On October 24th, about two-hundred practitioners arrived in Oberlethe, Germany for a five-day drubchö of the Profound Sadhana of the Mindrolling Vajrasattva, also known as Minling Dorsem. This first Mahasangha gathering was the culmination of a longstanding collective aspiration of the Mindrolling sangha from all over the world, to meet and practice this most profound sadhana together. Her Eminence Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche described it as hundreds of rivulets that gather into one ocean.
The worldwide sangha who gathered for this most auspicious occasion were blessed with the presence of Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche, Minling Sangyum Kushog, Jetsün Kushog, Dungse Rinpoche, Jetsün Rinpoche, Ven. Tulku Ngawang Jigdral Kunga Rinpoche, Ven. Tulku Dakpa Rinpoche, Ven. Lama Thinley Gyaltsen, Ven. Löpon Namdrol la, Ven. Lama Riga la, Anila Choenyid and many other monks, nuns and resident teachers of the International Mindrolling Sangha.

It is said that when even a word of Dharma is spoken and heard, its benefit is infinite and all pervasive. So to be able to perform this most profound and precious practice together was an immeasurably excellent and fortunate opportunity.

For the various Mindrolling study groups around the world, having studied and practiced the profound Minling Dorsem cycle of teachings for many years now, the Mahasangha Retreat was a precious opportunity to apply these teachings. It provided an opportunity to bind all that we have studied over many years into a cohesive, collective practice and behold the finer aspects of practicing a sadhana. Newer students of Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche also appreciated the opportunity to practice intensively along with the senior members of the sangha.

This was an extremely joyful opportunity for all of us, members of the international sangha, to express gratitude to our peerlessly kind and patient teacher, Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche. We are infinitely grateful to Rinpoche for continually guiding and training us and entrusting us with the supreme jewel of the Mindrolling lineage—the Ati Zabdön Teachings and the Glorious Heart Practice of Vajrasattva.

The drubchö began with a profound empowerment and teaching from Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche, who reminded everyone present that this auspicious gathering afforded a wonderful and precious opportunity to live life for five days as sacred mantrayana practitioners—to steep our minds in the view and know that this is a time where view and actions match and confidence replaces doubt.

It was a source of great merit and benefit for all. This year’s Mahasangha gathering was the first in a series of retreats in the coming years, which will allow the worldwide sangha to come together regularly to deepen their practice of the Ati Zabdon cycle of teachings in the form of intensive retreat practice.