About Tara Mandala
The Organization
Tara Mandala is a vibrant international Buddhist Community with groups around the world. It was established in 1993 by Lama Tsultrim Allione and her late husband, David Petit, to foster the development of innate wisdom for the benefit of all beings.
The heart of the community is the 700-acre retreat center in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, home to the deepest mineral hot springs in the world. We offer a complete path of meditation practice, study, and deep retreat in the tradition of Vajrayana Buddhism. Tara Mandala is guided by Lama Tsultrim Allione, author of Women of Wisdom, Feeding Your Demons, and Wisdom Rising. Lama Tsultrim has studied Tibetan Buddhism under traditional teachers for more than 45 years.
Tara Mandala Retreat Center
In a chaotic and stressful world, Tara Mandala Retreat Center offers refuge, renewal, and retreat. We provide opportunities for group and solo retreats, a variety of online programs as well as traditional Buddhist training in our residential Living Dharma Apprentice Program.
Bordered by the San Juan National Forest and Southern Ute Tribal Land, the retreat center is on 700-acres of rolling hills and meadows adorned with many varieties of wildflowers, ponds, and forests. The land itself is a mandala with a stunning peak in the middle surrounded by four valleys. Retreat cabins are scattered across the landscape designed for deep retreat, and at its heart, is the extraordinary three-story Tara temple which celebrates the sacred feminine.
We have established two practice paths focused on the teachings of Machig Labdrön, the 11th century Tibetan yogini who founded the tradition of Chöd: Magyu: The Mother Lineage, which includes Wisdom Rising Mandala Training, and the Gateway Program.
We are dedicated to fostering a welcoming atmosphere for all people to explore the teachings of the Buddha, and are committed to cultivating a community that values diversity.
International Buddhist Community
Tara Mandala has a vibrant international web of Buddhist practitioners who meet in groups in many locations in the U.S.A and Europe to engage in a variety of activities. Tara Mandala practitioners are on every continent, gathering for meditation practice, study, dharma teachings, community gatherings, and hosting visiting teacher events.
