STARTING JANURARY 23RD 2025
THURSDAYS 12 -  2 EST | FRIDAYS 11 - 12 EST


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 Guide to Actual Practice, 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 The Marvelous Guide to Actual Practice, 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.

  • Experience the unique Dzogchen cycle that arose as a mind-terma from Rangjung Dorje - a dynamic Ati Yoga cycle that aides us in experiencing the vast, free, pure spaciousness of mind.

  • All participants will receive access to limited edition translation of "The Marvelous Guide to Actual Practice" included with the course

  • Receive a 7-day online Trekchö Retreat included with registration for deeper integration and opportunity for intensive practice with recordings provided

  • Additional optional camping style Rushen Retreat at the Yangti Yoga Retreat Center in Buckland, MA.

Justin von Bujdoss

Senior Instructor & Founder

is an American vajrayana Buddhist teacher, writer, and the is a co-founder of Bhumisparsha an experimental Buddhist sangha along with Lama Rod Owens and Founder and Director of Yangti Yoga Retreat Center with Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, a retreat center dedicated to the practice of Dark Retreat. 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. From 2016 until December 2021 Justin served as the Executive Director of Chaplaincy and Staff Wellness for NYC Department of Correction where he also served as Staff Chaplain supervising over 30 chaplains and guided wellness programming for staff. Justin also has professional experience in home hospice and hospital settings as a pastoral caregiver. Lama Justin is currently the chaplain for Hart Island, New York City’s public cemetery. Lama Justin was 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 in the Yuthok Nyingthik tantric Buddhist lineage. Lama Justin has presented on Buddhist practice at Harvard, Princeton, Yale, University of Chicago, Wellesley, Columbia University, has been a visiting instructor at Union Theological Seminary, and teaches at Pure Land Farms. Justin is passionate about helping to create the conditions for authentic embodied tantric Buddhist spiritual practice in the West.
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...

Read More

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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Course curriculum

    1. Welcome Letter

    2. Class Syllabus

    3. Student Walktrough: How to use this course

    4. Submit Your Questions

    5. Zoom Link

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

    2. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    3. Training with Prāna that does not entail passion: Training in associating colors with the breath

    4. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    5. Training with Prāna: Training in associating colors with the breath

    6. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    7. Training with Prāna: Training in three-dimensional breathing

    8. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    9. Training with Prāna: Training in counting the breath

    10. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    11. Training with Prāna: Training in it’s coming and going

    12. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    13. Training with Prāna: Training in forming the vase

    14. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    15. Training with Bindu: Technique 1

    16. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    17. Training with Bindu: Technique 1

    18. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    19. Training with Bindu: Technique 2

    20. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    21. Training with Bindu: Technique 2

    22. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    23. Cutting Through Complexity: Purification of Space

    24. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    25. Cutting Through Complexity: Purification of Wind

    26. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    27. Cutting Through Complexity: Purification of Water

    28. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    29. Cutting Through Complexity: Purification of Fire

    30. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    31. Cutting Through Complexity: Purification of Earth

    32. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    33. Cutting Through Complexity: Techniques for Removing Hindrances

    34. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    35. View, Meditation, Conduct and Fruition: Conduct

    36. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    37. View, Meditation, Conduct and Fruition: Meditation

    38. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    39. View, Meditation, Conduct and Fruition: Meditation

    40. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    41. View, Meditation, Conduct and Fruition: View

    42. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    43. View, Meditation, Conduct and Fruition: View

    44. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    45. View, Meditation, Conduct and Fruition: Fruition

    46. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    47. Processing Samsara and Nirvana (Rushen): Introduction - Application of the Seal

    48. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    49. Processing Samsara and Nirvana (Rushen): Body

    50. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    51. Processing Samsara and Nirvana (Rushen): Body

    52. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    53. Processing Samsara and Nirvana (Rushen): Speech

    54. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    55. Processing Samsara and Nirvana (Rushen): Speech

    56. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    57. Processing Samsara and Nirvana (Rushen): Mind

    58. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    59. Empowerment of Total Simplicity

    60. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    61. Trekchö

    62. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    63. Trekchö

    64. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    65. Trekchö

    66. Karma Nyingthik Community Sit

    1. Rushen Retreat: August 2 - 9th | Optional camping retreat

    2. Trekchö Retreat: September 11 - 18th | Online

About this course

  • Thursday's 12 - 2pm EST + Friday Community Sit Starting Jan 23rd 2025
  • $1250 | One Year Program with a 7 Day Retreat & Special Translation of Course Text Included
  • Live Zoom Class with Recordings Provided

Prerequisites & Practice Commitments

Given the advanced nature of this practice cycle, and the year that we will be spending together familiarizing ourselves with the practices herein, this program is restricted to advanced Vajrayana practitioners who can meet the following criteria:

You have received pointing-out instruction once or on numerous occasions.

You. will have completed or be very close to completing some ngondro practice of the Kagyu or Nyingma lineages- i.e., a ngondro that is a preliminary to a mahamudra/niruttara-yoga-tantra/Ati Yoga sadhana.

You have received and practiced some mahamudra and/or ati practices.

You will engage in additional ngondro practices associated with the Konchok Chidu and Karma Nyingtik as appropriate based upon additional ngondro programming offered for these classes.

If you have any questions regarding these requirements including if you meet some but not all, please reach out to us to discuss possibilities that may be available to you by emailing [email protected]


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