Location: Institut Vajra Yogini, Marzens, France
Eligibility: Open to anyone familiar with the Lamrim, especially students of the FPMT Basic Program
Dates: 1 – 28 June 2026
Guide: Ven. Losang Gendun
Participation: You are welcome to join for a minimum of two consecutive weeks at an point during the retreat. Arrival and departure should be scheduled for weekends.
The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment by Je Tsongkhapa stands as one of the most celebrated and comprehensive presentations of the Buddha’s teachings. Synthesizing the 84,000 methods taught by the Buddha into a clear and practical step-by-step path, this masterpiece continues the profound lineage of the Indian master Atisha and represents the pinnacle of the Lamrim tradition.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche, a true heir of this profound Tibetan heritage, repeatedly emphasized that for the Dharma to truly take root in the West, it must be embodied — not just studied. Practitioners must cultivate deep, experiential realizations of the Lamrim.
In service of that vision, we warmly invite dedicated practitioners — particularly those with a strong grounding in the Lamrim and FPMT Basic Program students — to join our month-long guided Lamrim retreat. This is a rare opportunity to integrate the stages of the path, supported by experienced guidance, structured daily practice, and a community of sincere fellow practitioners.
Throughout the retreat, Venerable Losang Gendun will offer in-depth Sunday commentaries on the Calm Abiding and Special Insight chapters of Je Tsongkhapa’s Middle-Length Lamrim, providing essential context and clarity to support deeper contemplation.:
If you are interested please contact Chrissie our FPMT Basic Program Coordinator at: bp@jamyangleeds.co.uk
To learn more about the Vajra Yogini Institute, visit their website here.
Daily Schedule:
TOPICS COVERED:
RESOURCES:
• Geshe Rabten’s Essential Nectar is a classic and provides an excellent overview of the various Lamrim meditations and their arguments. A must have for this retreat. You can buy your copy here.
• Yangsi Rinpoche’s Practicing the Path provides a concise and contemporary commentary on the Lamrim Chenmo. A copy you can find here.
• Kathleen Mcdonald’s How to Meditate on the Stages of the Path is a great introduction to meditating on the Lamrim for those who are less familiar with this type of practice. For a copy, go here.
• Je Tsongkhapa’s Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment is the very basis of this retreat. Digital and paper copies of the three volumes you can find here.
• Geshe Lhundub Sopa’s Steps on the Path to Enlightenment is the most extensive modern commentary on the Lamrim and is highly recommended. A copy you can obtain from this page.
• Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Lamrim Teachings from Kopan are guides by a true bodhisattva and have been published in seven volumes that you can find hereand for free here. Moreover, Rinpoche wrote extensively on the Six Perfections, copies of which books you can obtain here.