Vajrayogini Drupchö Retreat: Dakini & the Sacred Feminine

The Vajrayogini Drupchö is a rare and exquisite Tibetan Buddhist lineage practice that guides practitioners into the luminous heart of Vajravarahi—the embodiment of wisdom, compassion, fierce clarity, and fearless transformation.
Vajrayogini, the Mother of All Buddhas and Queen of the Dakinis, is the awakened feminine in her most dynamic and radiant form. In the Drikung Kagyu lineage, Vajravarahi is held as one of the most sacred yidams, the source of profound pith instructions, and a wellspring of the lineage’s most precious accomplishment traditions.

Vajravarahi is revered in the Drikung Kagyu as the heart of our tantric path—guardian of practitioners, source of the yogic transmissions, and the embodiment of our lineage’s experiential approach to direct realization.

This sacred retreat invites us to awaken the enlightened feminine within, deepen our aspiration to benefit all beings, and connect with the powerful blessings of this beloved deity and lineage.

Under the guidance of Venerable Drupon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, we will engage in the group recitation of the Vajravarahi sādhana, creating a potent field of ritual, mantra, visualization, and meditation. Within this collective container, we meditate on the nature of mind in the form of Vajrayogini—generating profound merit, supporting one another’s practice, and dedicating all virtue to the welfare of all beings.

This retreat will include teachings from Ven. Drupon Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
Translation provided in:
• English – Virginia Blum
• Chinese – Rocco Cheng
• Spanish – Ana Sofia Sarquis
• French – Daniel Parkman

For centuries, the Drikung Kagyu has upheld annual Vajravarahi Drupchö and retreat cycles—an unbroken living tradition regarded as deeply blessed and exceptionally powerful. Below are some of the important ways Vajrayogini resides at the heart of our lineage:

The Central Role of Vajravarahi in the Drikung Kagyu Lineage

Vajravarahi — Central Yidam of the Drikung Kagyu

Vajravarahi (Dorje Phagmo) is the principal yidam of the Drikung Kagyu. Our Mahāsiddhas, lineage holders, and yogins have long relied on her practice as a swift and profound path to realization.

A Living Transmission from Naropa and Marpa

The Drikung Kagyu inherits the Vajravarahi lineage through:
• Naropa’s Vajravarahi teachings
• transmitted to Marpa Lotsawa
• passed through the early Kagyu masters
• and preserved within the Drikung lineage

These teachings form a core part of the Six Yogas of Naropa, one of the most essential tantric systems in the Kagyu tradition.

Embodiment of the Completion Stage Yogas

Vajravarahi is the essence of the completion-stage practices, including:
• inner heat (tummo)
• bliss and emptiness
• illusory body
• dream yoga
• clear light

Her practice is a swift path to realizing the union of bliss and emptiness.

Protector of the Lineage & Guide of Practitioners

As a lineage guardian, Vajravarahi offers practitioners:
• protection
• guidance
• empowerment
• and the removal of obstacles

Many Drikung accomplishments are attributed to her blessings.

Dakini of the “Practice Lineage” Identity

The Drikung Kagyu is known as the practice lineage (drub-lam), emphasizing direct experience, retreat, and yogic methods. Vajravarahi perfectly embodies this path through:
• fierce compassion
• direct realization
• experiential yogas
• the dakini’s transformative energy

She represents the lineage’s focus on realization in a single lifetime.

Heart of the Drikung Phowa Transmission

The renowned Drikung Phowa lineage is intimately connected with Vajrayogini/Vajravarahi, who guides consciousness at the moment of death toward liberation.

The Vajrayogini Drupchö retreat offers a precious space for collective practice, inner awakening, and profound transformation—dedicated to the liberation and benefit of all beings.

We warmly invite you to join us.

If you would like to make puja offerings to support the rituals and activities of this event, please visit: givebutter.com/VYEventOfferings

Vajrayogini Drupchö 2026

By Chicago Ratna Shri Sangha

Vajrayogini Drupchö 2026

February 27 - March 3