Vajrayana Retreat: The Mandala Principle - VIRTUAL RETREAT

The rise of the Vajrayana was marked by key social developments including the rise of the feminine, social diversity and the ideal of the siddha or householder yogin. With its emphasis on sacred world and sacred view, the Tantric Budhhist path includes and integrates all aspects of life, including the full range of sensory and sensual experience. 

This retreat offers an historical and philosophical overview of the Vajrayana and explores the mandala principle as a guiding framework for understanding and embodying the richness of the Vajrayana path.

This retreat comprises the third set of teachings that complete Tara Mandala’s foundational teachings on the historical and contemplative development of Buddhism. It is open to practitioners who have already attended and completed the Sutrayana retreat (Walking the Buddha’s Path to Genuine Happiness) and Mahayana retreat (Opening the Heart of Compassion). 

In this retreat you will have the opportunity to:

• Learn the historical and practical elements of the Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle), including the mandala principle, dakinis, and deity yoga. 
• Receive teachings and transmissions for two meditation practices on the mandala developed by Lama Tsultrim: The Mandala of the Five Buddhas and The Yab Yum Mandala of the Male and Female Buddhas.

Who Should Attend? 

• This is a required retreat for the Magyu Mother Lineage Program and the Gateway Program, and is suggested for practitioners in the Ösel Nyingtig path.
• This retreat is open to all practitioners who have attended and completed the Sutrayana retreat (Walking the Buddha’s Path to Genuine Happiness) and Mahayana retreat (Opening the Heart of Compassion). 

What To Expect?

• An optional oral exam will be given at the end of the retreat. 

What is a Virtual Retreat?

Virtual Retreats are Tara Mandala At-Home intensive retreats, teachings and in-depth workshops during which practitioners receive dharma teachings, engage in guided practice, experience hands-on learning, and connect with other participants through an easy-to-use online platform (Zoom) during consecutive days (with few exceptions) and daylong offerings. This modality of learning is appropriate for practitioners who are able to create a practice container of their own, setting aside a dedicated retreat space, removing themselves from social media, and taking care of necessities with the mind of compassion in action for the specific dates and times that the teachings occur. 

Virtual Retreats are meant to be attended live given that direct transmission (Tib. lung) may be given. However, access to recordings of the sessions are available for additional viewing for various timeframes specified by the price level selected.

Tiered-Prices

Tara Mandala offers tiered pricing for all virtual retreats to allow participants the opportunity to consider offering additional financial support for Tara Mandala while gaining greater access to the recordings of the teachings post-retreat. These are difficult times for everyone, and Tara Mandala is no exception. We encourage you to select at the highest level within your capacity to assist Tara Mandala in covering the costs to offer these wonderful teachings. We thank you in advance for your support and your practice!

$478 – Tier 1 (includes access to recordings of all sessions for up to 7 days from the end of the retreat)
Registration at this level covers the basic costs of holding this specific retreat. 

$588 – Tier 2 (includes access to recordings of all sessions for up to 30 days from the end of the retreat)
Registration at this level covers basic costs of this retreat and supports the year round staff at Tara Mandala.

$645 – Tier 3 (includes access to recordings of all sessions for up to 1 year from the end of the retreat)
Registration at this level covers basic costs for this retreat, supports year around staff as well as facilities maintenance and other critical operational needs.

Choosing Tier 2 or Tier 3 levels will allow Tara Mandala Retreat Center to continue to operate, be a repository for wisdom literature, a center for translation, a beacon for the feminine in Buddhism, and an active dharma center that provides refuge for deep practice and transformation.

There are many ways to support and engage with Tara Mandala’s activities. Click here to learn more. We appreciate your support and generosity! 

Offering dana to the teacher: The practice of offering dana, which means “generosity,” is the traditional offering the student makes to the teacher as a symbol of appreciation, gratitude, and reciprocity for receiving the precious teachings. Information on offering dana to the teacher will be provided during the virtual retreat. To learn more about dana and suggested dana ranges, please click here.

Payment Plans and Financial Assistance
Tara Mandala has two scholarship funds and offers deferred payment plans as resources for anyone with financial limitations. For more information and to apply, visit our Scholarships and Financial Assistance Page.

VIRTUAL RETREAT SCHEDULE

Listed times are the online portions of the retreat. All times are Mountain Time. 

Please use this link to see how this daily schedule translates into your timezone.

Thursday, August 5:
9:00am – 11:00am MT: Teaching Session
12:30pm – 2:30pm MT: Teaching Session
3:30pm – 4:15pm MT: Practice Session

Friday – Monday: August 6 – 9
7:00am – 7:45am MT: Practice Session
9:00am – 11:00am MT: Teaching Session
12:30pm – 2:30pm MT: Teaching Session
3:30pm – 4:15pm MT: Practice Session

Tuesday: August 10
9:00am – 11:00am MT: Closing Session and Tsog (Ritual Feast)