It begins with the fundamental seed of awakening, the buddha-nature present within all beings, and then carefully unfolds all the causes and conditions required for that seed to fully mature. Guiding the practitioner through recognizing the rarity and opportunity of a precious human birth, establishing a meaningful relationship with an authentic spiritual teacher, and engaging in the contemplations that turn the mind toward the Dharma and away from samsara, this work lays a solid foundation. Building from there, it presents refuge as the gateway to the path, the cultivation of bodhicitta as its essential motivation, and the systematic training in the six perfections as the means of development. In this way, the text traces a complete arc: from the innate potential for awakening, through the nurturing conditions that allow it to grow, to its full blossoming as the realization of complete buddhahood. In this sense, it directly supports and complements Drupon Thinley Nyingpo Rinpoche’s ongoing Three-Year Program on the Drikung Fivefold Path of Mahamudra.

Historically, Gampopa stands at the source of this lineage of instruction. He transmitted the essential teachings of the Fivefold Path to Phagmodrupa, which were then passed to Jigten Sumgon, becoming a defining specialty of the Drikung Kagyu lineage. The Fivefold Path of Mahamudra itself emerges from this integrated presentation of the dharma found in Gampopa’s teachings.

Gampopa himself emphasized the importance of this text, saying that to study it would be like meeting him in person. Through engaging with this teaching, we have a rare opportunity to connect directly with the living wisdom of the lineage. Khenmo Sonam will guide us in the study and contemplation of this incomparable text as a practitioner who has extensive direct experience integrating these stages of practice and a scholar who has received the thorough transmission of the commentarial and key instruction lineages. All are welcome to attend this series, whether new to the path or continuing their studies. We hope you will join us for this precious opportunity to deepen your understanding and practice.