Words of My Perfect Teacher

Teachings on the Ngondro of the Longchen Nyingtik

The Words of My Perfect Teacher was written in the mid-nineteenth century by Choge Patrul Rinpoche, in his retreat cave high in the mountains of Tibet. His observations about the human condition and his steadfast encouragement to spiritual practice connect with us so pointedly that it seems they could have been uttered just yesterday. While Words introduces the ngondro, a series of practices that precede the main practices of the Longchen Nyingtik lineage, such as contemplations on loving kindness and compassion, the text functions essentially as a spiritual handbook for all practitioners, one we should keep by our side if we wish to have a honest and sane relationship with our mind and life. Words expresses a realistic, and fundamentally positive, approach to impermanence, karma, suffering, and the four streams of existence that make up the human condition. This approach can be summed up in the book's simple and consistent message: take all of life's experiences as means to awaken spiritually.

Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche brings out the full import of The Words of My Perfect Teacher by weaving its teachings together with his own experiences as a practitioner. His commentary instructs us on how to take advantage of the advice contained in the text, and helps us understand more fully the meditator's perspective offered by Patrul Rinpoche, who himself received this guidance from his teacher more than twenty times.

 
 

A portion of a powerful talk from Words of My Perfect Teacher, "Openness and Receptivity: What It Takes to Be a Student of a Teacher"

The program includes a full reading transmission (Tib. lung) of The Words of My Perfect Teacher, commentary, question and answer time with Kongtrul Rinpoche, and periods of meditation.

For MSB students, full attendance in person is required before beginning the ngondro practice. Please check with your SPR for more information, or write to MSB Study and Practice for details on the practice aspects of attending this program.

If you are currently practicing ngondro, we highly recommend the Ngondro Compilation, a remarkable collection of teachings, carefully selected and compiled from over twenty years of Rinpoche's commentary on The Words of My Perfect Teacher.

Download a copy of the Daily Schedule here or from the right sidebar. All times are listed in Mountain Time Zone, USA. For more information about Phuntsok Choling, directions, and accomodations, download the PC Visitor's Guide and FAQ, also found in the right sidebar. If you have any questions about this program please write to the Phuntsok Choling Program Coordinator.

Please bring a copy of The Words of My Perfect Teacher with you to this program.