The Preliminary Practices of the Incomparable Drikung Kagyu, also known as Ngondro, are an essential aspect of most Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Lord Jigten Sumgon, the founder of the Drikung Kagyu lineage said, " The Ngondro is even more important than the higher practices." One must truly understand the simple yet profound foundation teachings before one begins the higher teachings. One must first be fully convinced of the "four thoughts that turn the mind away from samsara," the common preliminaries. Then one practices the uncommon preliminaries, the Vajrayana Ngondro, which contains Refuge, Vajrasattva, Mandala Offering, Guru Yoga, and Bodhicitta in order to purify the negative karma and obscurations of body, spech, and mind, and to accumulate merit.
It is very important and beneficial for those who utilize these sacred practices to have the empowerments, reading transmissions, and oral instructions on how to do them. These can be received from a spiritual teacher who holds the transmissions for these empowerments and teachings. To fully benefit, dispel any obstacles, and receive the blessings of these practices, it is highly recommended that the aforementioned are first obtained.
112 pages.
