SCHEDULE

The Summer Institute will begin in the evening on Tuesday July 7, 2026
and will conclude on Tuesday August 4, 2026.

Travel/vacations days: Thursday July 16, Sunday July 26 and Wednesday August 5.

SESSION 1
July 7 – July 15

  • Main teaching by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
  • Afternoon Mahamudra courses for qualified students
    • Mahamudra Shamatha begins
    • Mahamudra Vipashyana-I begins
    • Mahamudra Vipashyana-II (Session 1 only)
  • Beginning of:
    • Shedra courses
    • Tibetan language courses
    • Onsite enrichment activities
    • Community Meditation

To take any of the afternoon Mahamudra courses, fill out an eligibility application when registration opens in March.

SESSION 2
July 17 – July 25

  • Main Teaching by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche tentatively for part of this session, and by Acharya Lama Tenpa for the other part of the session
  • Afternoon Mahamudra courses for qualified students
    • Continuation of Mahamudra Shamatha
    • Continuation of Mahamudra Vipashyana-I
    • Mahamudra Enhancement (Session 2 only)
  • Continuation of:
    • Shedra
    • Tibetan language
    • Onsite enrichment activities
    • Community Meditation

If you are starting the Summer Institute with Session 2 take note: Mahamudra shamatha and vipashyana-I start in Session 1 and continue through the end of Session 2, so unless you have previously taken those courses you need to also register for Session 1 to take those in Session 2. If you plan to arrive onsite at the beginning of Session 2, you can start with Session 1 online. 

SESSION 3
July 27 – August 4

Silent Mahamudra Retreat
led by Acharya Lama Tenpa Gyaltsen

  • 9 days of silent Mahamudra meditation
  • 1 talk per day by Lama Tenpa
  • Onsite only

Those who attend Mahamudra Shamatha, Vipashyana or Enhancement during Sessions 1 and 2 or have taken these courses as Nitartha Institute previously are eligible to attend Session 3. If you have not but have received Mahamudra teachings from other Mahamudra teachers in real-time you might qualify to attend Session 3. Eligibility applications will be available in March.

Arrival and Departure Dates:

 Arrival Day

Session 1
Tuesday July 7
Check-in 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Orientation 4:30 pm
Dinner 5:30 pm
Program starts at 6:30 pm

Session 2
Thursday July 26
Check-in 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Orientation 4:30 pm
Dinner 5:30 pm

Session 3
Monday July 27
Check-in 4-5 pm
Dinner 5:30 pm

 Departure Day

Session 1
Thursday July 16
8:30 am

Session 2
Monday July 27
8:30 am
Session 3
Wednesday August 4
8:30am

For an idea of what each day of Sessions 1 and 2 will be like, click here for the daily schedule.