Dharma Study Group 2026 – ONLINE ONLY

VAJRAYANA MAHAMUDRA

In 2026 we will be continuing to study Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden’s text, Great Treasury of Mahamudra. Having completed the sutra section of the text in 2025, we will next move to Part 5, the Mahamudra of the Vajrayana system.

Having reviewed the various methods of emptiness meditation according to the sutra tradition, we now move on to the special methods and approach shown in the vajrayana – with a special focus on highest yoga tantra according to the presentation of the Guhyasamaja system.

Prerequisites to attend

As the content includes commentary on the methods and practice of highest yoga tantra, participants will need to have received a highest yoga tantra empowerment – eg those of Yamantaka or Vajrayogini.

The study group may be especially useful for people who have recently taken highest yoga empowerment, as over the course of the sessions we will cover all the key points of highest yoga tantra practice as summarised in Geshe Loden’s text. However it will be beneficial for highest yoga tantra practitioners of all levels.

All reading material will be provided for each session.

Schedule

In term one the study group will be held online from 2pm to 4pm (Melbourne time) on the following dates:

Saturday March 14

Saturday April 18

If you haven’t attended the Dharma study group before but would like to join online, you’re very welcome. There is no assumed knowledge, however it should be noted that the study of this part of the book would probably be considered to be an intermediate/advanced level of Buddhist analysis. If we cover material that’s not familiar to you during the sessions you are very welcome to ask questions at any point. We want to make sure that everyone gets as much practical benefit from the sessions as possible. Also, you may choose to participate actively or, if you prefer, you can sit back and listen.

Mahamudra is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘great seal’ and refers to the nature of all phenomena. When applied to the mind, Mahamudra practice and meditation focuses on mind itself and the relationship between mind and reality generally.  When our mind confuses reality with fantasy problems arise.  Understanding the relationship between mind and reality is essential to achieve liberation and enlightenment, which is the goal of Mahamudra practice.

It is not a problem if you don’t have the book ‘Great Treasury of Mahamudra’, as we will be sending out a scan of the chapter in advance of each session. However if you have highest yoga tantra empowerment and would like to purchase the book, you can purchase it here.

Facility charge

The facility charge is a one-off payment of $15 whether attending one or more sessions during the term, with funds going towards the maintenance of our precious temple.

Registration

If you are a Tibetan Buddhist Society vajrayana student, and would like to register, please email events@tushita.org and we will send you the link to the registration form.

If you are not a Tibetan Buddhist Society Vajrayana student and would like to register, please click the pre-registration form here, and if you are eligible, we will send you a link to the registration form.