Vajrayana - The Mandala Principle - ONLINE COURSE

Join us for an 8-week in-depth historical and philosophical overview of Vajrayana and an exploration of the mandala principle as a guiding framework for understanding and embodying the richness of the Vajrayana path. 

The rise of the Vajrayana teachings was marked by key social developments including the rise of the feminine, social diversity, and the ideal of the siddha or householder yogin. A central aspect of the teachings focus on cultivating sacred view and how to use the mandala as a map of totality in both our inner and outer worlds. With this emphasis on sacred world and sacred view, the Tantric Buddhist path includes and integrates all aspects of life, including the full range of sensory and sensual experience as we practice in the embodiment of our Buddha nature. 

During this online course with Karla Jackson-Brewer, students will receive 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/ Sutrayana- Walking the Buddha’s Path to Genuine Happiness Online Course and the Mahayana Retreat/ Mahayana- Opening the Heart of Compassion Online Course. 

The weekly program will consist of a two-hour lecture by Karla Jackson-Brewer and two 2-hour meditation practice sessions. Students may choose to attend either one or both sessions each week. One practice will be led by Karla Jackson-Brewer and the other by Lisa Erickson, the assistant teacher for the course.

Note: This program was formerly known as the Vajrayana Retreat at Tara Mandala and fulfills the same requirement. It is required for the Magyu: The Mother Lineage Program, the Gateway Program, and as recommended on a case by case basis for the Ösel Nyingtig Program.  

The requirements to receive credit for this course are as follows: 

• View all teaching sessions (in-person or via recording) 
• Attend at least one 2-hour meditation session each week 
• Pass the final exam: scheduled for October 30, 2022
• PLEASE NOTE: At least one of the weekly meditation sessions needs to be attended LIVE (not by recording).  Exceptions may be requested in advance from the teacher. 

Optional Exam: October 30, 2022

Prerequisites:  This course is open to practitioners who have already attended and completed the Sutrayana Retreat/ Sutrayana- Walking the Buddha’s Path to Genuine Happiness Online Course and the Mahayana Retreat/ Mahayana- Opening the Heart of Compassion Online Course. 

What Will I Learn?

• Learn the historical and practical elements of the Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle), including the mandala principle, the 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 Is This Course For? 

This teaching is suitable for students who have already completed Sutrayana and Mahayana as either a retreat or online course. Completion of this program fulfills the requirement of the Vajrayana retreat for Magyu: The Mother Lineage Program, the Gateway Program, and as recommended on a case by case basis for the Ösel Nyingtig Program.

This Course Includes:

• Eight (8) live Zoom teaching and discussion sessions with TM senior teacher Karla Jackson-Brewer (2 hrs each)
• Two (2-hr) live Zoom weekly practice sessions, led by either Karla or Lisa Erickson for the course (attendance at one session per week is required)
• Practice log to record daily practice sessions (required)
• Friendly weekly quizzes to assess progress
• Audio and video recordings of each teaching session (access for one year)
• Summary overview of each teaching session’s topics
• Tsog celebration & final practice – This 3-hour session will include the final practice session for the course, followed by the Tsog celebration on Sunday, Nov. 6th from 10:00am – 1:00pm (MT)

Tiered-Prices

Tara Mandala is working to expand opportunities for access to Buddhist teachings and practices while offering an equity-informed fee structure when possible. With our new tiered pricing, we strive to make the Dharma more accessible to all while furthering the important conversations that must happen around current structures that inhibit equal access to underprivileged communities. We encourage you to select the registration tier at the highest level within your capacity to assist Tara Mandala in covering the costs of offering these wonderful teachings while also benefiting from access to the recordings of the teachings. We thank you in advance for your support and your practice!

$546 – Tier 1 
Registration at this level covers the basic costs for this course and allows Tara Mandala to maintain sustainability.

$655 – Tier 2 
Registration at this level covers the program costs for this course and provides additional support for the year-round work of Tara Mandala.

$355 – Access Level 
Registration at this level is offered below the cost of holding this course to assist participants with financial limitations and encourage the exploration and practice of dharma.

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 online program. To learn more about dana and suggested dana ranges, please click here. 

Payment Plans and Financial Assistance

Tara Mandala offers two types of financial assistance: Deferred Payment Plans and Scholarships. You may apply for one or both of these types of assistance. Read the terms carefully as outlined on the financial aid application. Please see this page for further information.

Sustaining Sangha:

If you are currently a member of our Sustaining Sangha, you may apply your Online Course discount to this course.

Click Here for Our Cancellation and Refund Policy

Webcast Schedule
Teaching Sessions – Fridays, 9:00am-11:00am MT (Mountain Time)
Click here to see how this converts to your time zone.

• September 9
• September 16
• September 23
• September 30
• October 7
• October 14
• October 21
• October 28 

Practice Sessions:
Meditation practice sessions will take place twice a week between September 10th and November 1st.

Live attendance at one meditation practice session per week is required.
Sessions with Karla: Tuesdays 7:00-9:00am MT 

Sessions with Lisa: Saturdays 9:00-11:00am MT
Optional Study Group 11:00-12:00pm MT (immediately follows the meditation practice)