Open to EVERYONE.

Tara, the female Buddha of compassion, is revered as the “Savioress” because she is known for saving beings from the ocean of samsara (suffering). Her name also means “star” as she is as infinite as the stars in the sky. She manifests in the world according to the needs of sentient beings. 

Join us for the first-ever in-person 21 Tara’s retreat with Dorje Lopön Chandra on the sacred land at Tara Mandala, said to be the body of Tara herself. Lopön Chandra will teach five of the 21 Taras, one Tara per day.  You will learn meditations and mantras for each Tara as well as hear stories of real-life women who embody their qualities. They will inspire you to bring these aspects of Tara alive in yourself, bringing your body, mind, and soul into alignment with your own enlightened nature.

In this retreat, we will invite Tara’s awakened energy to come alive in ourselves through:

• Insight into core Buddhist concepts and teachings
• Guided Tara meditations in the Trikaya Tara Temple and outside in nature, the true abode of Tara
• Chanting melodies of the 21 Tara mantras 
• Gentle therapeutic yoga
• Dyad (mindful relational) practice
• Exploration of the lives of real women and movements that embody Tara’s enlightened activities
• Closing fire ceremony under the stars with chanting on the final evening

The 21 aspects of Tara appear in the 11th century tantric text called the Twenty-One Praises to Tara, a devotional hymn popular in Tibetan Buddhism, from which Lopön Chandra’s new book, Embodying Tara, draws its teachings and practices. Students will have the special opportunity to celebrate the publication of this heartfelt work of scholarship and years of engaged practice with Lopön Chandra at an intimate book signing during the course of the retreat. 

Recommended Reading: 
As an accompaniment to this retreat, students are encouraged to read Lopön Chandra Easton’s new book, Embodying Tara: Twenty-One Manifestations to Awaken Your Innate Wisdom (2023). 

Who Can Attend?
This retreat is open to all.

Registration for this retreat will close on, Tuesday, July 16 at 10:00am (MDT).

To prepare for your visit, we invite you to read our information on Tara Mandala’s Health & Safety Protocols for In-Person Retreats.

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. To learn more about Tara Mandala’s pricing guidelines for Online Programs, In-Person Retreats, and Special Promotions, please visit this page. 

Installment Payment Plan Option at Registration
During registration, students can either pay the program fee in full or select the Installment Payment option. If choosing the installment payment option, students will pay a 50% deposit upon registering and subsequent equal payments will be processed automatically every two-weeks. The final balance is due 14 days before the start of the program.

Deferred 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.

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

Sustaining Sangha:
If you are currently a member of our Sustaining Sangha, you may apply your Online Program discount to this course. To learn more about Sustaining Sangha membership, benefits, and discounts, click here. 

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