• Meditation, Classical Internal Arts and Qigong practice to nurture the development of tranquillity, insight and true vitality.
• Accumulation of the Four Foundation practices for the Ngondro practitioners of the Vajrayana Path.
• Buddhist ritual practices such as Vajrakilaya Puja, Mahakala Puja, Tara Puja, and Guru Yoga to speed up the removal of karmic obstacles and negative energies from one's lives.
• Dharma teaching on a wide range of subjects which introduces students to the effectiveness of the Buddhist approach on how to eliminate suffering and generate harmony in daily lives. This year's main teaching will be Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche's Classic text 'Khepai Tsulla Jugpai Go' - Entrance to the Ways of the Wise. Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche (1846-1912), also known as 'Mipham the Great' was a highly accomplished master in practice, learning, composition and teaching of the Nyingma Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. 'Khepai Tsulla Jugpai Go' is a condensed presentation of the Tripitaka (Three Baskets) and it's accompanying commentaries, which embodies the essence of Prajnaparamita (the Great Perfection of Wisdom), Madhyamika (Nagarjuna's Middle Way), and Abidharma (Metaphysics). This text is one of the major subjects that is being taught at the Nyingma Institute of Higher Studies at the Namdroling Monastery.
• The teaching will be conducted in English, and translation will be given in Chinese, Greek, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese.

At the conclusion of the first block of 4 days teaching of the retreat, which focuses on the course material of Dharma Foundation Study, Venerable Lama Dondrup Dorje will conduct a formal Refuge Ceremony for those who wish to take refuge. Taking Refuge is the first step to becoming a practising Buddhist, and while extensive teaching on refuge will be given at the retreat, prospective participants may wish to listen to the Audio Teachings by Lama Dondrup Dorje which explains the Truth of Taking Refuge.

The Classical Qigong practice as taught by Venerable Lama Dondrup Dorje is divided into 4 levels: Outer Level, Inner Level, Secret Level, Ultimate Level. The Outer Level is further divided into Common and Uncommon practices. Those who have taken refuge with Venerable Lama Dondrup Dorje will be eligible to receive instruction in both the Common and Uncommon levels of Classical Qigong. For those who have chosen not to take refuge, they are only eligible for the Common practices of the Outer Level of Classical Qigong.

There will be ample free periods in the afternoon for the students to relax by the beach, swim, snorkel, and to reflect on the morning's teachings.

To see for yourself what can be expected from attending the Pathgate Summer Retreat, a short film on the Pathgate Summer Retreat can be seen in the Pathgate Theatre. To see this film click the Dharma Theatre