The Wisdom Weapon of Compassion: Vajrakilaya Save the Dates

2026 Vajrakilaya Retreats

This fall, Dorje Denma Ling will offer the traditional 32-day Vajrakilaya group retreat, with a concurrent 2-week retreat opportunity for those who would like to begin–or complete–their Vajrakilaya commitment.  The retreat also welcomes those who would like to come for intensive practice but not accumulate time or numbers. 

The retreat will follow the traditional four-session daily practice schedule. Included in the schedule will be teachings and discussion, as well as exploration of our lineage teachers’ commentaries.

Five Week Offering

October 29 – December 3

Through this program, participants can complete the Vajrakilaya retreat requirement by time which is specified as 32 days of practice.  Upon completion, participants will be qualified to attend Vajrakilaya fire offerings—both Amending and Four Karmas.

Two Week Offering

October 29 – November 15

New and seasoned Vajrakilaya practitioners are welcome to attend the shorter retreat and can consider this a practice intensive if they are not accumulating time or numbers.  For those wishing to accumulate towards the Vajrakilaya retreat commitment, this time (or the numbers one accumulates) will count.  If one is beginning the retreat commitment, this two-week practice period will support completion of the first mantra recitation.

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 Rosenthall, 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.

Partial attendance will be allowed, details to come.

Generosity Policy

We want everyone to be able to attend retreats at Dorje Denma Ling.  Read about our Generosity Policy and payment options here:

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