Teachings, Courses, & Retreats

Kyed Pa Zhi Increasing the Four Life Forces

Date & Time Details:
August 16 - 17, 2025
9:00am - 5:00pm MDT

Location:
Online - Zoom

Kyed Pa Zhi Increasing the Four Life Forces

With Khandro Kunzang Dechen Chodron

August 16 - 17, 2025

With Khandro Kunzang Dechen Chodron

Tara Mandala is honored to host Khandro Kunzang Dechen Chodron for her teachings on the Kyed-Pa Zhi. 

According to Tibetan Buddhist principles, there are four major forces in our lives that affect our well-being and success. They are ’sog’ – life-force; ‘lu’ – body’s health; ‘wang-tang’ – personal power and prosperity; and ‘lung-ta’ – success. These forces continually fluctuate, setting us up for either an enriching, vibrant and successful life, or one of failure, obstacles and frustration. The Tantric Buddhist tradition offers a wealth of practical methods for working with these forces and how to increase and maximize their potential.

In this course, we will learn about these four forces and how they shape our experiences, how to determine when they are low, and how we can skillfully increase and enhance these energies in our own lives, and in the lives of others. Based on the text, “Kyed-Pa Zhi,” by Tep’hugpa Palgon Thinley and commentary teachings by Acharya Dawa Chhodak Rinpoche, as well as principles from Tibetan astrology and medicine, we will learn special mantras, various activities such as making amulets and other special substances, performing simple offering pujas, raising prayer flags, making and consecrating treasure vases, and reciting sutras. Lama Dawa Rinpoche gave these teachings many times during the course of his life, and considered them to be among the ‘Ngakpa’s activities’ – important and effective methods for benefiting others by increasing one’s life, longevity, health, vitality, personal power, prosperity and success.

Program Tuition

Sustaining Level $235
Benefactor Level $295
Supported Level $170


Learn more about available financial assistance options and apply for a scholarship
here

Installment Payment Plan Option at Registration

Understanding that everyone’s financial situation is different, Tara Mandala aims to make programs as accessible as possible. During registration, participants have the option to either pay the program fee in full or select the Installment Payment Plan. For those choosing 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. If retreat enrollment occurs close to the start date, additional arrangements can be made. For any questions or special requests, the Finance Team is ready to assist at care@taramandala.org.

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

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. 

The suggested dana for this program is $40 – $120.

Program Schedule

The live sessions of the program are listed below. All times are Mountain Standard/Daylight Time. Please use this link to see how this daily schedule translates into your timezone.

Saturday and Sunday, August 16-17, 2025

9:00 am – 9:45 am Practice Session
10:00 am – 12:00 pm Teaching Session
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Teaching Session
5:15 pm – 6:00 pm Practice Session


Recording Access 

All participants will have a 1-year access period to the recordings.

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

What is a Tara Mandala Online Program?

Tara Mandala offers online programming via live and pre-recorded curriculum that give you the opportunity to access dharma teachings, engage in guided practice, experience personal retreat and hands-on learning, while connecting with other participants through easy-to-use online platforms and an engaged community network. When needed, the program description and schedule will inform you in advance if and when a specific online session must be attended live if a direct transmission (Tib. lung) may be given. Access to recordings of all sessions will be available for additional viewing for one year. 

Online Programs Cancellation and Refund Policy

Date & Time Details:
August 16 - 17, 2025
9:00am - 5:00pm MDT

Location:
Online - Zoom

About the Teacher

Khandro Kunzang Dechen Chodron
Khandro Kunzang Dechen Chodron Khandro Kunzang has been a devoted student and follower of the Dharma for most of her life. In the early 1990’s, she left behind a promising career, family, home and friends, to pursue her practice of the Dharma and became a novice nun in the Drikung Kagyu lineage, studying under…