“Mahamudra is a contemplative Buddhist tradition known for its simplicity. The practice is to be genuine, relaxed, and aware in every situation in life, to accept and appreciate who we are. To engage in its profound methods, we aren’t required to change our lifestyle, and any message contrary to that is not a true Mahamudra teaching. The practice of Mahamudra is an experience of our mind that’s completely free and joyful, no matter what our life brings us. It points us to mind’s true nature.”
— Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
Friday evening, September 4 and Saturday all-day, September 5, 2026
We are delighted you are interested in joining us for this 2-day retreat This program is open to all regardless of meditation experience.
Join us Friday evening, September 4th for a teaching by Acharya Lama Tenpa Gyaltsen to get a taste of Mahamudra meditation practice. The retreat will continue on Saturday, September 5th with teachings by Acharya Lama Tenpa, Acharya Lhakpa Tshering and Mitra Mark Power.
For brand new meditators we will offer meditation instructions for our body and our mind. For experienced practitioners it will be a great opportunity to refresh your understanding and practice with a wonderful teacher and practitioner, Acharya Lama Tenpa Gyaltsen.
This retreat aims to bring together people with all levels of experience in meditation–from brand-new to very experienced–to sit together supportively in equality.
Sitting quietly, connecting with a stable meditation posture, hearing profound instructions freshly in the present moment. These are all powerful tools to get in touch with our own wisdom and compassion. They are things we can do to support the development of calmness in our minds. With our minds at ease we can be of greater help to a world in need and to our loved ones. We hope this experience will bring benefits to you and go beyond.
On Friday, September 4, we will have an evening teaching by Acharya Lama Tenpa. And on Saturday, September 5, we will have 2 sessions–morning and afternoon as well as time for lunch on your own. Each session will begin with guided meditation, followed by a break and then teaching on meditation.
Register for Friday only, or the 2-days. Those attending on Saturday are encouraged to attend both sessions but, if that is not possible for you please reach out to us so we can accommodate you.
Mahamudra Meditation for All — a hybrid event
Schedule for 2-day retreat: (subject to change)
Friday, September 4th – Eastern Time Zone
7:00 – 8:30 pm Teaching by Acharya Lama Tenpa
Saturday September 5th – Eastern Time Zone
8:30 – 9:00 am Arrival for morning sessions
9:00 – 10:00 am Meditation with Acharya Lhakpa
10:00 – 10:15 am Break
10:15 – 11:45 am Teaching by Acharya Lama Tenpa
11:45 am – 1:00 pm Lunch break
1:00 – 1:15 pm Arrival for afternoon sessions
1:15 – 2:15 pm Contemplation with Mitra Mark
2:15 – 2:30 pm Break
2:30 – 4:00 pm Teaching by Acharya Lama Tenpa with Q&A and final remarks
4:00 – 4:30pm Clean up (everyone is welcome to help)
Where:
Balance Arts Center 151 W. 30th St, 3rd Floor, Room 1, New York, NY 10001
Accessibility: Wheelchair Accessible
Or on Zoom
Questions:
If you have questions about the program, please send a message to NBNYMahamudraRetreat@gmail.com
Recordings of the teachings will be available on a Resource page until December 7, 2025.
Our Teachers
Acharya Lama Tenpa Gyaltsen was born in Nepal and entered the monastery at age thirteen. In 1981, Lama Tenpa and Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche enrolled in the first class of Rumtek Monastery’s Karma Shri Nalanda Institute in Sikkim, India. Lama Tenpa completed his studies with an Acharya degree in 1991. Following his graduation, he taught Buddhist philosophy at the institute for two years. Under the guidance of Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, he then entered a three-year retreat in Pullahari, Nepal.
From 1997 to 2004, Lama Tenpa Gyaltsen was the resident teacher at H.H. the 17th Karmapa’s Theksum Tashi Chöling Center in Hamburg, Germany. Since 1998, Lama Tenpa has also been one of the main teachers at Nitartha Institute. Acharya Lama Tenpa Gyaltsen is a professor of Buddhist studies and Tibetan language at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, and teaches regularly at Nalandabodhi centers around the world.
Acharya Lhakpa Tshering was born in Bhutan and entered monastic school at age 12. In 1993, he enrolled at Rumtek Monastery’s Karma Shri Nalanda Institute in Sikkim, India. During his final years as a student, he served as an assistant teacher and member of the student welfare committee. In 2002, Acharya Lhakpa graduated with a master’s (Acharya) degree in buddhist studies. He then served as co-librarian, with Dilyak Drupon Rinpoche, and teacher at Karma Shri Nalanda Institute, and as an editor for Nitartha Publications in Kathmandu, Nepal. In 2006, Acharya Lhakpa moved to Nalanda West in Seattle, Washington, where he continues to support students as a resident teacher. He is also a visiting teacher at Nalandabodhi centers across the northeastern and central United States, as well as Brazil.
In Buddhism, the term “Acharya” generally refers to a senior teacher. It’s a title of respect for those who have received extensive training and attained a high level of knowledge and experience in Buddhist teachings and practices,
Mitra Mark Power has been a student of the Dharma for several decades and has studied with Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche since the early 1990s. Over the years, Mark served in a variety of leadership and service roles within Nalandabodhi. In 2005, he was appointed as a teacher (Mitra) and made a member of the Mitra Council where his focus is the Path of Mindful Activity — the intersection of dharma and daily life. Currently, Mark serves as dean of the Mitra Council.
Mark worked for many years as a chaplain and palliative care consultant in healthcare settings. In 2014, he broadened his focus to include life-transition and executive coaching. Mark is a partner in Awareness Enabled Life Positioning, a professional development company in China whose programs leverage experiential awareness, kindness, and creativity as key strengths of the business leader.
Mark, who resided in Seattle for 15 years, moved to New York in 2014, where he now lives in the Hudson Valley town of Red Hook with his wife Marion. They have two kind and creative adult daughters, a very hip son-in-law, and a much doted on granddaughter and grandson!
No one will be turned away for lack of funds. If at the moment you can’t afford the discounted rate please email: NBNYMahamudraRetreat@gmail.com
Date/Time
Date(s) - Fri., September 4, 2026 - Sat., September 5, 2026
All Day
Location HYBRID Nalandabodhi NY at Balance Art Center + on Zoom
