Foundations of Buddhist Tantra Course
Foundations of Buddhist Tantra Course
June 8 - August 31, 2025
About this Retreat
Greg is a Buddhist teacher, writer, and the director of YDL. For over a decade he has been sharing his wisdom and guidance through leading meditation groups, retreats, and online and in-person classes. His dedication to helping others is evident in his commitment to supporting and inspiring fellow practitioners in their own spiritual journey, as well as his ability to present the ancient traditions in a way that is accessible and relevant to modern life.
Greg has practiced and studied the Dharma extensively under the guidance of his root teacher, Younge Khachab Rinpoche since 2004. Greg has received many teachings and transmissions from Rinpoche, and completed various group and personal retreats, including regularly attending the annual ten day summer Dzogchen retreat. He has diligently served Rinpoche in many roles, including transcribing teachings, editing texts, translating many of the sadhanas and practices currently in use by the YDL Sangha, as well as serving as the director of YDL for over ten years. His more formal Buddhist education includes traditional Buddhist shedra studies. Greg has also received teachings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Tharchin, and Kusum Lingpa among others.
Greg currently makes his home in Seattle, Washington and is committed to supporting and inspiring other practitioners who have dedicated their lives to waking up and living a life of compassion, generosity and kindness. You can follow Greg's writing on his website lifes.work.
Jon Dilley has been a meditator since 1999. He met his Buddhist teacher, Younge Khachab Rinpoche in 2003. After building a firm relationship with Khachab Rinpoche, Jon was asked to teach meditation. Since then one of Jon's aims has been to educate and foster meditation students wherever requested.
Jon has received diverse teachings in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, including from His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama. He has also received instructions on Zen and Theravada philosophy and meditation techniques. His more formal Buddhist education includes several Shedra (Buddhist University) courses. Jon regularly attends meditation retreats, including an annual ten-day long intensive silent retreat with this teacher Younge Khachab Rinpoche.
Jon teaches online learning and attends group retreats, as well as serving as the Vice-President of the Younge Drodul Ling Board of Directors.
Jon teaches classes for all levels of meditation students, including mindfulness, insight, personal development, compassion, and Buddhist philosophy.
Our mission is to inspire practitioners to not only learn about the benefits of meditation but to make the practices their own and embrace a more thoughtful and compassionate way of thinking.
Details of this retreat
Join us on a Sangha led course on the Foundations of Tantric Practice.
This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the foundations of Buddhist Tantra, especially as preserved in the Kagyu and Nyingma Tibetan traditions. We’ll examine the core principles, vows, and practices that distinguish the tantric path, and explore how they fit within the broader framework of the path.
You’ll learn:
The principles of the tantric view and its methods for awakening our buddhanature
The role of the guru, the meaning of empowerment, and the importance of samaya
How the generation stage works and how to practice correctly
What it means to progress through sadhana and begin the completion stage
Understand key frameworks like the Nine Yanas and the Six Yogas of Naropa
You’ll also receive practical guidance for engaging with tantric sadhanas, tantric altar setup, offerings, mudras, and the symbolic instruments of vajra, bell, and damaru.
Whether you’ve recently received empowerment or are looking to deepen your understanding, this course grounds tantric practice in its proper view and commitments so the path becomes clear and workable.
This course is for:
Students with a foundation in Buddhist practice, especially in the Vajrayana
Practitioners preparing to receive or deepen their connection to the lineage with empowerment
Anyone seeking a clear and grounded overview of tantric principles and methods
This is a practice-support course. The aim is to help you orient, commit, and move forward with clarity and integrity.
Each week we will have weekly readings, group discussions, and senior student led Dharma talks. There are weekly group video discussions on Sundays at 6pm CT via Zoom.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Deity, Mantra, and Wisdom by Jigme Lingpa
Heart Advice by Younge Khachab Rinpoche
Course Format
Each week includes:
Readings
Group discussions
Dharma talks by senior students
Weekly Zoom sessions on Sundays at 6pm CT
All course materials and discussions will be hosted on Circle, our online community platform. Join the conversation, access teachings, and stay connected throughout the course.
Registration
Suggested Donation: $50
Free for Kyilkhor Sponsors (course is included with your membership)
Your donation helps support the our Sangha and Rinpoche's activity. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the foundations of Buddhist Tantra, especially as preserved in the Kagyu and Nyingma Tibetan traditions. We’ll examine the core principles, vows, and practices that distinguish the tantric path, and explore how they fit within the broader framework of the path.
You’ll learn:
The principles of the tantric view and its methods for awakening our buddhanature
The role of the guru, the meaning of empowerment, and the importance of samaya
How the generation stage works and how to practice correctly
What it means to progress through sadhana and begin the completion stage
Understand key frameworks like the Nine Yanas and the Six Yogas of Naropa
You’ll also receive practical guidance for engaging with tantric sadhanas, tantric altar setup, offerings, mudras, and the symbolic instruments of vajra, bell, and damaru.
Whether you’ve recently received empowerment or are looking to deepen your understanding, this course grounds tantric practice in its proper view and commitments so the path becomes clear and workable.
This course is for:
Students with a foundation in Buddhist practice, especially in the Vajrayana
Practitioners preparing to receive or deepen their connection to the lineage with empowerment
Anyone seeking a clear and grounded overview of tantric principles and methods
This is a practice-support course. The aim is to help you orient, commit, and move forward with clarity and integrity.
Each week we will have weekly readings, group discussions, and senior student led Dharma talks. There are weekly group video discussions on Sundays at 6pm CT via Zoom.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Deity, Mantra, and Wisdom by Jigme Lingpa
Heart Advice by Younge Khachab Rinpoche
Course Format
Each week includes:
Readings
Group discussions
Dharma talks by senior students
Weekly Zoom sessions on Sundays at 6pm CT
All course materials and discussions will be hosted on Circle, our online community platform. Join the conversation, access teachings, and stay connected throughout the course.
Registration
Suggested Donation: $50
Free for Kyilkhor Sponsors (course is included with your membership)
Your donation helps support the our Sangha and Rinpoche's activity. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
