Ngöndro

Ngöndro refers to the foundational or preparatory disciplines used in Tibetan Buddhism. These practices are also known by the Sanskrit term sādhanā. They are common to the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism: Gelug, Kagyu, Nyingma, and Sakya. The practice is also found in the indigenous Yungdrung Bön tradition. Many people assume that "foundational" means these steps are lesser or simpler than higher practices. However, Vajrayana masters teach that Ngöndro is a complete and sufficient spiritual path. It can lead a practitioner all the way to full enlightenment.

These preliminary practices prepare the mind for more advanced and esoteric Vajrayana sādhanā. These higher practices are intended to lead to the realization of Dzogchen, Heruka, or Mahamudra. In some cases, specific preparations are prescribed for senior sādhanā. For example, the practice of "differentiating saṃsāra and nirvāṇa" prepares a person for trekchö. Trekchö is described as "cutting through to primordial purity." While Ngöndro was formalized in Tibet, it was not practiced in this specific way in early Tibet or India.

Practitioners generally divide Ngöndro into two distinct sections. The first section is known as the common or ordinary preliminaries. These consist of deep reflections or contemplations on four specific topics. These topics include the advantages of a precious human rebirth and the truth of impermanence. Practitioners also contemplate the workings of karma and the suffering within saṃsāra. These four reflections are sometimes called the "four reminders" or "four mind-changers." They are meant to turn the mind toward the Dharma.

The second section consists of the special or extraordinary preliminaries, known as inner preliminaries. These involve active spiritual tasks to purify different aspects of the practitioner. One task is taking refuge in the Three Jewels alongside 100,000 prostrations to purify pride. Another task is the cultivation of bodhicitta to purify jealousy. Some formulations include 100,000 recitations of the Vajrasattva hundred-syllable mantra to purify hatred or aversion. Practitioners also perform 100,000 mandala offerings to purify attachment. Finally, they perform 100,000 guru yoga practices to purify delusion.

History shows that different lineages have developed unique versions of these practices. In the Nyingma tradition, the Longchen Nyingthig is a famous cycle of teachings. This cycle was revealed by the master Jigme Lingpa in the late 18th century. These teachings were originally transmitted by Padmasambhava to King Trisong Deutsen and others. Because the time was not right for the teachings, they were hidden in symbolic script. They were eventually revealed by Jigme Lingpa, who was a tertön, or "treasure revealer."

Commitment to Ngöndro requires a significant amount of time and dedication. Completing the practice once can take approximately 1,500 hours of work. If a person performs the practice during a retreat, it might take six months. If they integrate it into daily life, it may take several years. Practitioners often dedicate the merit of their work to the benefit of all sentient beings. This goal is linked to the cultivation of bodhicitta.

Different schools maintain specific variations in their Ngöndro methods. The Kagyu lineage includes the "Chariot for Travelling the Path to Freedom" by the 9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje. The Bön tradition uses two cycles called Zhangzhung sNyan-rgyud and A-khrid. In Bön, practitioners repeat tasks like mandala offerings and mantra purification 100,000 times each. Even with these variations, the ultimate goal remains the enlightenment of the practitioner. This allows them to be of the greatest benefit to all living beings.