Courses 2021/2022


09-11.07.2021 Chod Retreat

Course Instructors:
Lama Kunga

Course Schedule:
Begins: Friday, July 9th at 7 PM (dinner starts at 5:30 PM)
Ends: Sunday, July 11th after lunch

Course Fee:
150 euros [includes all meals and accommodation]

The practice of Chöd is taught by all Tibetan Buddhist schools. It is an extremely effective method for cutting the tight net of ego fixation that binds us to the endlessly turning wheel of suffering. The key point of this ‘cutting-through practice’ is bringing deluded mind directly to its inherent pure nature, by recognizing it as equivalent to the enlightened state of the ‘Great Mother Prajnaparamita’.

Through training in the method known as ‘Opening the Door to the Sky’ we experience a state beyond duality and intellectualisation synonymous with Mahamudra. Simultaneously we develop limitless, impartial generosity free from ego-clinging.


23-25.07.2021 Milarepa Guruyoga Retreat

Course Instructor:
Lama Kunga Dorje

Course schedule:
Begins: Friday, July 23d at 7 PM (dinner at 5:30 PM)
Ends: Sunday, July 25th after lunch

Course fee:
150 Euros [includes all meals and accommodation]

Jetsun Milarepa had committed serious crimes in his youth and killed with black magic a large part of his family, and he was seized by a desperate remorse. He was looking for a teacher who could show him the way to get rid of the entanglement of the never-ending cycle of existence, and found him in his teacher Marpa.
Marpa treated Milarepa with unimaginable severity before giving Milarepa the meditation instructions he desired. By unwavering faith in his teacher and the great energy with which he gave himself in his practice, Milarepa succeeded in acquiring enlightenment in one lifetime. He is famous for his spontaneous poetic songs in which he gave expression to his profound teachings.

Prayer of serious commitment by Jetsun Milarepa

Son of the lineage of Lord Naropa’s path of liberation,
please bless this beggar that he stay in mountain retreats.
Do not be swayed by the demon of worldly distractions
but deepen meditative concentration.
Without getting caught in clinging to Shamatas pond
May the flower of Vipashyana blossom
Unaffected and untroubled by stress and tension,
Let the foliage of simplicity unfold.
Without the slightest discord in my Retreat
Let the fruit reach maturity – experience and realization.
With the demons family powerless to hinder it,
may I gain final certainty to understand my mind.
On the way of skillful means, unclouded by doubt
may the son find his way in the footsteps of his father.
Blessed and compassionate, essence of Akshobhya,
please bless this beggar to remain in mountain retreats.


12-15.08.2021 Nyung Ne Retreat

Course Instructor:
Lama Kunga Dorje

Course schedule:
Begins: Thursday, August 12th at 7 PM (dinner at 5:30 PM)
Ends: Sunday, August 15th after lunch

Mahayana vows will be given on Friday morning, 7 AM. Therefore, participants have to arrive on Thursday evening in order to attend the retreat.

Course fee:
180 Euros [includes all meals and accommodation]

The Nyung-Ne practice is a fasting ritual with great purification potential, which is widely practiced in Tibetan Buddhism, also amongst lay practitioners.

This practice of the 1000-armed Avalokitesvara was introduced by Gelongma Palmo. She was born around the 10th century as a princess in an Indian empire located in today’s Kashmir region. Instead of living a life in luxury she decided to become ordained during early adulthood. She studied dharma sincerely and deeply, and therefore her teacher soon appointed her as abbot of a monastic community.

Not long after this, she developed leprosy, which worsened more and more. She lost her fingers and her feet, so she could not hide her condition any longer and was forced to leave her monastic community. Despite of her misfortune, she did not loose her faith in dharma. She was deeply motivated to achieve bodhicitta, and soon she had a vision of the 1000-armed Avalokiteshvara. For many years she performed his practice, which involved fasting and keeping silence, and finally she was cured of her leprosy.


27-29.08.2021 Shine and Lhaktong Retreat

Course Instructor:
Lama Kunga Dorje

Course schedule:
Begins: Friday, August 27th at 7 PM (dinner at 5:30 PM)
Ends: Sunday, August 29th after lunch

Course fee:
150 Euros [includes all meals and accommodation]

Shine and Lhagtong

Shamatha, or as it is called in Tibetan, Shine, is the most fundamental and indispensible form of meditation in Buddhism.
On the way to recognizing the ‘true nature of mind which is deep, calm, simple and clear’ there have arisen many different contemplative techniques since the time of Shakyamuni Buddha 2500 years ago. But all of them begin with this very basic method for thoroughly quieting the mind and bringing about real tranquility.
The stable foundation provided by Shamatha or tranquility meditation, and the insight into the emptiness of all phenomena gained by Vipashyana, is the basis for all further developments we can achieve in our practices, whether they be Tonglen, Creation and Completion or Mahamudra/Dzogchen.
Indeed it can be said that no progress can be made without these first fundamental techniques of meditation. This is because the practice of Shamatha meditation is the first crucial step in quieting the mind’s tendency to jump from one thought to another, and to reveal the clarity of one’s own mind. Thus, our mind becomes a perfect tool for observing its own nature, enabling us the insight which will finally lead to a profound transformation of our whole being.


17-19.09.2021 Chod Retreat

Course Instructors:
Lama Kunga

Course Schedule:
Begins: Friday, September 17th at 7 PM (dinner starts at 5:30 PM)
Ends: Sunday, September 19th after lunch

Course Fee:
150 euros [includes all meals and accommodation]

The practice of Chöd is taught by all Tibetan Buddhist schools. It is an extremely effective method for cutting the tight net of ego fixation that binds us to the endlessly turning wheel of suffering. The key point of this ‘cutting-through practice’ is bringing deluded mind directly to its inherent pure nature, by recognizing it as equivalent to the enlightened state of the ‘Great Mother Prajnaparamita’.

Through training in the method known as ‘Opening the Door to the Sky’ we experience a state beyond duality and intellectualisation synonymous with Mahamudra. Simultaneously we develop limitless, impartial generosity free from ego-clinging.


01-03.10.2021 Ngondro Retreat

Course Instructor:
Lama Kunga Dorje

Course schedule:
Begins: Friday, October 1st at 7 PM (dinner starts 5:30 PM)
Ends: Sunday, October 3rd after lunch

Course fee:
150 Euros [includes all meals and accommodation]

Ngondro is a series of practices for deep purification of the practitioner in preparation for the general Vajrayāna practice, for Mahamudra and for Dzogchen practices. It entails the „Four Thoughts That Turn the Mind“ as common preliminaries, followed by the uncommon preliminaries with going for refuge, prostrations and developing bodhicitta, the Vajrasattva hundred-syllable mantra, mandala offering and guruyoga. Through this practice, karmic hindrances of body, speech and mind stemming from negative deeds are purified that would otherwise block the path to enlightenment.


05-07.11.2021 Milarepa Guruyoga Retreat

Course Instructor:
Lama Kunga Dorje

Course schedule:
Begins: Friday, November 05th at 7 PM (dinner at 5:30 PM)
Ends: Sunday, November 07th after lunch

Course fee:
150 Euros [includes all meals and accommodation]
For wire transfer of the course costs please state the name of the participant as well as the course number (11.02)

Jetsun Milarepa had committed serious crimes in his youth and killed with black magic a large part of his family, and he was seized by a desperate remorse. He was looking for a teacher who could show him the way to get rid of the entanglement of the never-ending cycle of existence, and found him in his teacher Marpa.
Marpa treated Milarepa with unimaginable severity before giving Milarepa the meditation instructions he desired. By unwavering faith in his teacher and the great energy with which he gave himself in his practice, Milarepa succeeded in acquiring enlightenment in one lifetime. He is famous for his spontaneous poetic songs in which he gave expression to his profound teachings.

Prayer of serious commitment by Jetsun Milarepa

Son of the lineage of Lord Naropa’s path of liberation,
please bless this beggar that he stay in mountain retreats.
Do not be swayed by the demon of worldly distractions
but deepen meditative concentration.
Without getting caught in clinging to Shamatas pond
May the flower of Vipashyana blossom
Unaffected and untroubled by stress and tension,
Let the foliage of simplicity unfold.
Without the slightest discord in my Retreat
Let the fruit reach maturity – experience and realization.
With the demons family powerless to hinder it,
may I gain final certainty to understand my mind.
On the way of skillful means, unclouded by doubt
may the son find his way in the footsteps of his father.
Blessed and compassionate, essence of Akshobhya,
please bless this beggar to remain in mountain retreats.


14.11.21 Zoom – Medizinbuddha Practice

Course Instructor:
Lama Kunga Dorje

Course schedule:
Begins: Sunday, 14.11.21 at 10 AM

Registration is not necessary. The participation is free. If you would like to make a donation for your participation, please transfer to the following account, stating „Donation“ as a reason for transfer:

Tibetisch-Buddhistische Religionsgemeinschaft
Kreissparkasse Köln
IBAN: DE 72 3705 0299 0018 0061 97
BIC (Swift): COKSDE 33

Zoom-Meeting details:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3509248982?pwd=QWhZYXIvUzU1YmRVYk9pWkhWNFIwQT09

Meeting-ID: 350 924 8982
Course code: Halscheid

While still training on the bodhisattva path, the medicine buddha took the vow that by hearing his name the sentient beings will be healed from their illnesses. Since every physical and mental disease is ultimately caused by the three mental poisons greed, hatred and ignorance, the practice of the medicine buddha can not only heal diseases, but also lead us on the path of liberation. Through his practice we pray for the healing activity of his deep blue light for ourselves as well as for other beings of the six realms.


19-21.11.2021 Green Tara Retreat

Course Instructors:
Lama Kunga

Course Schedule:
Begins: Friday, November 19th at 7 PM (dinner starts at 5:30 PM)
Ends: Sunday, November 21st after lunch

Course Fee:
150 euros [includes all meals and accommodation]
For wire transfer of the course costs please state the name of the participant as well as the course number (11.01)

The Tibetan name for Tara, Drölma, literally means savioress, protectress. The activity of Green Tara protects and frees us from our fears, fears of outer dangers as well as the corresponding mental afflictions that bind us to the sufferings of cyclic existence. She is said to be very swift in her activity, like a loving mother who cannot bear the cry of her suffering child, she will immediately come for our aid. Her 21 emanations represent different aspects of her enlightened activity.

Perhaps one of the most well known and beloved of tantric deities, her practice is common to all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Like here in Halscheid, Green Tara is part of the daily practices at countless monasteries and centers around the world.


19.12.21 Zoom – Chenrezig Practice – Love and Compassion for the 6 Realms

Course Instructor:
Lama Kunga Dorje

Course schedule:
Begins: Sunday, 19.12.21 at 10 AM

Registration is not necessary. The participation is free. If you would like to make a donation for your participation, please transfer to the following account, stating „Donation“ as a reason for transfer:

Tibetisch-Buddhistische Religionsgemeinschaft
Kreissparkasse Köln
IBAN: DE 72 3705 0299 0018 0061 97
BIC (Swift): COKSDE 33

Zoom-Meeting Details:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3509248982?pwd=QWhZYXIvUzU1YmRVYk9pWkhWNFIwQT09

Meeting-ID: 350 924 8982
Course code: Halscheid

Chenrezig embodies the compassion of all the buddhas. He manifests within the six realms of existence according to the needs of beings, to free them from their suffering. The six syllables of his mantra close the doors to the reincarnation in one of the six realms of samsara:

OM closes the door to the suffering of decline in the god realm, which is caused by pride
MA closes the door to the suffering of quarrel and fight in the realm of the semigods, which is caused by jealousy
NI closes the door to the suffering of constant busyness in the human realm, which is caused by desire and doubt
PAD closes the door to the suffering of helplessness, of being hunted and abused in the animal realm, caused by ignorance and stupidity
ME closes the door to the suffering of unsatiable hunger and thurst in the realm of the hungry ghosts, which is caused by greed
HUM closes the door to the suffering of cold and heat in the hell realm, caused by anger and


26.12.21-01.01.22 Amitabha Retreat with Bardo Puja

Course Instructors:
Lama Kunga

Course Schedule:
Begins: Sunday, December 26th, 2020, at 7 PM (dinner starts at 5:30 PM)
Ends: Saturday, January 1st, 2021, after lunch

Course Fee:
240 euros [includes all meals and accommodation]
For wire transfer of the course costs please state the name of the participant as well as the course number (12.01)

To spend the time at the turn of the year in a meaningful way for us as well as for others, we will meet again this holiday season for our annual Amitabha Retreat.

Amitabha Buddha is the meditation deity associated with the divine realm of Sukhavati (tib: Dewachen). He is called “Buddha of Limitless Light”, because his activity permeates all clouded states of our being and clears away all suffering.

By doing Amithaba practice – reciting mantras, prayers and practising the sadhana – we can support those who have departed this life on their further path, clear away states of suffering in ourselves and others, and help to create an auspicious compassionate foundation for the coming year. Those of us who have lost someone dear can dedicate the positive merit of the retreat to them, as well as to all other sentient beings.

For those who have passed away in the course of the past year, there will be a special ‘bardo puja’ on the 31st of December. On the morning of New Years Day we will celebrate the beginning of the year with an auspicious ‘Ribosang,’ a smoke offering ritual for happiness and world peace.

If you would like to have deceased persons or animals be included in the prayers and the practice, you can send us the names to include in our list.


25.02.-03.03.22 Great Mahakala Puja and Losar Festivities

Course Instructor:
Lama Kunga Dorje

Course schedule:
Begins: Friday, 25th February at 4:30 PM
Ends: Thursday, 3d March after lunch

Course fee:
240 Euros [includes all meals and accommodation]

Losar is the Tibetan New Year, a time of auspicious beginnings.
Traditionally this holiday is preceded with a four-day celebration of the longer version of the Mahakala puja. Through the purifying and pacifying powers of the chief Dharma Protector of the Kagyu order, we clear away the negativities of the past year and pray for good luck and the removal of any obstacles in the new.

Mahakala is the wrathful form of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of compassion; he provides support for the auspicious development of dharma activities, dharma centers and dharma practitioners everywhere. A short version of the Mahakala puja is one of the daily practices in the Halscheid Retreat Center.

The long Mahakala practice phase starts on Friday Februar 25th at 4.30 pm and ends on March 1st with the burning of the tuntor and a traditional oracle soup in the evening.
We begin celebrating Losar on the March 2nd at 10 AM with a fire offering puja for the happiness and peace of all sentient beings in the world. We close the evening with a meditation on Avalokiteshvara.
We finish the festivities on Thursday, March 3d with butter tea and saffron rice and then a delicious Losar lunch, enjoying each other’s smiles and best wishes for a happy and joyous Metal Mouse year.


14-18.04.22 Easter Retreat Konchog Chidu – Guru Rinpoche Practice

Course Instructor:
Lama Kunga Dorje

Course schedule:
Starts: Thursday April 14th, 2019 at 7 PM
Ends: Monday April 18th, 2019 after lunch

Course fee:
200 Euro [includes all meals and accommodation]

The Guru Rinpoche Practice „Konchog Chidu“ („The Essence of the Three Jewels„), is a Terma text (treasure text) discovered by the great Terton (treasure finder) Rigdzin Jatson Nyingpo. It has extraordinary power to remove any kind of hindrance.

The special blessing of this sadhana is described in the „Prayer which Radiates the Light of Blessing„, a prayer of devotion to Guru Rinpoche:

„… However – in this degenerate time (these teachings) are a jewel that is poised on the head of a poisonous snake. If I, in these unclear and dark times, make a heartfelt promise with strong longing that stirs the depths of the vajra samaya of the deities of the Three Jewels and the Three Roots, then the extraordinary power of the Lamas – the Holders of the Three Kinds of Transmission, the Yidams and the multitude of the Dakinis, and the ocean of Dharma protectors, as well as through the power of the unchangeable, the truth, the nature and independence of phenomena – will allow the richness of the essential teachings to shine brightly, as the sun and moon bring light into the darkness, and bring to an end the darkening of unjustified attacks. May their victory secure this tradition of deep truth!
The excellent tradition, transmitted by Orgyen Rinpoche and the wisdom holders, has power over the three worlds and subdues the three kinds of existence. It is universally victorious and transgresses all appearances of phenomena. May it spread everywhere!“


02-06.06.2022 Milarepa Guruyoga Retreat

Course Instructor:
Lama Kunga Dorje

Course schedule:
Begins: Thursday, June 2nd, at 7 PM (dinner at 5:30 PM)
Ends: Monday, June 6th, after lunch

Course fee:
150 Euros [includes all meals and accommodation]

Jetsun Milarepa had committed serious crimes in his youth and killed with black magic a large part of his family, and he was seized by a desperate remorse. He was looking for a teacher who could show him the way to get rid of the entanglement of the never-ending cycle of existence, and found him in his teacher Marpa.
Marpa treated Milarepa with unimaginable severity before giving Milarepa the meditation instructions he desired. By unwavering faith in his teacher and the great energy with which he gave himself in his practice, Milarepa succeeded in acquiring enlightenment in one lifetime. He is famous for his spontaneous poetic songs in which he gave expression to his profound teachings.

Prayer of serious commitment by Jetsun Milarepa

Son of the lineage of Lord Naropa’s path of liberation,
please bless this beggar that he stay in mountain retreats.
Do not be swayed by the demon of worldly distractions
but deepen meditative concentration.
Without getting caught in clinging to Shamatas pond
May the flower of Vipashyana blossom
Unaffected and untroubled by stress and tension,
Let the foliage of simplicity unfold.
Without the slightest discord in my Retreat
Let the fruit reach maturity – experience and realization.
With the demons family powerless to hinder it,
may I gain final certainty to understand my mind.
On the way of skillful means, unclouded by doubt
may the son find his way in the footsteps of his father.
Blessed and compassionate, essence of Akshobhya,
please bless this beggar to remain in mountain retreats.