The Heart of Buddhism: The Awakened Heart

The Awakened Heart is an online Buddhist studies course in the Tibetan tradition, offered by Tara Mandala as Course Three of "The Heart of Buddhism: A Year of Study & Practice." It is a good fit for anyone who wants to study Mahayana Buddhism in a guided, live setting, whether they are new to the path or continuing through the yearlong program. It is led by Dorje Lopön Chandra Easton, Lopön Karla Jackson-Brewer and Zoketsu Norman Fischer.

What to Expect

The course explores the Mahayana teachings on wisdom and compassion, which are often described as revolutionary. The teachings are illuminated through the feminine embodiment of Prajnaparamita, the perfection of wisdom. The aim is to see how personal awakening can become boundless benefit for all beings.

It runs as a multi-day online program over several weeks. It sits within the Gateway and Magyu offerings, and the page lists it under Extended Studies and Long Term Paths. Each course in the yearlong series builds on the one before while standing alone as a complete teaching, so this one can be taken on its own.

The yearlong program as a whole looks at 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.

About the Teachers

Teachers for this course are drawn from the Tara Mandala community and its wider circle. The material gives each of them only a title and a place in this program.

Dorje Lopön Chandra Easton teaches in the Tara Mandala community, and she also leads a separate program on the Twenty One Taras, offered there as an immersive study of their symbolic meaning, power and purpose through teaching, embodied meditation and mantra.

Lopön Karla Jackson-Brewer is a Lopön within the lineage of Lama Tsultrim Allione and teaches in both this course and the 21 Taras program. Lopön is the title Tara Mandala gives to its authorized teachers.

Zoketsu Norman Fischer is among the teachers of the full yearlong Heart of Buddhism program and joins this course on the awakened heart.

Before You Go

The course takes place online, so you can join from wherever you are. Tara Mandala hosts its programs and live practice groups on yana, its Digital Dharma Hub. Because each five-week course stands alone, you do not need to have taken the earlier courses in the series, though you are welcome to continue through the year if you wish.