Tantra

The practice of tantra is for serious Buddhist practitioners who are prepared to take life-long vows and commitments. It begins with the taking of an empowerment related to a particular tantric deity. This empowerment qualifies a student to read and listen to commentaries on that deity and to engage in the specific retreat of that deity.

In general before taking an empowerment, it is necessary to have previously taken refuge in a formal ceremony (whereby one officially becomes a Buddhist), although some lamas permit one to formally take refuge during the empowerment itself.

When taking empowerments in the classes of Action Tantra (kriyatantra) and Performance Tantra (charyatantra):

  • one must be prepared to take the life-long commitment of keeping the bodhisattva vows.

When taking empowerments in the classes of Yoga Tantra and Highest Yoga Tantra (anuttarayogatantra), one must be prepared:

  • to take the life-long commitment of the bodhisattva vows and tantric vows, and
  • to recite the Six Session Guru Yoga for the rest of one's life.

Since the practice of tantra is based on a mind of renunciation, the wish to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings (bodhichitta), and the wisdom realizing emptiness, it is recommended to precede the taking of a tantric empowerment with an in-depth study and practice of the lam-rim (stages of the path) and lo-jong (mind training) as provided by programs such as Discovering Buddhism, Wisdom & Compassion, the Basic Program, and the Masters Program.

Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa organizes tantric empowerments and commentaries with qualified Tibetan lamas at various times throughout the year.

An annual tantric retreat led by a qualified Western practitioner takes place between February and March.

The study of the Grounds and Paths of Secret Mantra included in the curriculum of the Basic Program is offered as a one-month intensive summer course in 2013. It is open to the students of the Basic Program as well as to Buddhist practitioners who are familiar with the lam-rim teachings and have previously received a Highest Yoga Tantra empowerment.

The Grounds and Paths of Secret Mantra (April-June and Sept.-Dec. 2012) and the Guhyasamaja Tantra (January-June 2013), which are included in the curriculum of the Masters Program, are advanced on-campus and on-line programs that take place nine months a year. Applicants must be familiar with the lam-rim teachings and have previously received the appropriate Highest Yoga Tantra empowerment.