Ngöndro Retreat - Preliminary Practices

TBC Senior Teacher, Tony Boris, will lead a special one-day Ngöndro Retreat, at CTBC and via Zoom.   Ngöndro, also known as Preliminary Practices, are recognized as essential in all four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism.   They all share the common feature of opening the heart and mind toward the cultivation of great wisdom and compassion; bodhicitta, and ultimately, enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.   

A suggested donation of $25.00/members and $40.00 non-members is gratefully requested. No one is ever turned away for lack of resources. Please contact ctbcevents@gmail.com if you need assistance.

Important! You will receive a confirmation email from ctbcevents@gmail.com with your donation receipt and Zoom information. Please check your spam!

To register and to receive Zoom link, please head here: https://donorbox.org/ngondro-preliminary-practices

About the Retreat

Ngöndro, also known as Preliminary Practices, is recognized as essential in all four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism. They include establishing a meditation space and setting up an altar, Refuge, Prostrations, Guru Yoga, Mandala Offering, Vajrasattva, Seven Limb Practice and others.

While there are many kinds of Preliminary Practices, and different ways to practice, they all share the common feature of opening the heart and mind toward the cultivation of great wisdom and compassion, bodhicitta, and ultimately, enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. The qualities they enable are limitless. They inspire, they deepen us, and they enable us to see, feel and hear on a more profound level. They are a fundamental bridge to the Vajrayana practices through which such attainment is possible.

We will learn about these profound practices and turn our focus to several in depth. Our day will be composed of part discussion, and at all other times and during our practice sessions, noble silence. This retreat is for learners of all skill and experience levels. The retreat will also be offered on Zoom for all who would like to participate from their home or other location.

What to Bring

Please bring a lunch, a notebook if you wish, and any other items that you may need for health or other reasons. Please let us know if you have any special needs or requirements that we may assist with.

About your Teacher, Tony Boris

Tony Boris was introduced to Buddhism in 2009, and then just a few weeks later, introduced to his teacher, when a young Tibetan store clerk handed him a piece of scrap paper with the words handwritten on it: “LosangSamten, Chenrezig Tibetan Buddhist Center of Philadelphia.” Since then, it’s been a little like that.

Tony was President of CTBC from 2011 to 2015, and continues to serve with gratitude as a Senior Teacher. Tony has been fortunate to have met and received teachings and initiations from some of the great spiritual masters of our time, including His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, H.E. Garchen Rinpoche, Ven. Barry Kerzin, Venerable Thubten Choephel, Gelek Rinpoche, Lama Lena, Ven. Choden Rinpoche, and others, including of course his Root Teacher and friend, without whom he doesn’t know what he would have done with this life, Lama Losang.

Tony has taken Bodhisattva Vows multiple times, and will continue to take them for as long as it takes. As a teacher, Tony focuses on how to cultivate the heart and mind of enlightenment in everyday life and relationships. In other realms, Tony co-founded and was president of the Philadelphia animal welfare non-profit, Philadoptables, and served as a long-time advocate for Philadelphia’s homeless and sheltered animals. A musician, writer and performer from an early age, he now records under the handle Peace, baby (Spotify, YouTube, etc.). Earlier still, as a young spiritual seeker, Tony hitchhiked across the US and abroad collecting experiences and awakenings. Surprisingly enough, this was followed by a career as a Philadelphia trial lawyer. He now works for the Social Security Administration.

Tony maintains the blog, Shantideva Space. In 2013, he married his life partner, Darlene Vanasco, and became the stepfather of two remarkable young adults, Simone and Ben. His world has not been the same since. After living in Philadelphia for his entire life, Tony recently became a resident of Brooklyn, NY, to be closer to his kids. He is grateful beyond measure for the opportunity to share the joy, love and wisdom he has received from so many remarkable beings in this precious human life.