitioner’s being.

Next year, again in Ganden Chökhor, from 23 – 28 June 2026, after briefly reviewing these sections, we will focus on the Tshog— Adzom Paylo Rinpoche once said that Tsog holds the deepest secrets of a practice. Lama Rigzin Drolma will also teach the very special, and rare, Hearing Liberation (thos grol) with reference to a special oral commentary from Rinpoche himself. The closing days will be a formal accomplishment practice of four sessions daily to deepen familiarity with the entire practice.

Everyone is welcome. We do highly recommend however that if you have not received the first part of the practice you sign up for a recording of the 2025 teaching, with expert translation into German by our beloved Claudia Webinger, or the English-Only teaching from Dawn Mountain’s 2022 retreat.  You will receive a substantial discount on either of these recordings after registering for the Ganden 2026 course. If you are interested in accessing the 2025 teachings, please contact stream@ganden.ch.

In June 2025, Rinpoche was asked what he would recommend as a focus for those senior students who have completed Ngondro and other accomplishment practices. His response: Practice my Treasure, The Great Compassionate One.

Whether beginner or advanced practitioner, please come in person for the full experience of a group heart supporting your own. For those who cannot, the retreat will also be available online.