Refuge, Bodhicitta and Dedication
The path to liberation
Every Vajrayana practice and teaching session starts with a refuge and bodhicitta prayer—the desire to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings, and that all beings find happiness—and ends with a dedication of any benefit of the session to the liberation of all beings.
Why is this so important? In Vajrayana Buddhism, taking refuge is the gateway into the liberation from suffering. In this one-hour teaching, Lama Döndrup discusses in detail the types of increasingly subtle levels of refuge—outer, inner, secret and ultimate – and the role of the lama, of yidam practice, the subtle body and the mind.
In addition, Lama Döndrup explains the difference between relative and ultimate bodhicitta and the basic, steady presence that is fundamental to the development of bodhicitta.
And how in closing with a dedication, we are moving from the accumulation of merit—the repeated acts of turning toward our buddha nature, to wisdom and awakening—the realization of our interdependence with all beings.
This talk was given in a Dharma Training Program daylong. For more information about the program, click here.
Your Instructor
Lama Döndrup is the Resident Lama of Sukhasiddhi Foundation overseeing the curriculum and offerings at Sukhasiddhi in collaboration with the lamas and dharma leaders on the teachers council. She has practiced and studied in the Buddhist tradition for over twenty five years. After five years of Theravadin Buddhist training, she immersed herself in the teachings and practices of the Shangpa and Kagyu Vajrayana lineages. In 2005, she completed a traditional three-year retreat and was authorized as a lama. Upon her return to Marin County, she began teaching classes and leading meditations at Sukhasiddhi Foundation, and in 2020 was authorized by Lama Palden Drolma as Resident Lama. Lama Döndrup is honored to guide students through all stages of the spiritual journey; helping them to feel confident in their own understanding of practices and teachings; and supporting the natural unfolding of their innate wisdom and compassion. In addition to her Buddhist training, Lama Döndrup trained in the Diamond Approach for seven years and has a Masters of Fine Arts degree in piano performance.