The Heart of Buddhism A Year Long Buddhist Studies Program
With Lama Tsultrim Allione, Amelia Hall PhD, Lopön Karla Jackson-Brewer MS, Robert Thurman PhD, Dorje Lopön Charlotte Rotterdam MDiv, Miranda Shaw PhD, Dorje Lopön Chandra Easton, Tulku Ösel Dorje, Wendy Garling and Erik Pema Kunsang
January 31 - November 21, 2025
With Lama Tsultrim Allione, Amelia Hall PhD, Lopön Karla Jackson-Brewer MS, Robert Thurman PhD, Dorje Lopön Charlotte Rotterdam MDiv, Miranda Shaw PhD, Dorje Lopön Chandra Easton, Tulku Ösel Dorje, Wendy Garling and Erik Pema Kunsang
Welcome to The Heart of Buddhism: A Year Long Buddhist Studies Program. Throughout 2025, we’ll explore the history, core teachings, and practices that guide Buddhist practitioners in the Tibetan tradition in waking up to their true nature of innate compassion and wisdom. The Buddhist path offers profound guidance for working with the individual and collective challenges we face — and transforming suffering into liberation. These teachings show us how we can each become a light in the darkness, embodying the luminous spaciousness that is the heart-essence of who we are.
Each five-week course builds upon the previous while also standing alone as a complete course. Join the year-long cohort to meet the teachers, meet other practitioners, and develop connections. For those who complete the whole course, a Certificate of Completion will be offered.
The Path of Liberation (January 31 – February 28, 2025) with Lama Tsultrim Allione and Dr. Amelia Hall, featuring Wendy Garling
- Learn time-tested shamatha practices for stability in uncertainty
- Discover feminine perspectives on the Buddha’s awakening
- Transform personal challenges into sources of wisdom
What the Buddha Taught (March 21 – April 18, 2025) with Dr. Amelia Hall, featuring Lama Tsultrim Allione
- Learn how the Four Noble Truths address contemporary suffering
- Discover practical applications of karma and interdependence
- Experience how meditation reveals innate wisdom
The Awakened Heart (May 22 – June 19, 2025) with Dorje Lopön Chandra Easton and Lopön Karla Jackson-Brewer, featuring Professor Robert A. F. Thurman
- Practice tonglen for working with collective suffering
- Study the Heart Sutra’s feminine expression of emptiness
- Engage in the rich practice of the Six Paramitas within the context of your daily life
Sacred View, Sacred World (September 5 – October 3, 2025) with Dorje Lopön Charlotte Rotterdam, featuring Lama Tsultrim Allione and Dr. Miranda Shaw
- Study the rise of the feminine in Tibetan Buddhism
- Transform daily life through sacred view
- Learn the householder approach to practice
The Great Perfection (October 24 – November 21, 2025) with Tulku Ösel Dorje, featuring Lama Tsultrim Allione and Erik Pema Kunsang
- Learn the essential practices for recognizing natural awareness
- Discover feminine perspectives in Dzogchen lineages
- Experience how recognition spontaneously benefits others
Program Schedule
Each session meets from 10am-12pm MST/MDT (Mountain Time) beginning January 31, 2025.
- Course One | Fridays: January 31 // February 7, 14, 21, 28. Exams: March 15, 16
- See how this daily schedule translates into your timezone.
Please note that most of the USA will switch to MDT (Mountain Daylight Time) on March 9, 2025.
- Course Two | Fridays: March 21, 28 // April 4, 11, 18. Exams: May 3, 4
- Course Three | Thursdays: May 22, 29 // June 5, 12,19. Exams: July 1-3
- Course Four | Fridays: September 5, 12, 19, 26 // October 3. Exams: October 18, 19
- Course Five | Fridays: October 24, 31
- See how this daily schedule translates into your timezone.
Please note that most of the USA will switch to MST (Mountain Standard Time) on November 3, 2025.
- Course Five (continued) | Fridays: November 7, 14, 21. Exams: December 6, 7
- See how this daily schedule translates into your timezone.
The Learning Experience
- Flexible learning environment; participate live or study at your own pace
- Live sessions weekly at 10am-12pm MST/MDT (depending on the course)
- Weekly guided practice sessions
- Engage with a global practice community in weekly discussion forums
- All sessions are recorded, and available within 24 hours
Exams & Certificate of Completion: Those who complete the year long program and pass the exams will receive a Certificate of Completion. The exam questions will be available at the end of each course, with exams taking place two weeks later. All participants are invited to take the exams, to integrate and solidify the teachings. Exams are required for those in the Magyu and Gateway programs, and those seeking a Certificate of Completion.
Who Is This Program For? Have you ever wanted to learn about the history and practical application of Buddhism? This program is ideal for both beginners and seasoned practitioners. It is also an excellent foundation point for those looking to formally enter the path of Buddhist practice and study. This program is required for the Magyu and Gateway study pathways, and will be offered annually.
Recording Access: For each of the five courses, all participants will have access to the recorded sessions for one year after that course closes.
Tuition:
- Supported: $895
- Benefactor: $1,345
You can become a Benefactor by donating above the Supported Level. Every additional $450 received into the scholarship fund makes it possible for another person to receive these teachings. Thanks to our program sponsors, Tara Mandala is offering this year long program and each individual course at a subsidized rate.
On behalf of everyone who has received scholarships and expressed their gratitude to Tara Mandala, we extend their gratitude to our generous sponsors and benefactors.
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. To learn more about dana and suggested dana ranges, please click here. The suggested dana for this program is $250 – $750.
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 30 days after the course concludes.
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.
Click Here for Our Online Programs Cancellation and Refund Policy
About the Teachers
