Dongni Rinpoche (Khenpo Dondrup Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche) is from Gemang Monastery in Kham, the eastern region of Tibet. Rinpoche joined his monastery when he was 9 years old. His main guru is Pema Wangyal, and he also studied with Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, one of the foremost Nyingma teachers, and other great lamas such as Dondrup Rinpoche, Tenga Rinpoche and Yeshe Norbu. He has been the abbot of his monastery since he was 25 years old.

We'll have teachings by Rinpoche for five nights this week, starting Tuesday at 7:00 pm. On Tuesday night he'll give teachings on the Three Statements of Garab Dorje, with a commentary by Patrul Rinpoche. The Three Statements of Garab Dorje are the essence of all Dzogchen practice, and this teaching is considered very precious.

On Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 7:00 pm, Rinpoche will give teachings from a text by Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok, one of the great scholars and teachers of Dzogchen. He was also a treasure revealer or terton, and the text Rinpoche will be teaching comes from a revelation that Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok received while on a pilgrimage to Wu Tai Shan mountain. Wu Tai Shan mountain is an extremely sacred place that is the abode of Manjushri.

Rinpoche will be teaching five nights in a row because we have a translator available for the coming week, and we want to make the best use of his time. His teachings will take the place of our regular meditation and other programs next week.