What is Tantra?
Tantra means different things in different religious and spiritual traditions. In the Vajrayana tradition of Buddhism, tantra is understood as the fruitional path, meaning that enlightenment is not something that happens in the future — it is present here and now.
A Teaching for the Modern World
In a culture where we are constantly bombarded with messages that we are just not good enough, no matter what we do, self-loathing can become almost second nature. We can develop deep-seated negative perceptions of ourselves that then have a ripple effect, making us inclined to see the worst in others and treat one another with indifference, lack of empathy, or even contempt. Tantric or Vajrayana Buddhism, however, offers us profound methods to break free from deep-rooted conditioning and recognize ourselves and one another for who we truly are.
About the Transmission
Transmission holds a profound place in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Passed down in an unbroken lineage from teacher to student since the time of the Buddha, transmissions represent living expressions of the deepest truths that we gain through meditation.
We ourselves now have the rare opportunity to connect with this profound lineage and receive transmissions directly from Mingyur Rinpoche through progressive online courses and a series of live retreats. At the heart of this year’s transmission and the Vajrayana tradition is pure perception — to see ourselves, others, and the world around us as innately perfect. In order to do this, we practice what are known as the development and completion stages, through which we come to gain certainty in our buddha nature, i.e., that we are enlightened from the very start.
We ourselves now have the rare opportunity to connect with this profound lineage and receive transmissions directly from Mingyur Rinpoche through progressive online courses and a series of live retreats. At the heart of this year’s transmission and the Vajrayana tradition is pure perception — to see ourselves, others, and the world around us as innately perfect. In order to do this, we practice what are known as the development and completion stages, through which we come to gain certainty in our buddha nature, i.e., that we are enlightened from the very start.
Vajrayana Online Courses
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Voices of Tantra
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Essence of Tantra
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The Heart of Tantra Immersion
Resources
Creation and Completion: Essential Points of Tantric Meditation
by Jamgön Kongtrul
translated by Sarah Harding
commentary by Thrangu Rinpoche
Join Vajrayana Online
$2500
If your circumstances hinder your ability to pay the standard rate, you may choose the reduced rate.
-
10-day free trial
-
25+ courses included
$5000
The standard rate will cover the basic costs of offering the program.
-
10-day free trial
-
25+ courses included
-
$7500
Your generosity will help us to offer a discounted rate to those in need of financial assistance.
-
10-day free trial
-
25+ courses included
-
Includes free access to the Joy of Living online program
$2083
If your circumstances hinder your ability to pay the standard rate, you may choose the reduced rate.
-
10-day free trial
-
25+ courses included
$4167
The standard rate will cover the basic costs of offering the program.
-
10-day free trial
-
25+ courses included
-
$6250
Your generosity will help us to offer a discounted rate to those in need of financial assistance.
-
10-day free trial
-
25+ courses included
-
Includes free access to the Joy of Living online program
Why Should I Attend?
Participants will learn how to cultivate bodhichitta (the heartfelt desire to help all beings discover their true nature), utilize the imagination and subtle body as tools for transformation, employ mantras as a means for developing on the path, and practice sadhana — deity practice — that helps see things as they truly are. No matter what stage of the path you are at, this transmission will bring deep wisdom and purpose to your experience. It also represents a rare opportunity to receive these teachings from an unbroken lineage of masters who have integrated them fully into their everyday lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the development and completion stage?
Development and completion stage practice is widely understood to be the heart of tantric practice in the Vajrayana tradition. It can be divided into three aspects: the development stage in which you work with the imagination to view yourself as a deity and the environment as a pure realm; the completion stage with signs in which you work with the subtle body to help transform the mind; and the completion stage without signs in which you directly familiarize yourself with ultimate reality — the true nature of your mind.
What is tantra?
Tantra means different things in different religious and spiritual traditions. In the West, it has often been associated with practices of a sexual nature. In Vajrayana Buddhism, however, tantra is understood as the fruitional path, meaning that enlightenment is not something that happens in the future, but present here and now. In other words, the practice is to recognize that you are already a buddha and practice the various methods of the tantric path in order to stabilize that recognition.
What is sadhana?
Sadhana is the common term used to describe the development stage practice of the Vajrayana, including the imagination of oneself as a deity, mantra recitation, the recitation of the practice liturgy, and so on.
What is bodhichitta?
Bodhichitta is the altruistic motivation and commitment to become a fully realized buddha, in order to help all beings realize their own true nature and become buddhas themselves.
Do I have to be a Buddhist to join the transmission?
This transmission includes courses and events open to all who wish to better understand the Buddhist tradition, its practices, and the workings of the mind.
What does it mean to receive a transmission?
“Transmission” is a traditional term that refers to a set of meditation
teachings that is passed down from a teacher to a student or group of
students. In the Tergar context, “transmission” means that Mingyur
Rinpoche passes on important lineage teachings to students so that we
can recognize the buddha within and stabilize this recognition. In
addition to teachings and meditation instructions, a transmission may
include other elements that can help make the teachings more
experiential for us such as reading transmissions (lung) for important texts, empowerments (wang), and opportunities to receive vows.
Do I have to have prior experience in meditation?
Prior experience in meditation is suggested but not required for these open events and courses. Mingyur Rinpoche teaches in a highly relatable way, so much of this transmission is based on exploring our lived experience. If you wish to acquire a foundation for these practices, attending a Joy of Living program online is a good option.
Can I join at any time?
You can join Vajrayana Online at any time. New material will be released monthly, and you can engage in it at your own pace. In the case of the online retreats with Mingyur Rinpoche, however, it is highly recommended that you attend the live events at events.tergar.org rather than watch the recordings. Recordings will be made available, but only for a limited time.
What if I miss part of the year-long transmission? Can I still participate?
Absolutely! The elements of the transmission function together as a cohesive whole, but each one also stands alone. Join in whatever elements work for you!
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