Bodhisattva’s Path
Three-Year Retreat
A Cornerstone of Tibetan Buddhism
The Tibetan word for retreat, tsam, means “boundary.” It marks a sacred commitment, stepping away from the comforts and distractions of daily life and into a container where profound transformation can unfold.
Namchak’s Three-Year Retreat offers dedicated Vajrayana practitioners the rare opportunity to dedicate themselves fully to the path of realization. Guided by Tulku Sangak Rinpoche, the world lineage holder of the Namchak lineage, this program continues an unbroken stream of teachings passed directly from teacher to student for centuries.
Our Three-Year Retreat site is currently under construction and scheduled for completion in 2027.
About the Retreat
A Sacred Commitment
Founded by the great tertön, Tsasum Lingpa, the Namchak lineage is one of Tibet’s vibrant living lineages. Its teachings lead practitioners from the foundations of meditation to the direct realization of Dzogchen, the Great Perfection.
Tulku Sangak Rinpoche, the holder of the Namchak lineage, has dedicated his life to preserving and transmitting this lineage in its complete form. Our Three-Year Retreat fulfills his vision of offering Western students the opportunity to engage deeply in study, meditation, and realization, just as generations of students have done before in the East.
Why three years?
The Origins of Three-Year Retreat
The Tibetan word for three-year retreat is lo-sum chok-sum, which means “three years and three fortnights.” Given the number of times we breathe in and out every day, there’s a connection between our breathing and the subtle energy that moves through our energy channels. When our minds are in a particular state of meditation, when we breathe, the energy being reinforced is not ordinary karmic energy. That energy becomes wisdom or an awareness that is encouraged by breathing.
The tantra states that three years and three fortnights is the minimum amount of time a human being can achieve full enlightenment by transforming all of that subtle energy from karmic energy to the energy of wisdom or awareness.
What to expect
Three-Year Retreat Curriculum
In the Namchak tradition, practitioners dedicate themselves to a structured meditation schedule, mantra recitation, ritual, and studying Namchak lineage texts. The retreat curriculum has been personally designed by Rinpoche and translated with his guidance, maintaining the complete integrity of the Namchak lineage while offering accessibility to Western students.
These retreats allow participants to engage deeply with advanced practices, such as Dzogchen or Vajrayana sadhanas, under the guidance of senior lineage holders and retreat masters.
FAQs
What Else Should I Know?
A three-year retreat is a profound commitment that requires years of preparation. Thoughtful inquiry about one’s readiness for such a commitment is an essential step.
Who attends a three-year retreat?
Practitioners who have prepared for this type of retreat for years and are invited by their teacher to begin such a journey.
What will I learn at three-year retreat?
One of the primary purposes of our three-year retreat is to expose you to the entire range of techniques of the Namchak Lineage. Participants will engage deeply with advanced practices, such as Dzogchen or Vajrayana sadhanas, under the guidance of senior lineage holders and retreat masters.
What are the rules for silence at three-year retreat?
Silence is an important support for meditation, but its intensity shifts throughout the retreat. During most phases, participants observe noble silence, speaking only for essential communication or group practice. In some stages, silence deepens as retreatants focus on subtle meditations and inner stillness.
Interested in Three-Year Retreat?
Join us on this journey — receive updates about the creation of the retreat space and our Three-Year Retreat curriculum.