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: The empowerment will only be given during the in-person program and will not be livestreamed or recorded.

Program Tuition & Pricing

In-Person Program

Online Program

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
• 3:30 pm – 5:45 pm: Teaching Session
• 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm: Dinner & Karma Yoga
• 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Evening Practice

Sunday, August 10, 2025

• 8:00 am – 9:30 am: Breakfast
• 10:00 am – 1:00 pm: Teaching & Closing
• 1:00 pm: Lunch & Departure

Online Schedule (Mountain Daylight Time)

Thursday, August 7, 2025

• 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Opening Gathering

Friday, August 8, 2025

• 11:30 am – 12:45 pm: Teaching Session*
• 3:30 pm – 5:45 pm: Teaching Session
• 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Practice Session
  Because P’howa best practiced with a teacher in person, only this one practice session will be livestreamed and recorded. 

Saturday, August 9, 2025

• 10:00 am – 12:45 pm: Teaching Session
• 3:30 pm – 5:45 pm: Teaching Session

Sunday, August 10, 2025

• 10:00 am – 1:00 pm: Teaching & Closing

*The empowerment portion (approximately 10:00-11:30am) will not be livestreamed. The teaching session begins approximately 11:30am and will be recorded.

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: We will provide a link to purchase the digital text after registration.

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

Health and Safety Protocols for In-Person Retreats

Online Programs Cancellation and Refund Policy