Question asked by Jenny
Dear Pastors,
I have a few questions about Ngondro: Is every Buddhist doing those 4 practices (prostrations, Mandala offering,…) or mainly Buddhist monks? I would like to start with the prostrations soon and am preparing an altar for this.
Can I simultaneously do the mandala offering, for example after doing the prostrations or do I have to finish all the practices one by one first?
Is there anything else I need to start these practices?
Thank you!
Jenny
Dear Jenny,
Ngöndro means the preliminary practices performed at the beginner stage of the Vajrayana path. Its purpose is to train the mind for the visualization and meditation practices of the more advanced stages of Vajrayana. Both lay and ordained people engage in these practices.
These practices are done one at a time and you need to request your guru’s blessing before you start. For the retreat text and prayers, please consult a pastor in Kechara House.