The Complete Path: Third Year Program

The Complete Path Program was organized by International Buddhist Academy (IBA) to make the teachings of Sakya tradition available in structured way under the guidance of His Holiness Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, the 42nd Sakya Trizin. The program was designed to help Dharma students receive a complete series of important teachings from one of the principle lineage holders of Tibetan Buddhism over a period of seven years in a gradual and comprehensive manner.

Minnesota Sakya Center is one of the international participating partner centers of The Complete Path Program, and Khenpo Thupten Gongphel is a qualified teacher to teach the first three levels of the program in the United States. 

The Third Year Program at Minnesota Sakya Center

The program offered by Minnesota Sakya Center includes 8 weekly teachings and 3-day retreat* covering the uncommon Ngondro practice. The Ngondro text “The Excellent Path of the Two Accumulations” with supplementary notes will be available to everyone during the retreat.

Program Schedule

Studies with Khenpo Gongphel at Khenpo’s MN residence
(Sunday mornings @10-11:30am CT): Registration and Authorization by Khenpo Gongphel are REQUIRED. And the space is limited. Please email admin@mnsakyacenter.org for authorization.

Nov/10, Nov/17, Nov/24
Dec/01, Dec/08 , Dec/15
Jan/05, Jan/12 

Online Classes*
Registration Required
(Monday evenings @8pm CT/9pm ET):

Nov/11, Nov/18, Nov/25
Dec/02, Dec/09, Dec/16
Jan/06, Jan/13

*To join the online class: https://zoom.us/j/9540557888

You can join the audio via phone or via computer.
Audio by phone > Dial by your location:
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 954 055 7888

Note: Clear Lamp is a helpful book. It is 685 pages, hard bound and costs US$45, plus postage. Students could purchase it themselves via perera.timothy@gmail.com. 

Retreat Registration

TCP Year 3 Retreat January 18-20, 2020

*ONLY available to TCP year 3 participants who previously received a 2-day major empowerment from a qualified Sakya master.

Online Registration is required. Detailed information of the retreat will be sent to registered participants individually.

Who is qualified to receive The Complete Path (TCP) Year 3 certificate from Minnesota Sakya Center?

You have attended TCP Year 1 and 2, or completed them online, and you have 75% participation in the Year 3 program offered by Minnesota Sakya Center, and participation in retreat is required.

Who is qualified to attend TCP Year 4?

The prerequisite for attending TCP Year 4 is either of the following:

You have attended TCP Years 1 and 2, or completed them online, AND attended TCP Year 3, OR you have attended TCP Year 1, or completed it online, AND received Lamdre

Date of TCP Year 4: 7/24/2020 to 8/18/2020

Location of TCP Year 4: International Buddhist Academy, Kathmandu

Who will be able to stay at IBA?

Due to the limited number of rooms at IBA, it has been decided to give priority for those rooms to students who have already stayed at IBA for 2 or 3 years of TCP, as well as to our vital translators and AV technician.

Please contact us at info@mnsakyacenter.org for other accommodation information if you are considering going to attend TCP Year 4 program at International Buddhist Academy.

Outline of The Complete Path Program at IBA

2017    Clarifying the Sage‘s Intent by the Great Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyaltsen
2018    The Three Visions by Ngorchen Khönchog Lhundrup
2019    Hevajra cause empowerment and preliminaries  – teachings and practice
2020    A General Presentation of the Tantras  and The Tree of Clear Realization, part 1 by Lopön Sönam Tsemo
2021    The Tree of Clear Realization, part 2 by Jetsün Dragpa Gyaltsen
2022    Hevajra Root Tantra
2023    Hevajra meditation instructions based on the Lamdre teachings

(Click here for details of the program at IBA.)