Developing Stage:

In Drukpa Kagyu, the main practices for Developing Stage - The Visualization Part of Deity Practices - or 'Khe-Rim' in Tibetan ('Rim' means stage, 'Khe' means creating or developing) are:

1. Two Arms Chakrasamvara in single form

2. Twelve Arms Chakrasamvara in union form

3. Vajrayogini

4. Vajrapani

5. Four Arms Mahakala

The above deity practices are compulsory in our retreat practices.

There are also four other Buddhas practices which are extensively practice in our lineage:

1. Buddha Akshobhya

2. Buddha Vajrasattva

3. Buddha Amitayus

4. Four Arms Chenrezig

Buddha Akshobhya and Buddha Vajrasattva practices are more widely practice in our monastery as Dechen Choekhor hold the main lineage of these practices and had kept it intact and unbroken through our diligence and perseverance for over 500 years.

Completion Stage:

For the Completion Stage or the Inner Practices of Meditation:

We use Mahamudra as View;

In order to realize the view,

We use Six Yogas of Naropa as Method;

In order to dealt with the meditation and view,

We apply Six Equal Taste as Conduct.

Along with the view, meditation and conduct, we also practice 'The Seven Interdependent Practices'.

Guru Yoga:

In Drukpa Kagyu, the most vital and essential of all practices is the practice of Guru Yoga, which is very intensively practice in our lineage.

Only with the blessing of one's Guru, through his presence, his teachings, and his guidance, is capable of fully ripening and liberating our minds before we could understand the deeper meaning of Mahamudra and realize our true nature of mind.

In our lineage, there is special Guru Yoga Retreat Practices for 4 months, 7 months and Lama Kusum Guru Yoga Practices for 3 years 3 months. This is not a common or ordinary Guru Yoga but a very profound and complete practice unique to Drukpa Kagyu which includes Yogas and Inner Tummo Practices.

These are only methods, however in Vajrayana, the only way to realize the true nature of mind is only through realizing and seeing one's guru as Lama Dorje Chang, the ultimate Buddha. Until one develop the genuine unshakable devotion and seeing one guru as the living embodiment of the realization and compassion of all Buddhas, there is no way one could achieve the inner realisation of the ultimate Dharma. Seeing or dealing with a human master, one can never attain the ultimate wisdom.

Other Practices:

The above are Dechen Choekhor's main Drukpa Kagyu Practices. Our monastery not only practice Drukpa Kagyu Practices, but also engages in substantial Nyingma Practices such as:

1. Shitro 100 Deities

2. Vajrakilaya

3. Chimey Phagma

In Dechen Choekhor Tibet, our monks are trained even more widely in other Nyingma practices. We shall provide more explanation on these practices when time and conditions permit.

Note to Reader:

Some readers might be confused by the term "Kagyu" vs "Kargyu" use in this website. Below are the short explanations on the actual denotation of these 2 terms. However, nowadays Drukpa 'Kargyu' and Drukpa 'Kagyu' are used interchangeably in English media.

Kagyu -  can be translated as "The Lineage of the Oral Instructions." The first syllable "Ka" refers to the scriptures of the Buddha and the oral instructions of the guru. "Ka" has the sense both of the enlightened meaning conveyed through the instructions of the realised master, as well as the power and the blessing such words of insight carries; and "gyu" simply means lineage or tradition. 

Kargyu - The Kar (white) Gyu (lineage) of Marpa, Milarepa, and their followers; many of which dressed in white robes. Kewang Sangye Dorje, one of the foremost disciples of Pema Karpo, suggested this name for our Drukpa Kargyu Lineage.