The great Rimay master Ju Mipham, who was like Manjusri in person, composed an overview of the key points of tantra—Osel Nyingpo; Essential Luminosity—as a companion guide to Longchenpa’s extensive commentary on the Guhyagarbha Tantra, the primary source of secret mantra practice in the Nyingma tradition.

Mipham’s work explains, thoroughly and lucidly, everything you might want and ought to know, in order to practice tantra in this tradition. While clearly the work of a master scholar, Essential Luminosity is not an academic treatise, but a practitioner’s source book.

In particular, he explains the uncommon meaning and function of eleven vajra points according to this system:

The VIEW of reality, unwavering SAMADHI; and sustained CONDUCT;

MANDALA structure, progressive stages of EMPOWERMENT, and SAMAYAS to be guarded;

PRACTICE engagement, furnishing OFFERINGS (puja), and partaking in ACTIVITY;

binding MUDRAS, and MANTRA recitation.

Each year from 2010 to 2012, at Tulku Sherdor’s invitation, Riwoche Khenpo Sonam Topgyal Rinpoche taught Mipham’s text in a week-long intensive course to a small, private group at Blazing Wisdom Institute. Tulku translated extemporaneously in clear and cogent English, and was the kyorpon (teaching assistant) for the review sessions each day.

A few years ago, Tulku Sherdor taught a weekend program on this text at the invitation of Tulku Sangngag Tenzin Rinpoche in Nepal. He realized then that there is simply no satisfactory way to do justice to its many remarkable points without offering a full transmission.

With the aim of reaching and assisting students globally, especially those who may not have had the chance to access these comprehensive English instructions otherwise, Tulku Sherdor will present an online course at a self-paced arrangement. The course will entail accessing recorded sessions, ideally at a rate of one session per week. If you join the course, you will have unlimited access to video recordings saved online.

Furthermore, it's important to note that while the course has been adapted to a self-paced online format, the accessibility to the content will ultimately be subject to Tulku Sherdor's discretion, contingent upon fulfillment of the necessary prerequisites.

There will be a simple application process, and a few prerequisites for those interested to participate. To find out more about the course and how to apply, please write to [email protected]

Essential Requirements and Guidelines for Enrolling in Our Mipham Course

1. Tantric Empowerment:
   • Applicants must have received genuine tantric empowerment in Nyingma tradition (Kama or Terma).
   • Specify empowerment details and bestower information.
2. Course Registration:
   • Commit in writing not to share course materials or login info with non-enrolled individuals.
3. Course Completion Effort:
   • Participants expected to complete the entire course.
   • Watch each video twice, review outlines, and engage in the content.
4. Email Seminar Questions:
   • Email-based questions allowed, tied to covered material.
5. Translation Neutrality:
   • Institute neutral on using published translations for study.
6. Tuition Waivers/Rewards:
   • Tuition waivers considered individually, seek external funds first.
7. Dana Contribution:
   • Participants can offer dana beyond the course fee.
   • Support others unable to afford the course.
8. Secrecy Commitment:
   • Pledge in writing not to breach Lama, sangha, or center secrecy.
   • No sharing of course materials/weblinks without enrollment.
9. Payment Instructions:
   • Payment details provided after completing above steps.