STARTING JANURARY 7TH 2027
THURSDAYS 12 -  2 EST | 9 - 11 PST


The 14th century Tibetan meditation master known as Rangjung Dorje, the 3rd Karmapa, is historically significant within the Tibetan Buddhist world for many reasons, one of which being that he is widely regarded as the first officially recognized tulku. A master of many aspects of the vajrayana tradition, his works and impact still remain fresh and vital to understanding mahamudra, the vajra body, and a host of other topics. 

Rangjung Dorje was also a contemporary of the great Dzogchen master Longchenpa, and studied and practiced under Longchenpa’s primary teacher Rigdzin Kumaradza. According to Rangjung Dorje’s biography, he had a vision in which the early Dzogchen masters Vimalamitra and Padmasambhava appeared and dissolved into the point between his eyebrows. It is said that as this happened, Rangjung Dorje instantly received the transmission for all of the Dzogchen tantras along with a visionary cycle of Dzogchen meditation that arose in his mind which he subsequently wrote down. This became known as the Karma Nyingthik – a unique approach to manifesting the clarity and timeless awareness that is our enlightened nature.

Over time, most of the texts within what is assumed to be the wider cycle of the Karma Nyingthik seem to have been dispersed, many of which are still unaccounted for, however, the text known as The Marvelous Instructions, survives and remains an important and rare example of Dzogchen practiced within the context of the Karma Kagyu tradition.

Dzogchen (Sanskrit: Ati Yoga) is the most simple, direct, and profound path to reveal the sky-like nature of our own mind which is clear, vast, and unobstructed by the clouds of afflictive emotions.

In August 2022, His Eminence Gyaltsab Rinpoche, one of the four heart-sons of the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa suggested to Lama Justin that it would be very good to teach this text, The Marvelous Instructions, and gave his blessing that this should happen.

During this year-long on-line program we will explore the direct and pithy instructions that the third Karmapa presents as a way to access the experience of the mind’s true nature in daily life and liberating afflictive emotions so that the rigpa-state is able to be experienced.  This unique lineage, combined with Lama Justin's clear explanation and practical instructions make this online intensive an invaluable support for both beginner and advanced meditators of any lineage.

  • Immerse in this unique Dzogchen cycle with a balanced mix of live & pre-recorded classes with Lama Justin along with a weekly Friday Community Sit

  • All participants will receive our limited edition translation of "The Marvelous Instructions" included with the course

  • Receive a 5-day online Trekchö Retreat and a 5-day online Tögal Retreat included with registration for deeper integration and opportunity for intensive practice

  • Additional optional week-long Rushen Retreat at the Yangti Yoga Retreat Center in Buckland, MA.

Lama Justin von Bujdoss

Spiritual Director & Founder

Lama Justin von Bujdoss is an internationally renowned vajrayana Buddhist teacher, writer and chaplain. He is the author of Modern Tantric Buddhism: Authenticity and Embodiment in Dharma Practice published by North Atlantic Books and contributor to Buddhism and Whiteness: Critical Reflections published by Lexington Books. He has been a frequent contributor to various Buddhist magazines and journals and has been a collaborator with the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art and other cultural institutions. With over thirty years of Buddhist practice, Justin is ordained as a repa, a lay tantric yogin in the tradition of Milarepa, by His Eminence Gyaltsab Rinpoche, one of the heart sons of His Holiness the 16th Karmapa and is a ngakpa, a lay tantric yogin in the Nyingma tradition of the Yuthok Nyingthik lineage. He has worked professionally as a hospice chaplain, was the head chaplain and Executive Director of Chaplaincy and Staff Wellness for New York City Department of Correction, and the chaplain for Hart Island, New York City’s Potter’s Field. He is currently the chaplain for the Shelburne Falls/Buckland Fire Department. Lama Justin has spoken widely at colleges and universities across the United States and is passionate about helping to create the conditions for authentic embodied tantric Buddhist and Ati Yoga practice in the West.

Course curriculum

    1. Welcome Letter & Details

    2. Class Syllabus

    3. Student Walktrough: How to use this course

    4. Zoom Link

    1. The Marvelous Instructions | Special Translation

    1. Zoom Link | Ati Yoga Community Sit

    2. Community Sit Details

    1. Introduction to the Karma Nyingthik, Rangjung Dorje, and Ati Yoga

    2. Training of the Breath and Loong: Training through color

    3. Training of the Breath and Loong: Training through shape

    4. Training of the Breath and Loong: Training through counting

    5. Training of the Breath and Loong: Training through their coming and going | *Pre-Recorded*

    6. Training of the Breath and Loong: Training through vase-breath practice | *Pre-Recorded*

    7. Training with Prāna: Training in forming the vase | *Pre-Recorded*

    8. Training of the Tiglé: Technique 1 | *Pre-Recorded*

    9. Training of the Tiglé: Technique 1 | *Pre-Recorded*

    10. Training of the Tiglé: Technique 2 | *Pre-Recorded*

    11. Training of the Tiglé: Technique 2 | *Pre-Recorded*

    12. Purification of Space

    13. Purification of Wind

    14. Purification of Water

    15. Purification of Fire

    16. Purification of Earth | *Pre-Recorded*

    17. Geksel or Obstacle-Eliminating Practices Connected with the Elements

    18. Conduct, Meditation, and View in General Terms and Specifically Dzogchen Terms: Conduct | *Pre-Recorded*

    19. Conduct, Meditation, and View in General Terms and Specifically Dzogchen Terms: Meditation | *Pre-Recorded*

    20. Conduct, Meditation, and View in General Terms and Specifically Dzogchen Terms: View

    21. Conduct, Meditation, and View in General Terms and Specifically Dzogchen Terms: Result

    22. Kordé Rushen: Distinguishing Samsara from Nirvana: Introduction | *Pre-Recorded*

    23. Kordé Rushen: Distinguishing Samsara from Nirvana: Body

    24. Kordé Rushen: Distinguishing Samsara from Nirvana: Speech | *Pre-Recorded*

    25. Kordé Rushen: Distinguishing Samsara from Nirvana: Mind

    26. Kordé Rushen: Distinguishing Samsara from Nirvana: Inner Rushen | *Pre-Recorded*

    27. Kordé Rushen: Distinguishing Samsara from Nirvana: Inner Rushen | *Pre-Recorded*

    28. Trekchö

    29. Trekchö | *Pre-Recorded*

    30. Trekchö | *Pre-Recorded*

    31. Trekchö | *Pre-Recorded*

    32. Trekchö | *Pre-Recorded*

    33. Trekchö | *Pre-Recorded*

    34. NO CLASS: Individual Practice Session

    35. Empowerment of Total Simplicity

    36. Trekchö

    37. Postures and Gazes: Elephant Asana

    38. Postures and Gazes: Rishi Asana

    39. Postures and Gazes: Lion Asana | *Pre-Recorded*

    40. Seeing Rigpa Directly: Introduction to Tögal

    41. Seeing Rigpa Directly: The primary and secondary causes for the manifestation of rigpa within ying, the dimension of space

    42. Seeing Rigpa Directly: The definition of deluded and non-deluded rigpa | *Pre-Recorded*

    43. Seeing Rigpa Directly: The reasons these things are put into practice

    44. Seeing Rigpa Directly: The description of the results of practice

    45. Seeing Rigpa Directly: Group Practice Session

    46. Seeing Rigpa Directly: Group Practice Session: Group Practice Session | Live From Retreat

    47. NO CLASS: Individual Practice Session (THANKSGIVING)

    48. Seeing Rigpa Directly: Group Practice Session

    49. Seeing Rigpa Directly: Group Practice Session | *Pre-Recorded*

    50. Fruition - Parting Advice

    1. ATI RUSHEN RETREAT: June 5th - 12th 2027

    2. TREKCHÖ RETREAT (ONLINE): September 13th - 17th

    3. TÖGAL RETREAT (ONLINE): November 15th - 19th

About this course

  • Thursday's 12 - 2pm EST + Friday Community Sit
  • $1200 | One Year Program + Two 5-Day Retreats and Course Text Included
  • Live Zoom & Pre-Recorded Classes with Recordings Provided
5 star rating

Immersive and supportive

Scott Clancy

After two years of studying the Yuthok Nyingthig, the Marvelous Guide to Actual Practice provided a deepened and nuanced perspective on the practice of Dzogchen. Lama Justin's teaching and supportive guidance created a powerful container for explo...

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After two years of studying the Yuthok Nyingthig, the Marvelous Guide to Actual Practice provided a deepened and nuanced perspective on the practice of Dzogchen. Lama Justin's teaching and supportive guidance created a powerful container for exploring Dzogchen as presented by Ranjung Dorje within the Karma Kagyu tradition.

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5 star rating

A beautiful, deep practice

Sarah Kokernot

This class was amazing! It felt very meaningful to receive teachings from an unbroken transmission from the 8th Karmapa. You could feel the blessing of lineage in this class. The cycle takes you step-by-step through practices that support the expe...

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This class was amazing! It felt very meaningful to receive teachings from an unbroken transmission from the 8th Karmapa. You could feel the blessing of lineage in this class. The cycle takes you step-by-step through practices that support the experience of the Rigpa state in a way that feels both structured but also open and spontaneous. I loved meeting with a sangha and teacher each week. That consistency helped deepen my confidence in Rigpa. Lama Justin is truly a remarkable teacher who is insightful, nonjudgmental, and caring with his students. He responds to people's questions in a way that feels personal. He meets people where they are, but at the same time, you'll feel gently nudged. I can't recommend this class enough to anyone interested in Ati Yoga/Dzogchen. It's been transformative.

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5 star rating

Wonderful way to deepen practice

Emma Borges-Scott

It's a very well-structured and paced course that allows you to deeply practice this dzogchen cycle. Lama Justin is deeply knowledgeable about both the history of Tibetan Buddhism and the direct experience of practice. I appreciated the Q&A f...

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It's a very well-structured and paced course that allows you to deeply practice this dzogchen cycle. Lama Justin is deeply knowledgeable about both the history of Tibetan Buddhism and the direct experience of practice. I appreciated the Q&A format and input from my fellow students. Some explanations were above my knowledge level, but the year time frame and pace allowed me to build skills and I'm repeating the class next year so I can continue studying with Lama Justin.

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5 star rating

Truly marvelous guide to deep practice

Julius Guenther

loved every aspect of the text, teaching and overall course design.

loved every aspect of the text, teaching and overall course design.

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