Phowa
With Chagdud Khadro
August 7 - 10, 2025
With Chagdud Khadro
Registration for Colorado is Closed: Registration for Colorado is Closed
Register for Online Retreat: Register for Online Retreat
P’howa: Transferring Consciousness at the Time of Death
The ability to transfer consciousness into an exalted state at the moment of death allows us to live with less fear of dying. P’howa transforms death into an opportunity for liberation rather than it being merely a severance from what we have known and loved in life. It assures us that we won’t die in a state of spiritual uncertainty and drift helplessly after death. The signs of accomplishment can be gained relatively quickly without extensive retreat. One form of P’howa supports our own transition; another form allows us to support other persons who are dying.
Chagdud Khadro trained in P’howa extensively under His Eminence Chagdud Tulku, who authorized her to teach and to give the required empowerment. Her teachings have found a receptive audience not only among dharma students, but also among health professionals who are seeking new, more profound techniques to alleviate the pain and grief of those they work with. People of other faiths have likewise found the training of P’howa of great value. The lineage of Khadro’s P’howa training is from Rigdzin Longsal Nyingpo; the Amitabha Buddha empowerment is a treasure of Dudjom Lingpa.
Who Should Attend?
In-Person Program:
- Open to everyone. This program is part of the Magyu curriculum.
Online Program:
- Because the empowerment will not be livestreamed or recorded, the online program is open to those who have previously received an Amitabha or Chenrezig empowerment from any Lama or lineage.
- Because P’howa best practiced with a teacher in person, Chagdud Khadro suggests that online participants commit to receiving the P’howa training from another Lama in the future, or plan to practice with a Chagdud practice group.
- This program is part of the Magyu curriculum.
Note: Chagdud Khadro will offer the oral transmission (lung) for the P’howa practice. The empowerment (wang) will only be given during the in-person program and will not be livestreamed or recorded.
Program Tuition & Pricing
In-Person Program
| Level | Tuition | Room & Board Options |
|---|---|---|
| Sustaining Level | $495 | Commuting: $45 |
| Benefactor Level | $645 | Camping: $60 |
| Supported Level | $345 | Dorm Yurt: $75 |
| Prajna Double Twin: $120 | ||
| Prajna Single Queen: $210 |
Online Program
| Level | Tuition |
|---|---|
| Sustaining Level | $425 |
| Benefactor Level | $545 |
| Supported Level | $295 |
Payment Options & Financial Assistance
Installment Payment Plan: During registration, participants can pay in full or select the Installment Payment Plan. For the installment plan, a 25% deposit is required at registration, with the remaining balance automatically divided into equal monthly payments. The final payment is due 14 days before the program begins. For questions or special arrangements, contact the Finance Team at care@taramandala.org.
Sustaining Sangha: Current members may apply their retreat discount. Learn more about Sustaining Sangha membership here.
Financial assistance options and scholarship applications are available here.
Tentative Schedule
In-Person Schedule (Mountain Daylight Time)
Thursday, August 7, 2025
- 5:00 pm: Orientation
- 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm: Dinner & Karma Yoga
- 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Opening Gathering
Friday and Saturday, August 8-9, 2025
- 7:00 am – 8:00 am: Morning Practice
- 8:00 am – 9:30 am: Breakfast & Karma Yoga
- 10:00 am – 12:45 pm: Empowerment & Teaching Session
- 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm: Lunch & Karma Yoga
- 3:00 pm – 5:45 pm: Teaching Session
- 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm: Dinner & Karma Yoga
- 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Evening Guided Meditation
Sunday, August 10, 2025
- 8:00 am – 9:30 am: Breakfast
- 10:00 am – 12:45 pm: Teaching & Closing
- 1:00 pm: Lunch & Departure
Tentative Online Schedule (Mountain Daylight Time)
The live sessions of the program are listed below. All times are Mountain Daylight Time. Please use this link to view how this daily schedule is translated into your time zone.
Two lungs for the P’howa and Amitabha practices will be offered and livestreamed Sunday morning at 10am MDT. These lungs will NOT be recorded and must be attended live.
Thursday, August 7, 2025
- 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Opening Gathering
Friday, August 8, 2025
- 7:00 am – 8:00 am: Morning Practice
- 11:30 am – 12:45 pm: Teaching Session*
*The empowerment portion (approximately 10:00-11:30am) will not be livestreamed or recorded. The teaching session begins approximately 11:30am and will be recorded. - 3:00 pm – 5:45 pm: Teaching Session
- 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Evening Guided Meditation
Saturday, August 9, 2025
- 7:00 am – 8:00 am: Morning Practice
- 10:00 am – 12:45 pm: Teaching Session
- 3:00 pm – 5:45 pm: Teaching Session
- 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Evening Guided Meditation
Sunday, August 10, 2025
- 10:00 am – 12:45 pm: Oral Transmission (lung), Teaching, and Closing [RECORDING LINK]
Two lungs for the P’howa and Amitabha practices will be offered and livestreamed Sunday morning at 10am MDT. These lungs will NOT be recorded and must be attended live. This session’s recording will begin after the lungs have ended.
Use this link to see how the daily schedule translates into your timezone.
Preparation & Materials
To prepare for this retreat, you will need:
- A Mala, Bell & Vajra. These implements are available through our Dakini store. Note: it is not required that you have both of these items upon attending the retreat, however, eventually they are necessary to do the full practice.
- P’howa Practice Text:
- In-person participants: The P’howa practice text from Tibetan Treasures will be provided during the retreat.
- Online participants: A digital copy of the practice text will be provided after registration. Online participants are encouraged to purchase the physical P’howa practice text directly from Tibetan Treasures when it is back in stock, which will be by the end of August, 2025.
Suggested Books & Audio
- P’howa Commentary by Chagdud Khadro
- P’howa Practice Audio Download with H.E. Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche
- Life in Relation to Death by H.E. Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche
Recording Access
All participants (both in-person and online) will have 1-year access to the program recordings.
Dana Offering 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 program.
Suggested dana for this program: $60 – $180
Learn more about dana and suggested ranges here.
Tara Mandala Pricing Guidelines
As we work to become an equitable, diverse and inclusive community, our pricing guidelines are intended to be a map, inviting each of us to take inventory of resources that contribute to our access to precious dharma teachings. While we do ask you to look inward, please know there is no right or wrong answer. We encourage you to select the range/rate appropriate to your circumstances.
Learn more about Tara Mandala’s pricing guidelines here.
Onsite Programs Cancellation and Refund Policy
About the Teacher
