The Wisdom Weapon of Compassion: Vajrakilaya - Part 2 (Three-Week Retreat)
with Loppon Lodro Dorje and Karen Porterfield
November 13 - December 3, 2026
From HH Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche’s commentary:
“The wisdom mind of the Buddhas is naturally permeated by all-encompassing compassion, the essence of emptiness.
Like a sharp weapon, this great compassion has the power to sever all the obscuring emotions and suffering of sentient beings.”
From the Netik Phurba sadhana:
“The vajra space of suchness
Raging against whatever opposes compassion
Cuts the kleshas, aggression, and grasping and fixation. . .
Obstacles, maras and obstructing spirits are completely annihilated.
The environment and its inhabitants are (returned to) innate primordial purity.”
Part 2 of the Vajrakilaya Retreat (A three-week offering)
Through this program, participants who have completed the first recitation (14 days) can complete their retreat requirement by time (specified as 32 days of practice). Upon completion, participants will be qualified to attend Vajrakilaya fire offerings—both Amending and Four Karmas.
Those who have completed the retreat commitment (by time or mantra; in solitude or group setting) are warmly welcome to join in.
The start date of November 13 will synchronize participants with those who are attending the overall 5-week retreat. If for some reason these dates are not possible for you, please contact Karen Porterfield at ktporterfield@gmail.com to discuss options.
Background
In our community, the practice of Vajrakilaya has a long history which began with the Vidyadhara’s intentions for his students’ path and the subsequent abhishekas offered by HH Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche at the time of Trungpa Rinpoche’s parinirvana. Since that time, the abhisheka has been offered by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche and, most recently, Rabjam Rinpoche.
While many community members received the empowerment and have practiced the sadhana in groups, the opportunities to deepen their understanding and connect more fully have not been plentiful. These retreats are designed to provide such an opportunity. We aim to continue the support for Vajrakilaya practice so auspiciously provided recently by the retreats led by Loppon Lodro Dorje, Karen Porterfield, Eve Rosenthal, and Larry Mermelstein.
The Vidyadhara fully intended us to engage this practice for its own sake, and also because of its direct connection with the Ashe principle in his Shambhala transmission.
The practice of Vajrakilaya is timely. In this time of unusual aggression and chaos in the world, this practice is aimed at addressing just this kind of circumstance.
Who May Attend
Participants must have received the Vajrakilaya abhisheka–specifically, from the Netik Phurba terma tradition of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo–as offered to us by HH Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Sakyong Mipham RInpoche and Rabjam Rinpoche. We welcome all who are qualified to join us–the new and the more seasoned.
Ideally participants will have completed the Chakrasamvara practice retreat commitments or have some experience of Chakrasamvara teachings and practice. Those who have completed both fire offerings for Vajrayogini may request special permission to attend.
If you have any specific questions about the retreat or your eligibility to attend, please contact Karen Porterfield at ktporterfield@gmail.com
Cost
$1970 – 3,680 depending on your lodging choice.
Pay in full or place a 20% deposit.
Generosity Policy
We want everyone to be able to attend retreats at Dorje Denma Ling.
Read About Our Generosity Policy
NEW! 30 & under discount and Monastic discount available during registration.
Other Useful Links
Registration and Cancellation Policy
What to Bring & Transportation
The 2026 Vajrakilaya Retreat Offerings
This is the Information & Registration page for PART 2, the Three-Week Offering, from Nov 13 to Dec 3. If you would like to explore the two additional options (the Complete Retreat and Part 1), please follow the links below.
The Complete Vajrakilaya Retreat, a Five-Week Offering, from Oct 29 to Dec 3:
Complete Retreat Information & Registration
PART 1 of the Vajrakilaya Retreat, a Two-week Offering, from Oct 29 to Nov 15:
About the Leaders
Loppon Lodro Dorje
After a stint pursuing theology, then physics, and then computer programming, Lodro Holm became a student of the Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche in 1971, and moved to Boulder to join the Karma Dzong community there. Under Trungpa Rinpoche’s direction, Loppon Lodro Dorje was head of the Office of Three Yana Studies from 1976 through 1990, which […]
Learn more about Loppon Lodro Dorje
Karen Porterfield
Karen became a Buddhist in 1984 in Bodh Gaya, India, with Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche. After receiving teachings from Tulku Ugyen Rinpoche, she continued her studies with many prominent Nyingma and Kagyü teachers over the next few years before landing in Boulder, where she became a student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Since then, she has followed […]
Learn more about Karen PorterfieldCategories : Advanced Program, On-Land Programs & Events