2013 RETREAT SCHEDULE

taramandala.org VISION AND MISSION

Tara was established to foster the development of innate wisdom for the benefit of all beings. It is a vibrant international Buddhist Community with practice groups around the world. The hub of the community is the 700-acre retreat center in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Symbolically, the Mandala of , the female Buddha of compassion, is a template of the awakened mind. Experiencing the phenomenal world with an integrated state of compassion is Tara’s Mandala.

We offer a complete path of practice, study, and deep retreat in authentic lineages of and nurture a full path to ultimate realization focused on the teachings of Machig Labdrön. We provide solo retreat cabins for long term deepening of the practice. Tara Mandala also offers a Living Volunteer Program, group practices and retreats, and web based teachings. Tara Mandala’s community and practice groups are modeled on the Mandala Principle and Tantric Buddhist ideal of the unity of wisdom and skillful means.

Photo: Laurie Pearce Bauer 2 VISION AND MISSION Table of Contents About Tsultrim Allione ...... 6 2013 Retreat Calendar: Lama Tsultrim’s Teaching Tour & Tara Mandala Retreats . 7-9 Gateway Program: Journey into the Heart of Machig’s ...... 10-11 Springtime Renewal: Personal Retreat in Prajna Residence Hall ...... 12 Retreat Descriptions...... 13-30 Local Offerings...... 31-32 Registration ...... 33 Financial Assistance...... 34 Retreat Accommodations ...... 35 Retreat Cabins...... 36 Community Center and Tara Mandala Store ...... 37 Trikaya Tara Temple...... 38 Manifesting the Mandala...... 39-41 Living Dharma Volunteer Program ...... 42 Legacy Circle and Sustaining Membership ...... 43

A Note on Dana Most Tara Mandala retreats are completely dana based. Dana is a word which means generosity. The teachers in our programs donate their time in service of the Dharma and only receive what retreatants offer at the end of the retreat. Traditionally, teachings were given freely, so there is no required amount of dana. Tara Mandala charges a retreat fee that covers our food, facilities, staff, and overhead costs. Unless specified, dana is not included in this price. Below the retreat fee, we have listed a suggested dana amount in an effort to give participants an idea of what a traditional might be for each retreat; however, no minimum amount is required. Please remember that the precious teachings are priceless, and the offering of dana is an opportunity to practice the paramita of generosity. There will be an opportunity to make dana contributions (cash or checks preferred) at the end of each retreat.

3 The Land of Tara...

ABOUT LAMA TSULTRIM ALLIONE

“Lama Tsultrim Allione has had a great devotion toward the teachings of Chöd for a long time. She has been doing a lot of work to preserve and maintain the continuity of the teachings and practice of Chöd and she has a very pure heart motivation in doing this which I deeply rejoice in.” - His Holiness the 17th , Orgyen Trinley Dorje

Lama Tsultrim Allione, author and international teacher, founded Tara Mandala in 1993. While living in the Himalayas in the 1970s, she was inspired by the vision of creating a retreat center in the West. She was ordained as a Tibetan nun in 1970 by His Holiness the 16th Karmapa at the age of 22. At the age of 26, after four years as a nun, she returned her monastic vows, then married and raised a family of three children. While raising her children she earned a Master’s degree in and Women’s Studies from Antioch University.

She is the author of Women of Wisdom, a groundbreaking book on the lives of great Tibetan women practitioners. Lama Tsultrim also authored the recently published Feeding Your Demons: Ancient Wisdom for Resolving Inner Conflict. This National Bestseller presents Lama Tsultrim’s pioneering technique based on Chöd using five steps to nurture the parts of ourselves against which we usually fight. Numerous audio programs, DVDs, and magazine articles have been created about her life and work.

For many years, she has focused on the teachings from the lineage of Machig Labdrön, the 11th century Tibetan who founded the Chöd lineage. In 2007 while traveling in Tibet, she was recognized as an emanation of Machig Labdrön by the resident lama at Machig Labdrön‘s monastery, Zangri Khamar.

In 2009 Lama Tsultrim Allione was selected by an esteemed committee of scholars and practitioners to receive the international Outstanding Woman in Buddhism Award given in Bangkok, Thailand. Her teaching inspiration comes from her sublime Tibetan teachers and her experience as a Western woman.

6 2013 TOURS AND Retreats

Spring 2013 Lama March 17 tsultrim allione Prajna Paramita Talk United States Tour 10am-11:30am Tibet House, New York City, NY Register at tibethouse.us Mountain States M assachusetts C olorado March 17 – 22 March 7 Feeding Your Demons™ : Machig Labdrön and the Nature of Mind Kapala Training, Level I Virya Room, Paramita Campus, Kripalu Center, Stockbridge, MA University, Boulder, CO at 7pm Register at kripalu.org Register at the door www.taramandala.org for more info March 22-24 Chöd Retreat March 8 – 10 Kripalu Center, Stockbridge, MA Feeding Your Demons™ Daylong Register at kripalu.org Shambhala Mt. Center Red Feather Lakes, CO West Coast Register at shambhalamountain.org C alifornia East Coast March 28 N ew Y ork Machig Labdrön and the Nature of Mind Orgyen Dorje Den, Alameda, CA March 15 Register at orgyendorjeden.org Feeding Your Demons™ Evening Talk Tibet House, New York City, NY March 29 – 31 Register at tibethouse.us Green Tara Teachings Orgyen Dorje Den, Alameda, CA March 16 Register at orgyendorjeden.org Feeding Your Demons™ Daylong Tibet House, New York City, NY April 2 – 4 Register at tibethouse.us Chöd, Three Evening Sessions Orgyen Dorje Den, Alameda, CA March 16 Register at orgyendorjeden.org A Film Screening of “When the Iron Bird Flies” April 6 Rubin Museum, New York, NY Feeding Your Demons™ Daylong Benefit Exact time: Spirit Rock Meditation Center TBA on www.taramandala.org Woodacre, CA Register at www.spiritrock.org 7 Washington May 30 – June 6 Sutrayana: The Life April 10 and Teachings of the Buddha ...... 17 Feeding Your Demons™ Daylong with Lama Tsultrim Allione assisted by Pieter with Shiva Rae Oosthuizen & Charlotte Rotterdam Location TBD, Los Angeles, CA www.taramandala.org for more info June 9 – 16 : Vast View April 11 and Awakened Heart...... 18 with Lama Tsultrim Allione assisted by Debra Machig Labdrön and the Nature of Mind Quayle Travis Nalanda West, Seattle, WA Register at www.nalandawest.org June 19 – 26 : The Sacred World...... 18 April 12 – 14 with Lama Tsultrim Allione and others Retreat: Machig Labdrön and the Nature of Mind June 29 – July 5 Whidbey Island, WA Dzinpa Rangdröl Ngöndro...... 19 For registration, email Patricia at with Lama Tsultrim Allione and Khenpo Ugyen [email protected] Wangchuk For information, email Shanti at [email protected] July 8 – 14 Feeding Your Demons™: Kapala Training Level III...... 20 Summer 2013 Tara with Lama Tsultrim Allione Mandala Retreats July 16 – 20 March 1 – May 3 Kind Awareness: Vipassana Retreat.. 21 with Noah Levine Spring Renewal: Personal Retreats.... 12 with support from Lama Tsultrim Allione and Debra Quayle Travis July 22 – 28 Family Retreat: Mandala Principle ... 22 May 19 – 23 with Lama Tsultrim Allione, Sparky Shooting Star, Mary Flowers, and David Laufer Tibetan Yoga (Yantra) & Vajra Dance.13 with Fabio Andrico and Adriana Dal Borgo August 5 – 16 May 24 – 26 White Dakini Drubchen ...... 24 with Sang-ngag and Lama Retreat ...... 14 Tsultrim Allione with Chögyal

August 21 – 25 May 30 – June 5 Chöd ...... 25 Feeding Your Demons™: with Lama Tsultrim Allione assisted by Chandra Kapala Training Level I ...... 15 Easton and Karla Jackson-Brewer with Lama Tsultrim Allione August 28 – Sept 1 May 30 – June 26 Chöd Fest ...... 26 Three Retreat...... 16 with Lama Tsultrim Allione and Khenpo Ugyen with Lama Tsultrim Allione and others Wangchuk

8 September 5 – 11 Villa Unspunnen in Switzerland Feeding Your Demons™: Register at www.villaunspunnen.ch Kapala Training Level II ...... 27 with Lama Tsultrim Allione Russia September 5 – 9 Seven Trainings in Contemplation .... 28 October 17 with Anne Klein/Rigzin Drolma Feeding Your Demons™ Evening Talk Moscow Dzogchen Community September 16 – 21 Moscow, Russia White Tara & Tibetan Yoga (Lujong). 29 Register at: with Lama Pema Dorje www.dzogchencommunity.org

September 25 – 27 October 18 - 20 The Magic of Awareness ...... 30 Chöd Retreat with Anam Thubten Kunzangar North Russian Dzogchen Community Center near Moscow Fall 2013 Lama www.taramandala.org for more info Tsultrim Allione International Tour Italy

Germany October 23 Feeding Your Demons™ September 24 – 27 Evening Talk 7pm Dzinpa Rangdröl Chöd Turino, Italy Kamalashila Institute Register at [email protected] Langenfeld, Germany Register at www.kamalashila.de October 25 – 31 Feeding Your Demons™: September 28 Kapala Training Level I White Dakini Empowerment from Tenuta San Vito, Tuscany, Italy Dzinpa Rangdröl Register at [email protected] Kamalashila Institute Langenfeld, Germany November 1 – 3 Register at www.kamalashila.de Chöd Retreat Merigar, Arcidosso, Italy Sept 29 – Oct 3 Register at: White Dakini Teachings www.dzogchen.it/merigar-west Kamalashila Institute Langenfeld, Germany Spain Register at www.kamalashila.de November 8 – 10 Switzerland Feeding Your Demons™ Weekend The Hotel Santa Marta Costa Brava, Spain October 7 – 13 Register at: Feeding Your Demons™: [email protected] Kapala Training Level II 9 GATEWAY: Journey into the Heart of Machig’s Lineage

Beginning in 2013 S even -year S tudy & P ractice P rogram for the D edicated P ractitioner with Sang-ngag Rinpoche, Lama Tsultrim Allione and Khenpo Ugyen Wangchuk

Overview of the seven-year Gateway Program This seven-year program is for dedicated practitioners who cannot do long-term retreat but who wish to live a life imbued with intense practice. The curriculum consists of practices done in the traditional Vajrayana three-year solitary retreat adapted for the modern practitioner living in the “world.”

The focus of this program is the Dzinpa Rangdröl (Self Liberation of Clinging) cycle of teachings that Machig Labdrön revealed to Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje (1800-1866). It was transmitted by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche to Sang-ngag Rinpoche who has been teaching it at Tara Mandala since 2008. It is an extremely unique lineage because it combines the teachings of Machig Labdrön with the Machig Labdrön Dzogchen (Great Perfection) teachings.

This program offers a rare opportunity to receive this exceedingly esoteric lineage with consistent support and structure for the dedicated practitioner. Never before has it been taught in the West. Over the course of the program, a close cohort of fellow practitioners will develop, providing a sense of camaraderie and support while engaging in these profound practices.

L evel 1: T he F oundation P rogram O verview The Foundation program spans three years and covers the Ngöndro or ‘That Which Goes Before’ which is the doorway for entering the profound lineage of the Dzinpa Rangdröl cycle. The first Ngöndro Retreat is June 29–July 5, 2013. This program is designed so that participants will complete the Dzinpa Rangdröl Ngöndro

10 at the end of this three-year time period. Since the time of Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century, the practice of Ngöndro has been completed by many great yogis and and many of them have taken Ngöndro as one of their core practices.

To receive these instructions and begin the practice, there are no prerequisites; however, it is a practice that requires great effort and commitment. The application Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje and interview process must be completed.

L evel 2: T he C omplete T ransmission P rogram O verview This program begins with Drubchen August 5–16, 2013 with additional teachings August 19–21, 2013. The Complete Transmission Program builds upon the Foundation Program and is for those who have completed

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche the Ngöndro requirement. Those who have already completed a Ngöndro in another lineage will be required to do 10% of the Dzinpa Rangdrol Ngöndro in order to enter into the second level “Complete Transmission” program.

This four-year curriculum includes the deity yoga practices of Tsogyal Karmo and Tröma, Tsalung, the 6 Yogas, the Dzogchen preliminaries of Outer and Inner Sang-Ngag Rinpoche Rushan followed by Trekchö and Tögal. There are also various other yogic and Dzogchen practices attached to this cycle, including three main Chöd practices of varying lengths. There will be both group and solitary retreat requirements as well as a commitment to regular, two-hour daily practice.

For costs, details, and schedules for the Foundation and the Complete Tranmission Programs, please go to our

Lama Tsultrim Allione website at www.taramandala.org

GOCHEN SANG-NGAG RINPOCHE is the founder and spiritual director of Ewam International Centers around the world. Born in 1952 into one of the oldest families in Tibet, Rinpoche was recognized in early childhood to be the reincarnation of the Gochen Tulku. Sang-ngag Rinpoche, an outstanding meditation master and scholar, is a lineage holder of the Namchak lineage and other profound lineages of . Rinpoche’s vision of a peace garden in a mountainous valley came to him as a small child, eventually leading him to Montana to build the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas. His primary residence is in Santa Fe, New Mexico where he has established a retreat and practice center, Pema Khandro Ling.

LAMA TSULTRIM ALLIONE’S bio can be found on page 6.

KHENPO UGYEN WANGCHUK’S bio can be found on page 26. 11 Springtime Renewal: Personal Retreat in Prajna Residence Hall

With support from Lama Tsultrim Allione and Debra Quayle Travis

March 1 - May 3, 2013

For the first time, Prajna, the beautiful Residence Hall at Tara Mandala, will be available for individual, private retreats from March 1 to May 3, 2013.

The rooms are spacious with natural wood floors, large windows, and beautiful views. Each room has a granite counter and sink with an electric tea kettle, tea cups, closet and shelves for storage. Soaking bath tubs, showers, and toilets are in the hall. Two delicious, organic, vegetarian meals are included. This will consist of a self-serve breakfast bar and a hot lunch with snacks available for evening tea if you wish. You will participate in one hour of Karma Yoga a day and may keep functional talking or silence during this time. A silent table will be provided at all meals and all rooms will be single occupancy for this retreat.

Retreat periods from 7 to 60 days are available on a first come basis during these two months with arrival and departure dates Monday or Friday starting March 1 and ending May 3. Resident teachers are available for support when they are on the land.

Pricing 7 Day Minimum: $68.00 per day ($476) 8 – 30+ days: $65.00 per day 31+ days: $60.00 per day

12 Tibetan Yoga (Yantra) & Vajra Dance

With support from Lama Tsultrim Allione With Fabio Andrico and Adriana Dal Borgo and Debra Quayle Travis May 19 – 22, 2013 March 1 - May 3, 2013 This retreat is a perfect way to prepare for the upcoming weekend teachings with the great Dzogchen Master, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. Mornings will be devoted to learning the Vajra Dance of the Six Spaces with Adriana Dal Borgo and in the afternoons and evenings participants will study and practice Yantra Yoga with Fabio Andrico.

The Vajra Dance is an important method which uses sound and movement to integrate the three aspects of our existence – body, energy, and mind – with the true condition. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu introduced the Vajra Dance to his students in 1990 as a healing method to restore energy and harmonize the whole being.

Yantra Yoga is one of the oldest recorded systems of yoga in the world and comes to us by way of Tibet. Its unique series of positions and movements, combined with conscious breathing, can help coordinate and harmonize one’s personal energy so that body and mind can relax and find their authentic, natural balance.

Please bring a yoga mat and visit www.taramandala.org to see recommended reading and viewing for this retreat. Register for this retreat and the Dzogchen Retreat and receive a 10% discount on both! Pricing Double – $415 to $540 | Queen Single – $620 to $745 Queen Double – $505 to $630 | Camping – $340 to $465 Suggested Dana $100-$200

Fabio Andrico was born and raised in Italy and is an internationally recognized expert on the unique tradition of Tibetan Yoga known as Yantra Yoga. After early studies of yoga in India, Fabio returned to Italy and met his teacher, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, and since 1977 has been studying, practicing, teaching, and writing on Yantra Yoga. He leads courses and yoga retreats internationally and remains one of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s closest disciples. ADRIANA DAL BORGO, psychologist and psychotherapist, met the Dzogchen Master Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in Italy in 1986 and became his student. She learned the Vajra Dance directly from him and since 1994 has been authorized by the Master to teach this method and form to students and other instructors.

13 Dzogchen Retreat

With Chögyal Namkhai Norbu May 24 - 26, 2013

We are so looking forward to the historic return of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu to Tara Mandala. Please join us to receive his teachings and transmissions in the lineage of Dzogchen, the Great Perfection. Rinpoche will choose exactly what he will teach at the time of the retreat.

Pricing Double – $303 to $428 | Single – $435 to $560 Queen Double – $360 to $485 Camping – $204 to $329 Suggested Dana: $100 – $200

Register for this retreat and the Tibetan Yoga/Vajra Dance Retreat and receive a 10% discount on both!

CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU was born in Derghe, eastern Tibet, in 1938. As a child, he was recognized as the reincarnation of the great Dzogchen Master Adzom Drugpa (1842-1924) and later by the sixteenth Karmapa as a reincarnation of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (1594-1651), the first Dharmaraja of Bhutan.

In 1960, following the deterioration of the social and political situation in Tibet, he moved to Italy. There he provided a concrete stimulus to the spread of Tibetan culture in the West. His academic works reveal a profound knowledge of Tibetan culture and a steadfast determination to keep the extraordinary cultural heritage of Tibet alive and fully accessible. In 1989, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu founded the Shang Shung Institute, which has the task of safeguarding Tibetan culture by promoting and spreading it. Today, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu continues to travel constantly all over the world, giving talks and holding retreats attended by thousands of people.

14 Feeding Your Demons™: Kapala Training Level I

With Lama Tsultrim Allione May 30 - June 5, 2013

Inspired by the ancient practice of Chöd, “Feeding Your Demons™” is a five-step process created by Lama Tsultrim Allione that allows us to offer compassion and understanding to our own inner demons rather than engaging in battle and struggle with them. This process is of great benefit when working with a wide variety of personal demons and other dilemmas of modern life. The demon work will be balanced by the deep teachings of PrajnaParamita, a nature of mind practice.

This training is for individuals who wish to work in an intensive way with their own inner demons. In addition, this retreat is the first step for licensed healing professionals who want to become certified to use this process with others. Kapala Training Level II offers this official certification.

Pricing Double – $584 to $706 | Single – $868 to $993 | Queen Double – $707 to $832 Camping – $476 to $601 Suggested Dana: $140 - $280

This course meets the qualifications for 29 hours of CEUs. Tara Mandala is licensed by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as a continuing education provider (#3260). CE hours are offered for Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) and for Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs). Please sign up for CE hours at the time of registration; a $20 fee applies.

LAMA TSULTRIM ALLIoNE’S bio can be found on page 6.

15 Three Yana Retreat

With Lama Tsultrim Allione and others May 30 - June 26, 2013

This is a program of intensive meditation practice and daily Dharma talks which cover the historical and contemplative development of the 3 Yanas in Buddhism. For each Yana there will be 6 hours of practice per day as well as 2 hours of teachings.

P ricing F O R T hree Yana retreat Double Room: $2,072–$2,197 | Single Room: $3,472–$3,597 Queen Double Room: $2,828 to $2,953 | Camping: $1,904 to $2,029 Suggested Dana $450 – $950

P ricing FOR EACH THREE YANA RETREAT Double Room: $664–789 | Single Room: $992–1,117 Queen Double Room: $808–933 | Camping: $544–669 Suggested Dana $160 - $320 / retreat

LAMA TSULTRIM ALLIoNE’S bio can be found on page 6.

16 sutrayana: the life and teachings of the buddha With Lama Tsultrim Allione assisted by Charlotte Rotterdam and Pieter Oosthuizen May 30 - June 6, 2013

During the Sutrayana section of the retreat, there will be Shamatha practice and walking meditation in the morning session. In the afternoon, there will be teachings on the life and teachings of the Buddha which will include the ,

LAMA TSULTRIM ALLIoNE’S bio can be found on page 6.

Pieter Oosthuizen has brought innovative leadership to institutions such as Naropa University where he held the position of Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, overseeing the School of Extended Studies, and Tara Mandala Buddhist Retreat Center, founded and led by Lama Tsultrim Allione, where he served as Executive Director for four years. He is currently a Trustee on the Board of Tara Mandala.

Charlotte Rotterdam is a teacher, organizational leader, and consultant/coach who has been teaching meditation and Feeding your Demons nationally and internationally for several years. She is Adjunct Faculty at Naropa University and received her Masters degree in comparative religion from Harvard Divinity School. Ms. Rotterdam has been a student of Tibetan Buddhism for 15 years and of Lama Tsultrim Allione for the last six.

17 MAHAyana: VAST VIEW AND AWAKENED HEART With Lama Tsultrim Allione assisted by Debra Quayle Travis June 9 - 16, 2013 During the Mahayana section of the retreat, there will be teachings and meditation on the Prajnaparamita . In addition, participants will learn practices to develop compassion () as well as other meditations cultivating the Four Immeasurables. In the afternoon, there will be teachings on the historical development of Mahayana and the doctrines of Mahayana practice and philosophy.

LAMA TSULTRIM ALLIoNE’S bio can be found on page 6.

Debra Quayle Travis has been on the Buddhist path for thirty years. She has a firm foundation in the Theravadan tradition and began her study and practice of Vajrayana while living in Asia in 2005. Over the past fifteen years she has taught many meditation classes to students in a variety of settings and is Program Director and a Resident Teacher at Tara Mandala. She is also the guiding teacher for the local Pagosa Sangha.

VAJRAyana: THE SACRED WORLD With Lama Tsultrim Allione June 19 - 26, 2013 During the Vajrayana section of the retreat, there will be study and practice on the mandala principle. Each afternoon there will be teachings that include how the Vajrayana developed in India and how it spread to Tibet, Korea, and Japan as well as an introduction to the five Buddha families, the mandala principle, and deity yoga.

LAMA TSULTRIM ALLIONE’S bio can be found on page 6.

18 Dzinpa Rangdröl Ngöndro

With Lama Tsultrim Allione and Khenpo Ugyen Wangchuk June 29 - July 5, 2013

The Dzinpa Rangdröl Ngöndro (foundational practices) of the Yangsang Khandro Tug Tig (Exceedingly Secret Heart Essence of the Dakini) cycle is the gateway for entering the profound lineage of the Dzinpa Rangdröl cycle. Since the time of Guru Rinpoche, the practice of ngöndro has been completed by all of the great yogis and yoginis and many of them have taken ngöndro as one of their core practices.

Commensurate with the complete body of the Dzinpa Rangdröl cycle, many practices in this ngöndro are considered extremely esoteric and in the past were given only as a practitioner’s second ngöndro.

During this retreat, Lama Tsultrim Allione and Khenpo Ugyen Wangchuk will guide you through the practices of the Dzinpa Rangdröl Ngöndro. To receive these instructions and begin the practice, there are no prerequisites; however, it is a practice that requires great effort and commitment.

This retreat is part of the Gateway Program but is open to all practitioners. Gateway is a Seven-year Study & Practice Program for the Dedicated Practitioner in The Cycle of Dzinpa Rangdröl ‘Self Liberation of Clinging’ Lineage in the Dzogchen Tradition from Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje. The full description of the Gateway Program is on page 8. You may apply for this program on our website at www.taramandala.org.

Pricing Double Room : $581 to $706 | Queen Single: $868 to $993 | Queen Double: $707 to $832 Camping: $476 to $601 Suggested Dana $150 – $300

LAMA TSULTRIM KHENPO UGYEN ALLIONE’S bio can be WANGCHUK’S bio can found on page 6. be found on page 26.

19 Feeding Your Demons™: Kapala Training Level III

With Lama Tsultrim Allione July 8 – 14, 2013

P R E R E Q U I S I T E : Completion of Kapala Training Level I, Kapala Training Level II, the Three Yana retreat, Chöd retreat, and the interim assignments.

In this retreat we will go further into Machig L a b d r ö n ’ s l i n e a g e , learning specific new practices and deepening our understanding of the roots and branches of her lineage tree. Lama Tsultrim will be giving the Machig empowerment and associated practices during this retreat.

This course meets the qualifications for 29 hours of CEs. Tara Mandala is licensed by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as a continuing education provider (#3260). CEs are offered for Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) and for Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs). Please sign up for CEs at the time of registration; a $20 fee applies.

Pricing Double: $581 to $706 | Single: $868 to $993 | Queen Double: $707 to $832 Camping: $476 to $601

Suggested Dana: $140 – $280

LAMA TSULTRIM ALLIoNE’S bio can be found on page 6.

20 Kind Awareness: Vipassana Retreat

With Noah Levine July 16 - 20, 2013

At this Insight Meditation retreat, we focus attention on our breath, body, heart and mind. The instructions will be based upon the Four Foundations of in combination with exercises in loving kindness and compassion.

Each day will include periods of sitting and walking meditation, dharma talks, and interviews.

Pricing Double: $415 to $540 | Single: $620 to $745 | Queen Double: $505 to $630 Camping: $340 to $465 Suggested Dana: $100 – $200

Noah Levine is the founder of the “Against The Stream Society” with two centers in Los Angeles and over 20 affiliated groups in North America and Europe. He teaches meditation groups, gives workshops, and leads retreats. He is the author of “Dharma Punx”, “Against the Stream” and “Heart of the Revolution.”

21 Family Retreat

With Lama Tsultrim Allione, Sparky Shooting Star, Mary Flowers and David Laufer July 22 - 28, 2013

The Family Retreat will revolve around the Mandala Principle and the Five Buddha Families which represent the transformation of challenging emotions (depression, anger, pride, grasping, and jealousy) into wisdom. One of the great things about the Buddha families is that however strong your encumbered pattern, the transformation into wisdom will be equally powerful. The transformation is not a matter of repression but of freeing the energy into its true nature. There will be mask making, candle lighting, and outdoor altars made by each family. The parents will work with Lama Tsultrim with the Yab/Yum Mandala practice and Lama will also spend time with each group of children as well as with the teen-agers.

This year we are happy to welcome back Sparky Shooting Star for the Teen Vision Quest. She is of Cherokee descent and was trained by Mary Thunder, Rolling Thunder, and Wallace Black Elk. She has more than 20 years of experience guiding vision quests in the traditional way and led the first teen vision quests at Tara Mandala. As she guides the teens in this quest to take responsibility for their own lives, Sparky Shooting Star will lead them on the journey of preparing themselves and the land by creating the sweat lodge and making ceremonial items, prayer ties and robes, which mark each Vision Quest Site. Families will join in the feast in celebration to complete the quest, as well as help when needed during the quest.

In and around Tara Mandala’s new Children’s Temple, this summer’s Children’s Program will include rich opportunities for young people to connect with the teachings

22 of the Buddha through experiences with the five elements and the five Buddha families. Their daily rhythm will allow time for creative expression, reflection, and exploration in Tara Mandala’s wonderful natural setting. The children will share highlights of their week together with their families in a playful presentation at the culmination of the Family Camp.

Pricing Adult Queen Double: $707 to $832 | Teen Queen Double: $657 to $782 Child Queen Double: $607 to $732 | Adult Double: $581 to $706 Teen Double: $531 to $656 | Child Double: $481 to $606 Adult Camping: $476 to $601 | Teen Camping: $426 to $551 Child Camping: $376 to $501

LAMA TSULTRIM ALLIoNE’S bio can be found on page 6.

SPARKY SHOOTING STAR is a Sun Dancer of Cherokee & Irish decent who has led vision quest ceremonies for almost 20 years. Sparky started working with Lama Tsultrim in 1988 when she was asked to lead the sweat lodge ceremony at the first Dakini Retreat. She also lead the Teen Vision Quests during the first Family Retreats at Tara Mandala.

MARY FLOWERS brings over 25 years of experience with children of all ages as she guides the children’s program this year. As an award- winning educator, Mary’s approach focuses on the integration of heart and mind through all facets of learning. She delights in connecting Dharma and daily life and looks forward to sharing many-colored adventures with Tara Mandala’s family campers.

david laufer and his family have been coming to the family retreat for the past 10 years and both of his children have completed several teen vision quests there. David is an avid outdoorsman and an alumnus of the National Outdoor Leadership School. Born and raised in New York City, David lives in Brooklyn with his wife Leslie, their kids, Iain (18) and Ruby (15), and their dog, Bodhi.

23 White Dakini DrubChen

With Sang-ngag Rinpoche and Lama Tsultrim Allione August 5 - 16, 2013

The annual Drubchen (Great Accomplishment Ceremony) of the White Dakini practice from Do Khyentse’s Dzinpa Rangdröl (Self- Liberation from Fixation) treasure cycle will be performed at Tara Mandala. This lineage comes directly from Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche to Sang-ngag Rinpoche, our Drubchen Vajra Master. We will experience a traditional empowerment given by Sang-ngag Rinpoche, and we will be led through an in-depth process of learning and practicing the White Dakini mandala. This White Dakini practice is the union of Machig Labdrön and Yeshe Tsogyel surrounded by the dakinis of the five families. In addition to the precious teachings from Sang-ngag Rinpoche, Lama Tsultrim will help frame the experience through discussion and further teachings. This retreat is open to anyone interested.

There will be two days of introductory teachings from August 5th – August 7th. Please choose either to register for the teachings and the Drubchen or to register only for the Drubchen: August 7th – August 16th

Pricing Drubchen and teachings: Double Room 8/5 - 8/16: $996 to $1,121 | Queen Single 8/5 - 8/16: $1,488 to $1,613 Queen Double 8/5 - 8/16: $1,212 to $1,337 | Camping 8/5 - 8/16: $816 to $941 Drubchen: Double Room 8/7 - 8/16: $830 to $955 | Queen Single 8/7 - 8/16: $1,240 to $1,365 Queen Double 8/7 - 8/16: $1,010 to $1,135 | Camping 8/7 - 8/16: $680 to $805

Sang-Ngag LAMA TSULTRIM Rinpoche’S bio can ALLIONE’S bio can be be found on page 11. found on page 6.

24 Chöd

With Lama Tsultrim Allione assisted by Chandra Easton and Karla Jackson-Brewer August 21 - 25, 2013

The Chöd taught and practiced during this retreat will be the Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Chöd which came to this great Dzogchen Master in a dream.

Chöd is a unique blend of the Tibetan Shamanic traditions and the Buddhist tradition of compassion and emptiness. This centuries-old practice is sung and is accompanied by the use of a traditional Chöd drum and bell. Healing comes when fear, fixation, and self-clinging are cut through, based on nurturing not fighting what assails us, giving rise to the awareness of Lama Tsultrim Allione the empty nature of afflictive emotions.

Required materials: The Chöd practice requires a Chöd drum and bell, both of which are available through our bookstore. Also recommended is a headlamp or small book-light for night practice.

Pricing Double Room : $415 to $540 | Queen Single: $620 to $745 Queen Double: $505 to $630 | Camping: $340 to $465 Suggested dana: $100 - $200

LAMA TSULTRIM ALLIoNE’S bio can be found on page 6.

Chandra Easton has studied the Sutrayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana teachings with many qualified teachers both at the scholastic and practice levels. Her primary studies have been in the Tibetan Vajrayana teachings. She has received teachings and empowerments from many authentic teachers including H.H. , Khenpo Wangchuk Sonam, Gyatrul Rinpoche, Adzom Paylo Rinpoche, and Lama Tsultrim Allione among others.

Karla Jackson-Brewer is an advanced student of Lama Tsultrim Allione and has been practicing Tibetan Buddhism for the past 22 years. She has traveled to Tibet and assisted Lama Tsultrim in teaching Chöd for the past 11 years. Ms. Jackson-Brewer has been serving clients in the area of personal emotional growth for the past 31 years and is a professor at Rutgers University in Women’s & Gender Studies and Africana Studies Departments. 25 Chöd Fest

With Lama Tsultrim Allione and Khenpo Ugyen Wangchuk August 28 - September 1, 2013

The Chöd Fest is an exciting addition to Tara Mandala’s retreat season and is a response to many requests from students who want to deepen their knowledge and practice of Chöd. In-depth teachings on the historical roots of this lineage will be complemented by our practice of the Parchangma Chöd in several locations on the sacred land of Tara Mandala.

There will also be instruction on many other aspects of the practice, including how to fix your ritual implements and the deeper meanings of these instruments.

Pricing Double Room : $415 to $540 | Queen Single: $620 to $745 Queen Double: $505 to $630 | Camping: $340 to $465 Suggested Dana: $150 – $300

LAMA TSULTRIM ALLIoNE’S bio can be found on page 6.

Khenpo Ugyen Wangchuk has studied and practiced Buddhism since the age of 7. He has a Master’s degree (MA) in and was the Principal of the Institute in Bhutan. In 2006, the title of Khenpo (equivalent to a PhD) was conferred upon him. At Tara Mandala, he has been of invaluable service guiding and teaching residents and retreatants.

26 Feeding Your Demons™: Kapala Training Level II

With Lama Tsultrim Allione September 5 - 11, 2013

This retreat is a continuation of the Kapala Training program. It consists of a deepening of the Prajña Paramita practice, an introduction to Jamgön Kongtrül’s text “Transmitting the Meaning of the Mother”, and Machig Labdrön’s method for cutting through discursive thoughts with sound. Feeding Your Demons™ work will continue individually and in dyads and will expand through mapping of family lineage demons, physical body demons, and hydra demons.

For licensed therapists or counselors, completion of this Level II retreat and the required 108 demon feedings allows one to apply for certification to use the five steps of Feeding Your Demons™ professionally.

This course meets the qualifications for 29 hours of Continuing Education. Tara Mandala is licensed by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as a continuing education provider (#3260). CE hours are offered for Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) and for Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs). Please sign up for CE hours at the time of registration; a $20 fee applies.

PREREQUISITES: Kapala Training Level I and the interim assignments

Pricing Double Room : $581 to $706 | Queen Single: $868 to $993 Queen Double: $707 to $832 | Camping: $476 to $601

Suggested Dana: $140 – $280

LAMA TSULTRIM ALLIoNE’S bio can be found on page 6.

27 Seven Trainings in Contemplation

With Rigzin Drolma/Anne C. Klein, Ph.D. September 5 - 9, 2013

Because our essential nature is always available, though usually hidden, we are inspired to practice well so that we can experience it fully. , Tibet’s unparalleled 14th century master of Dzogchen, prepares this ground through seven simple and profound practices that will be the focus of this retreat.

Each Training is a practice that begins with effort and ends with ease, teaching us how to move along the trajectory from ordinary mind to freedom. These are crucial skills for any practitioner, especially for those seeking the understanding and experience of their own nature.

The retreat draws as well on Jigme Lingpa’s more elaborate discussion of these practices and on other of his and Longchenpa’s writings as well as on Adzom Rinpoche’s own oral teachings on this beautiful, yet rarely taught, work of spiritual art.

This retreat is ideal for new and ongoing students, with time for discussion so that each group’s particular needs are explicitly addressed. Students will learn practices that they can take home and develop, thereby enriching the context of their current practice.

Pricing Double Room : $415 to $540 | Queen Single: $625 to $750 Queen Double: $530 to $655 | Camping: $340 to $465 Suggested Dana: $100 – $200

ANNE KLEIN/RIGZIN DOLMA is Professor and Former Chair of Religious Studies, Rice University. She is also founding director and Resident Lama at Dawn Mountain Tibetan founded in 1996 (www.dawnmountain.org). Her Nyingma root teachers are the late Khetsun Sangpo Rinpoche of Nepal and Adzom Paylo Rinpoche of Tibet and she also studied extensively with Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, Lopon Tenzin Namdak, and Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche. She was given rein to teach by Khetsun Sangpo Rinpoche in 1994 and was named a Dorje Lopon in 2009 by Adzom Rinpoche. Her six books include, most recently, Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse: A Story of Transmission. 28 White Tara and Lujong

With Lama Pema Dorje September 16 - 21, 2013

White Tara is a peaceful deity but is also extremely powerful. Of all of the 21 different manifestations of Tara, she is the one most closely associated with the compassionate nature of Chenrezig (Avalokitesvara). Her seven eyes symbolize her ability to see all of the suffering in the world with this great compassion. Also known as Dolma Karpo in Tibetan, White Tara practice brings longevity, healing, and wisdom and is a practice that is used to remove obstacles from one’s life, especially those that stand in the way of one’s spiritual progress.

Lu Jong is Tibetan Buddhist yoga. The practice Lama Pema Dorje will teach in this retreat (Lu Jong Chime Palter) slows the aging process, lengthens the life of the body, increases physical comfort and flexibility, and stabilizes the mind.

Pricing Double: $606 to $731 | Queen Single: $870 to $995 Queen Double: $720 to $845 | Camping: $408 to $533

Suggested Dana: $120 – $240

Lama Pema Dorje Rinpoche is a master yogi of the Nyingmapa tradition. He is a student of H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche and a lineage holder of Dudjom Lingpa and H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche. He has also studied with H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, H.E. Chagdud Rinpoche, Lama Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche, and many other great teachers of the 20th century. He is a practitioner of the development stage and accomplishment stage. He has been authorized to teach by H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and many other teachers. For more information please see his main biography at: http://sangchenpemachholing.org/ Includes/biography.shtml 29 The Magic of Awareness

With Anam Thubten September 25 - 27, 2013

During this retreat, Anam Thubten will lead mediation and offer teachings. He will describe what awareness is from the Buddhist point of view and invite everyone to discover it through direct experiences. Awareness has the magic to show us our original face, the Buddha within.

Pricing

Double Room : $303 to $428 | Queen Single: $372 to $497 Queen Double: $360 to $485 | Camping: $204 to $329

Suggested Dana: $60 – $120

Anam Thubten spent much of his childhood and young adult life in a Nyingma monastery in Tibet where he received the benefit of extensive academic and spiritual training from several teachers. After arriving in America in the early 1990’s, Anam Thubten began to teach the Dharma at the request of others and today teaches extensively in fluent English. These teachings, free of any sect, point directly to one’s true nature as boundless love and wisdom. Anam Thubten is the author of various articles and books in both the Tibetan and English language. His first book in English appeared under the title ‘No Self, No Problem’ and his latest book is ‘The Magic of Awareness.’ 30 LOCAL OFFERINGS

2013 Tara Mandala Visitor Days May 11, June 6, and August 25

Tara Mandala is open to the public several times each year. You are welcome to join us for a guided tour of our beautiful Retreat Center and Tara Temple, which includes a brief introduction to meditation with time for Q&A and a vegetarian buffet lunch. Please plan to arrive by 9:30am for registration--all visitors must sign in. The tour starts promptly at 10am and ends by 1pm followed by lunch. Our Tara Mandala Store will be open during your visit.

RSVP to reserve your place: (970)731-3711 or [email protected]

We look forward to welcoming you to Tara Mandala. There is no charge but reservations are required. (Visiting at other times is by appointment only.)

Ongoing Weekly Dharma Group With Debra Quayle Travis

This ongoing group meets on Saturday mornings from 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. for a guided meditation, , and refreshments. The meeting location and frequency vary by season; please check our website for up-to-date information or email [email protected] for current details.

31 LOCAL OFFERINGS

Yoga & Meditation Daylongs with Tara Robertson & Debra Quayle Travis

This year Tara Mandala will expand opportunities for practice for local and near- by residents by offering 4 Yoga & Meditation Daylong retreats. The April Daylong will take place in downtown Pagosa at the EcoLiving Center and the summer series will be at Tara Mandala.

Each retreat will include “Yoga for the Inflexible” sessions with Tara Robertson and guided meditation and a dharma talk by Debra Quayle Travis on a variety of topics from Buddhist teachings. “Yoga for the Inflexible” is a yoga class designed to meet the needs of a range of students, including those who are newer to yoga, recovering from an injury, or those who want to better understand the nuts and bolts of yoga poses. It is a blend of simple yoga flow (vinyasa) and held poses (yoga therapy) that will leave you feeling refreshed and flexible.

The retreats will begin at 10:00am and end at 4:00pm and will be offered on a dana (donation) basis. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring a bag lunch to each retreat. To register, email [email protected].

E arth D ay R etreat at E co L ivingin D owntown P agosa : 10am - 4pm April 21: Dharma Talk on Feeding Your Demons

S ummer S eries at T ara M andala : 10am - 4pm May 18: Dharma Talk on The Five Buddha Families July 6: Dharma Talk on The Six Paramitas: a Path to Compassion September 22: Dharma Talk on Deepening Your Meditation Practice

Debra quayle travis’s bio can be found on page 17.

tara robertson has been teaching and studying yoga for over 18 years. She is certified in a variety of styles of Hatha yoga, Ayurveda (traditional Indian Medicine), and has continued her education in Anatomy & Physiology and Tibetan Buddhism. Her style of teaching has been influenced by her teachers Scott Blossom, Shiva Rea, and Jill Miller.

32 RETREAT REGISTRATION

Download registration form or register securely online at: www.taramandala.org The Retreat Fee covers practice texts, facilities, accommodations, and three vegetarian meals daily. The retreat fee does not include teacher dana unless otherwise specified. Sustaining Sangha members receive a 10% - 20% discount upon request.

Our Sliding Scale helps to make retreats accessible to people with a range of economic situations. Please consider your situation carefully and pay at the highest level you are able to. Any amount paid over the minimum balance of the sliding scale is applied to the Evada Scholarship Fund. This money allows those who might not otherwise be able to come to Tara Mandala to attend our retreats.

Dana is offered to support the teachers of your retreat. Dana is the Pali word for generosity. The teachers in our programs donate their time in service to the Dharma and only receive what retreatants offer at the end of each retreat.

Registration PROCEDURES • Space is limited, so please register early! • Registrations must be in writing. You may register online or by mail. • A minimum of 50% of your Retreat Fee is required with your registration form. • If you do not initially pay in full, the balance is due at least 30 days before the retreat begins. • Payments can be made online or you may send a check with your paper form. • Your space and accommodations are held when the retreat is received; your space and accommodations are fully guaranteed only when the entire retreat fee is received.

Changes, Cancellations, Refunds Please understand that last minute cancellations are extremely costly for us. The staff time, food ordering, and budget committed to each program is based upon the number of people who have registered. In addition, you may have contributed a portion of your program cost to the Evada Scholarship Fund. These contributions cannot be returned because others are then affected. • Cancellations or Change Requests must be received in writing for a refund or credit to be issued. We recommend that you send an email to registrar@ taramandala.org with the subject line: “Retreat Cancellation Request.” • Refund/credit amounts are dependent on the timing of the written request. • If we receive your written Cancellation or Change Request 31 days or more before the retreat starts, you will receive a full refund minus a $75.00 processing fee and minus any scholarship funds donated. • No refunds/credit for Cancellations or Change Requests received 30 days or less before the retreat start date can be considered. • Cancellations or Change Requests cannot be accepted by phone. • There is a $50.00 fee for all returned checks.

33 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Payment Plans - Deferred payment plans are available based on financial need. You must fill out an application and work out a payment schedule with the office. If approved you must provide post-dated checks or your credit card number for scheduled payments. Evada Scholarship Fund - The Evada Fund is designed to assist those who, due to financial hardship, may not otherwise be able to attend our retreats. These funds are available to cover up to 50% of camping retreat fees for programs at Tara Mandala. Financial assistance forms are on our website. Special Needs Retreats are not meant as a substitute for psychotherapy. We recommend that if you are currently undergoing psychotherapy you inform your therapist of your intention to participate in a retreat. Retreats can be emotionally demanding and physically strenuous. If you have a health condition or are aware that you may require medical supervision, we recommend that you not participate in a retreat. We do not have the appropriate staff or facilities to accommodate special needs of this nature. Continuing Education Tara Mandala is licensed by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as a continuing education provider (#3260). CE hours are offered for Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) and for Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs). The number of CE hours offered is listed below programs for which credit is avail- able. Please sign up for CE hours at the time of registration; a $20 fee applies. Staying Connected We have an email distribution list that we use to keep people informed of upcoming retreats and other Tara Mandala news. We invite you to join by visiting our website at www.taramandala.org. Those who subscribe to the our email list will also receive Words of Wisdom: a Dharma quote selected by Lama Tsultrim and framed by current photos from Tara Mandala.

Our website is updated regularly and has information about our center, cabins, programs, and teachers, as well as articles, poems and photos.

This program guide is printed on post consumer waste recycled paper and is produced annually by Tara Mandala, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit religious organization. All Rights Reserved © Tara Mandala, 2013 TARA MANDALA PO Box 3040, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (970) 731-3711 www.taramandala.org 34 RETREAT ACcOMmODATIONS

Prajña Residence Hall offers 16 rooms on two floors with stunning views of the San Juan mountains to the East and Ekajati peak to the West. The building is beautifully hand-painted with traditional Tibetan flower imagery on the window lintels. The outer plaster is a brilliant golden yellow ochre limestone that matches the community building. Our rooms offer beautifully decorated, extremely comfortable accommodations with a sink and granite counter in each room. The amenities of the residence hall allow retreatants to take advantage of our retreats year-round.

Camping continues to be an option for anyone coming here during the warm months. Bring your own tent and gear and sleep under the big open sky on Tara Mandala’s beautiful land. All facilities, including full baths, are in the community building.

35 TARA MANDALA RETREAT CABINS

Our retreat land, located at 7500-8000 feet elevation, presents varied weather conditions. Summer days are sunny and can reach the 90’s with afternoon thunderstorms likely. Nights may be quite cool in the 40’s-50’s, requiring a warm sweater or jacket.

For more information about our current retreat schedule, or to schedule a solo retreat, please visit our website at www.taramandala.org or call (970) 731-3711 x108.

Retreat, or returning back to a place of origin, is an age-old practice in many cultures. Our retreat cabins provide a rare and precious opportunity to be completely secluded and alone in a remote mountain setting. Here you are free to maintain intensive practice and connect with your innermost being.

All of our cabins are ideal for solitary retreat. They feature vast views and are remotely located for ultimate privacy. Each cabin has a single bed, wood stove heat, a gas burner or stove, and kitchen supplies. You bring your own food, bedding, and practice materials. Shopping once a week is provided for longer retreats.

Rental Fees Retreat cabins may be rented for a minimum of two nights, and as long as a number of years with the permission of an authorized teacher; rates are based on length of rental. Retreat fees cover cabin rental, fuel (wood and propane), retreatant care (weekly shopping for retreats of more than one week in length), and various supplies. Food is not provided. 2 Nights (minimum stay*) = $70/night | 3-5 Nights = $50/night 6-28 Nights = $40/night | 28 Nights or more = $700/month ($23/night) *Minimum stay varies based on weather, and can be as long as one week during winter months.

36 THE COMMUNITY BUILDING The Community Building was the first structure to be built at Tara Mandala and was completed in 2005. It is a 6000 sq’ double-walled, adobe structure which houses our kitchen, dining room, store, full bathrooms with soaking bathtubs, and offices.

The wood for this building was harvested from the land using horses, and Lama Gyurme and his brother Palden from Tibet were the artists for the wood carving and painting. All the interior plasters are different colors of clay found on the land, and the decorative paintings of traditional Tibetan motifs were created using natural mineral pigments. TARA MANDALA STORE The Tara Mandala Store carries a variety of Buddhist and Tibetan treasures to support one’s practice. The store carries a unique selection of art, textiles, practice and ritual items such as , statues, bell & dorjes, Chöd drums, shrine items, malas, counters, high-grade Tibetan and Bhutanese incense, clothing and much more..

In addition to Lama Tsultrim’s autographed books, Feeding your Demons and Women of Wisdom, we have a variety of books on Sutrayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana Buddhism, as well as on Yoga, the Divine Feminine, Dzogchen, and Chöd.

The Store is also home to the ever popular Tara Mandala Herbs, 21 herbal formulas infused with awareness and cultivated directly from the land or near by mountains.

To place an order, you may visit our website: www.taramandala.org, email [email protected], or call (970) 731-3711 x103. We are continually updating our product selection, so please feel free to offer your feedback. 37 The Trikaya Tara Temple

The main temple at Tara Mandala was born from a dream Lama Tsultrim Allione had during a year-long solitary retreat on June 5, 2001, the night of the Buddha’s birthday. The dream began with depth radiant blue, and then the three levels and mandala formation were revealed to her by the great Dzogchen master from the 8th century, Vimalamitra.

The 12,000 sq’ temple was constructed between 2007-2009 using the skills of traditional Bhutanese wood carvers and Tibetan artists. • The third and top floor represents mind and the pure awareness: Dharmakaya. This is an open room with four doors and is painted the blue from the original dream. • The second floor represents sacred speech and the luminous radiance of pure form: Sambogakaya. This floor houses offices, guest quarters for visiting teachers, library and archives. • The ground floor represents the physical embodiment of enlightened energy in our world: Nirmanakaya. This level is the main temple with a circumambulation corridor and four entrances.

The exterior has more than eighty uniquely painted lintels such as a series of twelve astrological animals, mythic beasts and animals representing the elements, deities for each direction and are located on each of the three floors representing the three kayas.

The artist for the entire temple was Lama Gyurme Rabgye who worked with David Petit and Lama Tsultrim Allione to create one of the most exquisite representations of Vajrayana in the world. 38 Manifesting the Mandala 2013 from Lama Tsultrim Allione

When we launched our first major Capital Campaign in 2004, we were sitting in the grove of oaks we called ‘Little Italy’ at a table under a tarp near the outdoor kitchen. At that time we had no buildings with solid walls. When we sweep forward to what we as a community have manifested, it is really quite astonishing.

Between 2004 and 2009, we built three large, beautiful, eco-friendly buildings as well as creating the Children’s Temple, beautiful gardens, a grow-dome, walking paths, roads, electricity, solar systems, sewage systems, and wells. We now have an amazing three-story mandala temple adorned with some of the most extraordinary paintings and wood carvings in the West, a temple that is a unique testament to the sacred feminine in Buddhism. Nothing like our temple exists in the world.

Also, we can now offer guests comfortable, nurturing housing in Prajna Residence Hall as well as the ever popular camping option. Prajna has natural ochre walls, each room with a sink and granite countertop, and there are soaking tubs, showers, and toilets in the hallways. Our beautiful Community Building houses our successful store with our own line of healing herbs and aroma therapy products, our own CDs, DVDs, and now books from our own publishing company, Machig Publications, as well as many other Dharma items. The Community Building also contains a commercial kitchen and sunlit dining room, as well as our offices and bathing facilities for campers (including deep, soaking bathtubs!). We have 6 unique cabins for solo retreats, plus four staff cabins, and six canvas yurts.

As we approach our 20th anniversary, Tara Mandala carries no debt. Our land and buildings are fully paid for, securing our future as a place of deep retreat, , and renewal. Much gratitude to everyone who has helped to manifest the mandala over the past 20 years; may the benefit be limitless! Phase 3 Capital Campaign This year we are embarking on Phase 3 of our capital campaign. We are fundraising for three projects: •Landscaping the Tara Temple •Staff Housing •Ritual Activities Rooms at the East entrance of the Temple. Landscaping the Tara Temple We have exciting landscaping plans. These will include earth moving to shape and extend the area around the temple in order to define its boundaries. We will also build 5 exterior fire offering tables in traditional designs with etched (one for the supreme offering and four enlightening activities in the four directions) as well as a circumambulation path, ponds, constructed wetlands, parking, picnicking areas, ‘sang’ kang for offering juniper smoke, dance and performance amphitheater, ceremonial entrance, garden installation, watering system, signage and way-showing markers.

39 L andscape S ponsorship opportunities Ponds and Constructed Wetlands: $5,000 Amphitheater stage: $5,000 Amphitheater construction: $5,000 Parking areas: $5,000 Circumambulation Path: crushed granite and local stone: $10,000

The following donations will cover the construction of the gardens and offering tables in each of the directions, including landscape architects schematics and working drawings, site survey, hardscaping, labor and materials.

Center - Supreme Enlightening Activity: $20,000 (combines all four activities and is the highest activity) East - Buddha Enlightening Activity: $20,000 Peacemaking (pacification of war, conflict, and imbalance in nature and the elements) South - Ratna Enlightening Activity: $20,000 Enriching (prosperity, growth, fertility) West - Padma Enlightening Activity: $20,000 Magnetizing (health, strength, power) North - Karma Enlightening Activity: $20,000 Subduing (conquers negativity, provocations, and harmful influences) Total Cost Estimate for Landscaping: $130,000

Staff Housing Designs for passive solar, eco-friendly, non-toxic housing have been created by the temple architect, Courtney King. They will be individual cottages with kitchens, running water, and bathrooms. They will be built on the hill behind the temple with vast views of the mountains to the East and good southern exposure for passive solar. We would like to complete two cottages this year and eventually build ten. C ategories : Buddha - Meditation Room: $10,000 Vajra - Study, Bookcases, Storage: $ 10,000 Ratna - Kitchen: $20,000 Padma - Bedroom and Bathroom: $25,000 Karma - Labor: $40,000 Cost per cottage: $105,000

Ritual Activities Rooms in the East entrance On either side of the interior East entrance is a space which, until now, has remained unfinished. Here we will place walls on either side and to the South will be a kitchen for ritual activities (such as tsog and Drubchen) and for visiting and other teachers. The other side will be for storage and Torma making. On the walls of the hallway of the East entrance will be paintings of the 4 Great Kings and double doors with windows echoing the windows in the four directions in the main temple.

40 S ponsorship opportunities : Painting of the Four Great Kings of the Four Directions by Lama Gyurme: Eastern - White Great King Yulkhorsung who holds the Vina (lute) surrounded by flying Gandarvas: $2000 Southern - Blue Great King Phagkyepo holding a sword surrounded by Yama class of beings: $2000 Western - Red Great King Chenmizang holding a long snake surrounded by a host of nagas (water spirits): $2000 Northern - Green Great King Namthose holding a mongoose surrounded by yakshas: $2000

R itual A ctivities R ooms Kitchen including commercial stove, 2 refrigerators, cabinetry, countertops, dishwashers, and labor: $40,000 Torma Room including sink, cabinetry, and labor: $15,000 Total Cost Estimate for Ritual Activities Rooms: $63, 000 We have already invested in plans and initial planning for these projects. Your continued support will take Tara Mandala to the next phase and provide the Mandala-like setting for our Tara Temple, housing for our hardworking staff, and space for the ritual arts in the temple. Although we have made these specific sponsorship opportunities, you may also contribute by sponsoring a Tara from the 1000 Tara Thangkha. The 1000 Tara Thangkha Lama Tsultrim was given a One Thousand Tara Thangkha in the spring of 2006 by Ken and Petra Sloan. The Thangkha was painted by a Nepalese master painter, an extraordinary feat. It pictures a central green Tara figure, representing enlightened action, surrounded by 1000 smaller Taras, each perfectly painted with ornaments, gestures, and features. The Thangkha came with a black and white line drawing numbering each of the Taras. Now each Tara may be sponsored for $1000. We are thankful for everyone who has contributed in this way, choosing a number of particular personal significance, to honor a loved one or a special event. Over the years, we have raised $650,000 through the Tara Thangkha. Please consider joining the 1000 Tara campaign; we have a payment plan for one or two years. The names of all sponsors will be placed in a book that will reside permanently in the temple.

In Phase 3 we need to raise $395,000 to complete these projects (this figure covers 2 cottages for staff out of our goal of 10). We continue to reach out to all of those inspired to manifest the vision of creating inviting spaces for deep retreat and practice. Although we offer specific fundraising categories, all donations are most welcome. We also have a Legacy Circle for those putting Tara Mandala in their bequests. We invite you to join our efforts at whatever level of participation you are able to. If you would like to see architectural plans and detailed budgets or speak to someone about a donation of stocks (which may be given without accruing capital gains), please contact our Director, Shellie Noyes: (970) 731-3711 ext. 110 or shellie@ taramandala.org. You may also donate any amount online at https://taramandala. org/donate, just make a note on the donation page that your gift is for Phase 3 of the Capital Campaign.

41 LIVING DHARMA VOLUNTEER

The intention of the Living Dharma Program is to offer participants the opportunity to develop the skills and abilities with which to integrate Dharma practice and mindfulness in daily life. Through the teachings of Vajrayana, volunteers will gain a new perspective on how Dharma practice can transform the attitude with which one approaches all aspects of life and work. Creating such a shift in perspective requires significant effort on the part of the volunteer; one is invited to take on this challenge through service, the support of a practice community, and a curriculum of Dharma teachings and practice.

Volunteers receive room and board, which varies by season. Volunteers work an average of 35 hours per week at an assigned job. Work opportunities include kitchen, temple, garden, land crew, retreat setup/breakdown, the Tara Mandala Store, Prajna residence hall, the community building, and the office.

Those who can make a full 3 month commitment participate in the Three Yana Retreat in June. Following that period, daily group practice and weekly teachings with an authorized teacher comprise the core of the spiritual curriculum. The evening teaching sessions of group retreats is sometimes available, depending on the boundaries of each retreat. Volunteers also take part in all community practices, events, councils, and karma yoga. While personal practices are honored without discrimination, all Living Dharma Volunteers must make a commitment to fully participate in the Vajrayana teachings and practices offered.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. A one-month minimum commitment is required and preference is given to applicants who are available for longer periods. Visit our website for more information.

“As a volunteer, you’re really offering yourself to the Dharma, and the karmic effects of such are abundant. Between the incredible teachers, the profound teachings, the family- like community, and the many offerings of the land itself, you feel truly blessed and held. If you want a summer of pure relaxation and spiritual coasting, the Living Dharma pro- gram at Tara Mandala is the wrong choice. If you want to challenge yourself, face your ‘stuff,’ delve into the beautiful teachings, and create bonds that will last a lifetime, Dakini Land awaits!” -Eric Anderson, Volunteer

42 LEGACY CIRCLE

As Tara Mandala offers a haven of rest and renewal, a sanctuary for deep practice and insightful teachings in an increasingly chaotic world, you might consider helping it thrive beyond your lifetime. What can we do now to help Tara Mandala flourish for future generations? One way to safeguard Tara Mandala’s future is to join the Legacy Circle. To find out how to become part of the Legacy Circle, contact: [email protected].

A planned gift can be a way of practicing generosity beyond your lifetime. It is a way of ensuring Tara Mandala’s presence in the lives of your family, future generations, and community members. It is also a way to stabilize the investment many of you have already made in the land and buildings and expresses your commitment to supporting the Dharma.

Thank you for considering Tara Mandala through a planned gift. If you have already planned a gift for Tara Mandala, please let us know so that we may acknowledge you. If you have any questions or would like a copy of sample bequest language, please contact [email protected].

Sustaining Sangha Membership The pledged donations we receive on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis are the financial lifeblood of Tara Mandala. The generosity of our donors provides reliable income for our daily operations. These funds help support our events, scholarship program, and maintenance of the land, community building, and beautiful temple, as well as support our hard-working staff who organize our retreats, accounts, registration, and communications. To join the Sustaining Sangha, contact [email protected]. 43 P.O. Box 3040 www.taramandala.org Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 Pagosa enter C Open Heart

u Solo Retreat Cabins u etreat R AN INTERNATIONAL Vast View Group Retreats Visit taramandala.org for a current retreat calendar and information about solo retreats. 44