Intensive Vajrasattva Practice with Yangsi Rinpoche

Intensive Vajrasattva practice with Yangsi Rinpoche

Next session: from July 31, 2026 at 6 PM to August 9, 2026 at 2 PM

Presentation of the retreat

Continuing the tradition of recent years, Rinpoche offers to guide us in the purification practice of Vajrasattva. One of the fundamental characteristics of karma is that it grows over time, like a seed capable of yielding a large quantity of fruit. To prevent the growth of negative imprints in our mind, it is necessary to purify it. This is the very purpose of Vajrasattva practice. The recitation of its hundred-syllable mantra, combined with the application of the four opponent powers, allows for the elimination of negative karmas accumulated through body, speech, and mind, and also for the restoration of broken vows and samayas. This intensive practice is open to all, but it is preferable to have received the Vajrasattva initiation and to complete the four daily sessions.

The teacher

Born in Kathmandu, Nepal, in 1968, Yangsi Rinpoche was recognized at the age of six as the reincarnation of Geshe Ngawang Gendun, one of Lama Yeshe’s teachers. He studied at Kopan Monastery and then at Sera Je Monastery in India where he obtained the title of Geshe Lharampa in 1995.

In 1998, driven by the wish to share the Dharma with Western students, Rinpoche traveled to the West, where he relinquished his vows, and has since offered numerous teachings across America and Europe.

He is currently the director of Maitripa Institute, a university he founded in Portland, USA.

He agreed to come each year to the Institute to guide retreats for his French students.

Conditions

Conditions for the Vajrasattva initiation: (Friday, July 31, 2026 from 8 PM to 10 PM)

Registration and advance payment are mandatory
Registration for the initiation only, without the retreat, will be possible after June 1.
This is a Mahayana tantra practice. Participants wishing to receive this initiation must meet the prerequisites below.
It is also permitted to participate without taking the initiation (simply to receive the blessing)

By registering to receive the initiation, you certify:

Having taken refuge in the Three Jewels

Having faith and devotion towards Yangsi Rinpoche

Having faith in Buddhist tantras

Having received and thoroughly understood teachings on the Stages of the Path (Lamrim)

Not being a Shugden practitioner

By receiving this initiation, you commit to:

Maintaining the bodhisattva vows for life (refraining from committing the 18 root downfalls and 46 secondary transgressions)

Respecting for life the commitments given by Yangsi Rinpoche during the initiation ritual

Conditions for the intensive Vajrasattva practice: (from Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 6 AM to Sunday, August 9, 2026 at 2 PM)

Registration and advance payment are mandatory
Registration is only open for full retreat participation. Subject to remaining availability, partial participation will be possible from June 1.

WEBCAST: The practice and teaching sessions from 10 AM to 12:30 PM with Yangsi Rinpoche will be broadcast as usual.

Schedule

First day:
- 5 PM latest arrival time
- 6 PM meal
- 8 PM Vajrasattva initiation
Following days:
- 6:30 AM – 8:00 AM practice session
- 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM practice and teachings (webcast)
- 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM practice session (unguided, self-directed)
- 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM practice session
Last day:
- 6:30 AM – 8:00 AM practice session
- 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM practice and teachings

The location

The retreat will be hosted by Institut Vajra Yogini, a Buddhist center located in a magnificent 19th century chateau in the French country-side near Toulouse.