Frequently Asked Questions
Registration
Create your Tergar ID, if you don’t already have one. To do this, select “Sign In” on the website and follow the prompts.
Register:
1. Choose a pricing option
2. Enter your payment information
3. Begin your free trial!
Enjoy access to all our courses throughout the 10-day trial period.
If you have forgotten your password or need support with your Tergar ID, write to [email protected]
The registration process requires basic personal details such as your name, email address, and a chosen password. To access the actual program you need to provide your payment information. It's important to note that no charges will be incurred during the initial 10-day period.
Problems registering in Vajrayana Online are usually because cookies are not enabled. You may also need to check your spam folder if you don't see an email with an activation link in your inbox to complete your registration.
Payment Options
We aim to make Vajrayana Online accessible to everyone, which is why we provide three different pricing options.
Reduced: Tailored for individuals in need of financial support, this option affords access to program content at a reduced rate.
Standard: Aligned with the program's operational costs, the standard tier is suitable for those with the capacity to contribute at the conventional rate.
Sponsor: Oriented towards practitioners desiring to support their peers, the sponsor tier includes the Joy of Living subscription for free. Opting for this tier not only provides personal access but also aids fellow practitioners in their program engagement.
Vajrayana Online extends a complimentary 10-day trial period for first-time subscribers. During this period, you have unrestricted access to all content without incurring any charges. Following the trial period, a payment will be automatically processed based on your provided instructions.
By subscribing to Vajrayana Online, you can access over 20 courses, receive personalized guidance from Tergar guides, participate in weekly live sessions, and become part of a global community of Buddhist practitioners under the guidance of Mingyur Rinpoche. These offerings aim to facilitate deep learning, individualized support, and community engagement within the context of Vajrayana Buddhism. If you choose the sponsor rate, you will receive complimentary free access to the Joy of Living online program.
Getting Started
For those unfamiliar with Vajrayana Online, it is advisable to start by gaining a comprehensive understanding of the program. Explore the diverse range of courses and programs available.
If you are new to Buddhism, a recommended starting point is the “Exploring Buddhism” section at the top of the menu. Subsequently, proceed to “Essentials” and follow the courses in sequential order, beginning with “The Life and Teachings of the Buddha.”
For practitioners on the Path of Liberation who have attended a retreat with Mingyur Rinpoche, consider exploring the section titled “Practicing Path of Liberation.” Within this section, two courses, namely “Ngondro” and “Nectar of the Path,” may be particularly beneficial.
The Nature of Mind Mandala is a community of practitioners dedicated to exploring the profound traditions of Mahamudra and Dzogchen. The teachings and practices herein are restricted in nature and only available to those who have received pointing out instructions on the nature of mind from a qualified lineage teacher. Practitioners that meet prerequisites are encouraged to navigate the Nature of Mind Mandala.
If you have any questions about the prerequisites, please feel free to reach out to [email protected].
Questions About the Yearly Transmissions
Transmission holds a profound place in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Passed down in an unbroken lineage from teacher to student since the time of the Buddha, transmissions represent living expressions of the deepest truths that we gain through meditation.
We now have the rare opportunity to connect with this profound lineage and receive transmissions directly from Mingyur Rinpoche through progressive online courses and a series of live retreats.
The Tergar annual transmission is an offering of direct lineage teachings that can be absorbed through study and practice. Some of the offerings are open to all levels of students, while others may be restricted to those students meeting certain prerequisites.
Every yearly transmission is composed of courses in Vajrayana Online, retreats with Mingyur Rinpoche, workshops with Tergar guides, and events with guest speakers. One will receive the core components of the transmission by following the Vajrayana Online course series.
Transmission Kickoff with a one-hour talk offered by Mingyur Rinpoche and followed by a 30-minute Q&A session with Tergar guides. This talk is open to the general public as well as to Vajrayana Online subscribers.
Voices Course: The transmission starts in August. This first course features weekly live sessions every Wednesday at 10 a.m. ET, in which renowned guest speakers share teachings as well as their personal insights from this profound lineage. The last Wednesday of the month, Tergar guides do a wrap-up of the course and kick off the Essence Course.
Essence Course: Starting every year on September 1st, this course distills the core teachings of the topic of the transmission. It includes live webinars and weekly video teachings with Mingyur Rinpoche, interactive sessions with Tergar guides, curated readings, guided meditations, experiential exercises, and much more.
Immersion Course: This course is a deep-dive into the practice and understanding of the topic. It also includes live webinars and weekly video teachings with Mingyur Rinpoche, interactive sessions with Tergar guides, and much more. The Immersion Course runs from November to July.
NOTE: Following the course schedule allows you to participate in the live elements of transmission. However, you can begin transmission courses at any time and go at your own pace, as all elements are recorded and remain available on the website.
Questions About Prerequisites and Restricted Courses
In Mingyur Rinpoche’s tradition, practices are followed step by step. This ensures that the student is ready for the next level of teachings. Trying to progress to more advanced levels without having done the prerequisite practice is not beneficial and in some cases may produce obstacles.
For this reason, certain courses, retreats, and teachings have prerequisites. When the transmission topic is Mahamudra and/or Dzogchen, the Immersion Courses for that transmission are restricted. Prerequisites are also set for all content included in the Nature of Mind Mandala.
There are two options to meet the prerequisites for accessing restricted content:
Option 1: Attend any in-person Tergar Path of Liberation retreat with Mingyur Rinpoche or Khenpo Kunga.
Option 2: Receive ngondro transmission and nature of mind pointing out from a qualified lineage holder, and have at least 5 years of regular meditation practice.
If you have questions about your qualifications, contact [email protected], and please contact [email protected] for technical support.
About Path of Liberation
The Path of Liberation is an experiential path of meditation for those who wish to practice the Buddhist teachings under the guidance of Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. Encompassing the most important practices of the Kagyu and Nyingma lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, and building on the foundational teachings of the Joy of Living, the Path of Liberation presents a series of meditation techniques from the Mahamudra and Dzogchen traditions designed to strip away the causes of suffering and uncover the radiant awareness that underlies all experience.
There are two tracks in the Path of Liberation series. Each track is designed for a different set of circumstances. The first track is based on a short practice liturgy written by Mingyur Rinpoche entitled Nectar of the Path and is designed for people who have roughly 30–60 minutes for their daily meditation practice. The second track is based on a traditional liturgy for ngondro entitled The Chariot for Traveling the Noble Path. This track works best for those who can practice between one and two hours each day. Both tracks culminate in the practice of a White Tara sadhana written by Mingyur Rinpoche entitled Radiance of the Heart.
Vajrayana Online features a dedicated section designed to provide support to Path of Liberation students. Navigate through the content available in the top menu under “Path of Liberation,” where you will encounter resources for “Practicing Path of Liberation” and courses for each track: “Nectar of the Path” and “Ngondro.”
To learn more about Path of Liberation click here
Vajarayana Online Community
You can participate in one of the many small discussion groups offered around the world. Led by local communities and practice groups, these groups aim to inspire friendship and conversation as an integral part of the Buddhist path. It helps us to feel connected and supported, to clarify key points of practice, and to apply our practice in relationships. Peer-led small groups that meet regularly — whether online or in person — are one of the best ways to enrich our practice in this way.
We encourage everyone in our Vajrayana Online program to take part in a peer-led small group. Explore options by going to “Resources”, and then “Small Discussions Groups”.
Discussion forums welcome any discussions about the teachings and practice. They are monitored by Tergar guides.
You can use a thread to ask anything you like and add “@username” to any comment that you want to be read by a particular guide or course participant.
You need to request access to join a forum. Forums are found under “Resources” in the top menu.