[EVW626] Entering the Vajra World: A Three-Yana Retreat

About the Retreat

Hosted by the Three Yanas Society and Drala Mountain Center

“The quality and experience of the faculty was unparalleled. Absolutely incredible. Cannot imagine a better way to connect deeply with the teachings of Chögyam Trungpa than through his longtime closest students.”
—2024 Retreat Participant Comment

Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche was one of the most influential Buddhist teachers of the 20th century. He encouraged deep training in meditation, study, and community life. His approach was ground-breaking, leading students through the three yanas (vehicles) and drawing on the profundity of the mahamudra and maha ati traditions.

The first Entering the Vajra World Retreat offered participants a contemporary version of the deep training that Trungpa Rinpoche offered to his students. You can read some of the participants’ evaluations of the 2025 retreat below.

Deep Training in Trungpa Rinpoche’s Tradition

Trungpa Rinpoche’s methods for training students were unique, profound, and effective, especially as they manifested in the three-month Vajradhatu Seminaries. First and foremost of these methods was an emphasis on the intensive practice of shamatha-vipashyana meditation, especially in group practice. This was always the backbone of the training.

The practice of meditation was enhanced by deep study and contemplation of the three-yana teachings. The cumulative insights of the path of individual liberation, the bodhisattva path of wisdom and compassion, and the path of indestructible wakefulness were each presented fully in their own light, perfumed by the flavor of the profound view of maha ati.

Meditation and study were further enhanced in post-meditation by a variety of skillful methods, including the contemplative arts, protector practice, and especially the binding factor of a sangha making a deep journey together.

The Entering the Vajra World retreat continues Trungpa Rinpoche’s tradition by embodying these methods. The retreat is offered to anyone who wishes to enter the vajrayana in Trungpa Rinpoche’s tradition, provided they have sufficient meditation experience to benefit from an intensive, month-long retreat. Practitioners from any dharma tradition are warmly welcome.

Who Should Attend?

This 2026 summer retreat is being offered to any Buddhist practitioner who wants to enter the vajrayana in Trungpa Rinpoche’s tradition. You can visit our website to learn more and to apply for the retreat.

We welcome participants from diverse backgrounds. While this program will emphasize the Kagyü and Nyingma paths as presented by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, students of any genuine Buddhist tradition are encouraged to attend. Participants in this retreat will have committed to studying and practicing Buddhism and have completed previous immersive periods of meditation practice.

Please feel free to check out this program’s FAQ.

Why Did Past Participants Love this Leadership Retreat?

“This was a powerful and intimate experience of dharma and community life. Rarely do we see sangha groups operate with this level of coordination, care, kindness and profundity together.”

“The primary purposes of the retreat for me were to have time to meditate, be on the land, visit the stupa often, and to receive pointing out instructions so that I could enter the vajrayana and begin ngondro practice in a supported way. The retreat met all of those goals. I have been drawn along on the dharma path by my deep hearted connection to Chogyam Trungpa, and so how glorious to be with so many others who share that heart connection!”

“The quality and experience of the faculty was unparalleled. Absolutely incredible. Cannot imagine a better way to connect deeply with the teachings of Chögyam Trungpa than through his longtime closest students. Great opportunity to meet and speak with the faculty individually and in small group settings to deepen the understanding and connection to the teachings.”

“You held the container beautifully. So many details, humor, rigor, gentleness, hospitality and grace. 2nd two weeks was drinking from the fire hose, but on reflection – I think any less would not have been as expansive and inviting. So much to work with now! Thank you.”

“The creation of a wellness team was brilliant–so thoughtful, kind and caring. That gesture really set a warm and nurturing tone. It was very wise and efficient to highlight the varied expertise of the participants as a way to enrich the environment. It made it more collaborative, too.”

“Sitting in a room with 60-100 people of like mind after so many years of being lost in the proverbial wilderness was so amazing! I thought I could do my practice alone but listening to the sound of a sangha practicing together made me realize I need to hear that, and often.“

“I appreciated the diversity of teaching styles and approaches among the faculty. I think it is important to maintain diversity among the faculty to help make sure that at least some of it resonates strongly with every person in an inevitably diverse group of students.”

Application Process

To ensure the best possible experience for everyone, this is the process for applying to the retreat:

Application – click the link below to visit the 3yanas.org website and submit your application.
https://www.3yanas.org/
Get a letter of recommendation from a meditation instructor or Buddhist mentor (instructions will be sent to you upon receipt of your application).
Have a conversation with one of the retreat faculty about your background and readiness for the commitment of this retreat.
When these requirements are completed, you will be provided with a link to register with Drala Mountain Center.

Retreat Faculty

Larry Mermelstein

Beginning in 1971, Larry Mermelstein became a close student of the Venerable Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Tibetan Buddhist meditation master and scholar. He has served as a senior teacher in the Vajradhatu/Shambhala community for decades. He is a founding member and the executive director of the Nalanda Translation Committee for over forty years and is a […]

Andy Karr

Andy Karr has practiced and studied the dharma for over fifty years under the guidance of such masters as Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso Rinpoche. He is the author of Into the Mirror: A Buddhist Journey through Mind, Matter, and the Nature of Reality and Contemplating Reality. He is also the coauthor of […]

Adrienne Chang

Adrienne Chang has studied in the tradition of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche for over fifteen years, helping co-lead Shambhala and Buddhist meditation retreats and study courses in Europe, North America, and online. Adrienne is currently a member of the Milinda program, a ten-year, inter-sangha, shedra-styled Buddhist teacher training program under the guidance of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, […]

Lodging

We have several accommodations to choose from during checkout.
All options include our healthy meals and drinks. Inc V, VG, GF.

Dormitories
Rooms with beds for up to 7-8 people. Gender-segregated with men in their own dorm and women in another. The dorms use a shared bathroom down the hall, which is also equipped with shower stalls.

Monk Rooms
A cost-effective option for participants looking for indoor, solitary lodging, but who don’t mind using a shared bathroom or are looking for a more affordable retreat solution. These rooms are in the same hall as the Ridgen Dormitories, but offer more privacy than the dorms. In addition to a bed, bedding, a private room and closet, the monk rooms also have a large window and a desk and desk chair for added comfort.

Single and Double Rooms
The perfect choice for a retreat where you want both your own space and your own bathroom. Each room offers a little more space, a dresser and closet, and a 3/4s bathroom (toilet, sink, and shower, no bathtub) attached to each room.