Preliminary Practices
Preliminary practices (ngöndro) to purify our minds and deepen our meditation practice.
About Preliminary Practices
In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, there are many preliminary practices (ngöndro) we can engage in to purify our minds so that we can deepen our understanding of Buddhist teachings and go further in our meditation practice.
These include:
1. Prostrations
2. Vajrasattva mantra
3. Refuge
4. Mandala offering
5. Guru Yoga
6. Dorje Khadro
7. Water bowls
8. Tsa-tsa
9. Samaya Vajra mantra
Learn more about these practices below.
Subcategories
Dorje Khadro
Learn to visualize and do the Dorje Khadro (Vajra Daka) fire offering practice.
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Prostrations to the 35 Buddhas
How to do the bodhisattva's confession of ethical downfalls by prostrating to and reciting the names of buddhas.
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Refuge Ngöndro
Instructions on the preliminary practice of reciting the refuge prayer while visualizing the field of merit.
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Pearl of Wisdom, Book I
A compilation of prayers and practices commonly taught to people beginning to study and practice Buddhism in the Tibetan tradition. This text, along with instruction from a qualified teacher, serves as an indispensable foundation for students of all levels.
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Pearl of Wisdom, Book II
An inspiring resource for students who have already entered into the practice of Tibetan Buddhism, this text contains meditations to connect us to the various manifestations of the Buddha, practices to cultivate bodhicitta, and other inspiring verses.
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Pearl of Wisdom, Book III
A collection of action (Kriya) Tantra sadhanas for those who wish to engage in self-generation deity yoga methods and have received the proper tantric empowerment and subsequent permission for that specific deity.
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Featured Series
Stages of the Path: Refuge Ngöndro (2009)
Short talks on the preliminary practice (ngöndro) of taking refuge based on the Guru Puja text by the first Panchen Lama Lobsang Chokyi Gyaltsen.
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Venerable Thubten Chodron Seven-limb Prayer
Purifying and creating positive potential prepare our minds to grow in wisdom and understanding.
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Venerable Sangye Khadro Prostrations to the 35 Buddhas Practice
Instruction on the 35 Buddhas practice, including an overview of karma, and how to do…
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Heather Mack Duchscher The heart of generosity
The preliminary practice of offering water bowls cultivates openness and generosity in the practitioner.
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Refuge ngondro retreat: Questions and answers
Advice on how to approach the retreat, structure meditation sessions, activities between sessions, and working…
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Refuge Ngondro Retreat instructions
The refuge ngondro practice and tips on how to work with the mind during the…
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Instructions on the Dorje Khadro practice
Instructions on the Dorje Khadro fire offering practice.
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Lama Tsongkhapa 
A modern mandala offering
Explanation of this merit accumulating practice and a contemporary version of the mandala offering prayer.
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The preliminary practice of taking refuge
A clear guide on doing the ngondro practice of refuge—how to visualize, count mantra, and…
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