Inborn Realization: A Commentary o His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche's Mountain Retreat Instructions

Based on the firm foundation of intellectual study and contemplation, “Mountain Retreat Instructions” (Richo) is a meditation manual that brings forth vivid realization, making the results of meditation more tangible in your experience. These teachings directly usher the realization of loving-kindness, compassion, and respect, while going beyond all ego-clinging and grasping. Throughout Buddhist history, combining intellectual study with meditation was the essential practice. In particular, Richo was very openly used in all the Practice Lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, especially the Nyingma and Kagyu schools. The teachings always mention that individuals should spend time in hermitages and go to the mountains until they stabilize their realization because there are fewer distractions. Mountain retreat means “hermitage”—it is one of the best places to make yourself strong so you are not disturbed by all the fears and habitual patterns that are not healthy for anyone. Many teachers gave Mountain Retreat teachings, and among them, these instructions were taught by His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche, one of the great masters of the 20th century who was predicted by Guru Padmasambhava. This book includes a complete translation of “Mountain Retreat Instructions” by His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche. Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche (1950-) was enthroned by H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche in 1978 as a Nyingmapa abbot. Afterwards he traveled and studied for many years with H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche, as well as with his brother, Ven. Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche, and his father, Lama Chimed Namgyal. In 1988, he and Khenchen Rinpoche founded the Padmasambhava Buddhist Center, which now has centers worldwide. He has co-authored over 25 books in English with Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche. As a holder of the complete Nyingmapa lineage, Khenpo Tsewang Rinpoche is an expert of all the Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana schools, and is a Dzogchen master.