Mahamudra: A Song of Realization

The Ganges Mahamudra of the Mahasiddha Tilopa

From Tilopa to Mingyur Rinpoche: Experience Mahamudra Across Centuries in a Year-Long Transmission

Mahamudra is considered the most profound and direct path to awakening in the Kagyu school of Vajrayana Buddhism. This lineage of oral instructions enables individuals to recognize the clarity of awareness in every aspect of their lives.

1,000 years ago, the great master Tilopa sang a song of realization to his student Naropa, instructing him on the essential points of Mahamudra. This song, or doha in Sanskrit, has come to be known as The Ganges Mahamudra.
For the first time, Mingyur Rinpoche will offer teachings on the root verses of this Mahamudra text in English to a Western audience. We welcome you to join this precious transmission!
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Learning Path for 2023‒24 Transmission

The Tergar annual transmission is an offering of direct lineage teachings that can be absorbed through study and practice. Some of the offerings are open to all levels of students, while others may be restricted to those students meeting certain prerequisites.
You meet prerequisites to attend all teachings if:
  • Option 1: You have attended any in-person Tergar Path of Liberation Level 2 retreat with Mingyur Rinpoche or Khenpo Kunga
  • Option 2: You have received ngondro transmission and nature of mind pointing out from a qualified lineage teacher, and have at least 5 years of regular meditation practice

Vajrayana Online Courses

One will receive the core components of the transmission by following the Vajrayana Online course series.

Open to everyone

Voices of Mahamudra

With Mingyur Rinpoche, Elizabeth Callahan, Karl Brunnhölzl, and Lama Yeshe Gyamtso.

Open to everyone

Essence of Mahamudra

Introduction to the most profound and direct path to awakening in the Kagyu school of Vajrayana Buddhism.

Restricted

Mahamudra: A Song of Realization — Immersion

Mingyur Rinpoche teaches the root verses of Tilopa's Ganges Mahamudra.

Resources

Tilopa’s Wisdom
by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche

The Ganges Mahamudra Root Verses
by Tilopa


BECOME A MEMBER

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Your membership includes access to our full library of 25+ self-paced courses, weekly live sessions, webinars, personal interviews with Tergar guides, guided meditations, and much more. We aim to make Vajrayana Online accessible to everyone by providing three different pricing options. Feel free to choose the one that best suits your needs.
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  • 25+ courses included

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at $500/year after a 10-day free trial.
 Cancel anytime.

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The standard rate will cover the basic costs of offering the program.

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  • 25+ courses included

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at $750/year after a 10-day free trial.
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Your generosity will help us to offer a discounted rate to those in need of financial assistance.

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  • 25+ courses included
  • Includes free access to the Joy of Living online program
You will make the first payment after the free trial period. The membership will automatically be renewed in accordance with the frequency you have selected. You can cancel anytime, and no additional fees will be charged. For more questions about the subscription, please visit our FAQs section.

Tergar is committed to making the benefits of Buddhist teachings and practices available to everyone. If the membership rate of $25 USD per month is a hindrance for you financially, please do not hesitate to reach out to us via TLCSupport@tergar.org to ask for a further reduced rate. We offer financial assistance rates for certain countries, for students with limited budgets, and for the monastic community.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mahamudra?

Mahamudra, or “The Great Seal” in English,  is one of three nature of mind lineages within the Vajrayana, the other two being Dzogchen and Mahamadhyamaka. The Mahamudra lineage of the Kagyu School can be traced back to the great Indian mahasiddha Tilopa, who systematized the teachings he received from many gurus into what is now known as Mahamudra.

What does the term “song of realization” mean?

“Song of realization” is a translation of the Sanskrit word doha. In contrast to other texts, these songs were spontaneously sung by yogis and yoginis, known as siddhas, to share their spiritual realization for the benefit of the listener. These songs were written down afterward in an unedited fashion.

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!

Who is Tilopa?

Tilopa was a great yogi or mahasiddha living in India in the 10th and 11th centuries CE. He is most famous for being the founder of the Mahamudra lineage and the founding forefather of the Kagyu lineage. His most famous work is the Ganges Mahamudra, and his closest student was Naropa.

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 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.

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.

What do I do if I don’t meet the requirements for the restricted Immersion course?

Vajrayana Online will run the Nectar of the Path and Retreat courses with full support of Tergar guides. The Tergar guides will conduct weekly practice and discussion sessions. These live sessions are available as part of your Vajrayana Online subscription.

Alternatively, you might want to consider engaging in any of the other on-demand courses in Vajrayana Online or explore the Joy of Living program. Completing the full Joy of Living program and corresponding homework will qualify you to attend a Path of Liberation Levels 1 & 2 retreat in the future, where you can receive the pointing out instruction and transmissions required to join restricted Vajrayana Online courses.

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.

Tergar Lineage Society

The Tergar Lineage Society was established in 2021 to recognize generous students and community members who help support Tergar's mission. Lineage Society members play a critical role in making the annual lineage transmission possible, making contributions to support the development of courses and events, and expanding access to meditation training for all.

For centuries, offering important lineage transmissions has been a central part of Vajrayana Buddhism, and transmission patrons have been inspiring beacons of generosity. By making an annual gift of $7,500 or more, individuals who join the Lineage Society help ensure the vitality and authenticity of Mingyur Rinpoche’s experiential lineage.

“For example, it is like looking in the middle of the sky and not seeing anything.
In the same way, when your mind looks at your mind,
Thoughts stop and you will attain unsurpassable awakening.”
 — Tilopa’s Ganges Mahamudra