Durga Puja: Carnival of the Dakinis

Join us as we celebrate the dakini during the sacred days of Durga puja. There is considerable evidence for the shared inspiritaion and possibly even shared source at the root of both Buddhist and Hindu practice of various dakini or yogini practices. Durga puja is a period dedicated to the ritual observance of Durga as the manifestation of the power, wisdom, and blessings of shakti in the form of Durga after vanquishing the asura Mahishasura.

For our purposes, these five days will be spent in the observance and practice of Vajrayogini. 

On Wednesday, October 9th from 5pm EDT to 7pm EDT, join us as Lama Justin offers the empowerment for the flying form of Vajrayogini known as Maitri Kachöma or Maitri Dakini. This lineage of Vajrayogini practice originated with the 11th century mahasiddha Maitripa who was a student of the great siddha Shavaripa and a teacher of the tibetan translator Marpa who brought the root tantras that for the Kagyu lineage from India to Tibet.

On Thursday the 10th, Friday the 11th, and Saturday the 12th from 5pm EDT to 7pm EDT join us as we hold group practice sessions of Maitri Kachöma along with a torma offering ritual.

As a way to joyfully end this observance on Sunday, October 13th, from 5pm to 7pm EDT, at the request of a student, Lama Justin will offer the empowerment of Chinnamunda, sometimes known as Severed Headed Vajrayogini, as a way of planting seeds of connection with this practice which we will focus on in 2025 as part of a very special program focusing on Vajrayogini based on a series of instructions by Jetsun Taranatha.

We have decided to make this series of events pay what you want. All support offered allows us to continue to offer access to the dharma and to develop programs and the Yangti Yoga Retreat Center Property. Thank you very much for your generosity.

Come join us for this special celebration of the dakini!