Tara Who Dispels Epidemics Meditation Series

In these 16 one-hour sessions, Lama Döndrup offers a series of pith teachings, a short calm abiding meditation, and the practice of Tara Who Dispels Epidemics. Originally offered on Facebook (and still offered each Tuesday at 8:15am), this series was designed specifically to offer guidance from the Buddhist perspective on how to navigate the current global health crises.

Living in a time of great uncertainty and isolation will easily give rise to fear and many thoughts that disturb one’s sense of ease and well-being. In her teachings, Lama Döndrup offers concise instructions on the Buddhist approach to how to work with these emotions, encouragement, and concise teachings on yidam practice in general.

In each session, Lama Döndrup leads short calm abiding meditation (shamatha), a useful tool that will help you to not follow disturbing thoughts as they arise, and stay grounded, remaining in the present moment; the only moment in which we can affect our experience.

Lama Döndrup then leads the powerful healing practice of Tara Who Dispels Epidemics (Jetsun Drolma Ritö Loma Gyönma). Tara Who Dispels Epidemics is one the 21 forms of Tara. She protects from contagious diseases, pandemics and fevers by destroying them and bringing ease, health, and well-being. In this practice, we call upon Tara to enact her activity of dispelling epidemics through visualization and chanting of her mantra, activating our own innate healing capacities.

This series is an extremely accessible and helpful approach to learning the power and benefit of Vajrayana practices in our everyday lives.

Your Instructor

Lama Döndrup

Lama Döndrup is the Resident Lama of Sukhasiddhi Foundation overseeing the curriculum and offerings at Sukhasiddhi in collaboration with the lamas and dharma leaders on the teachers council. She has practiced and studied in the Buddhist tradition for over twenty five years. After five years of Theravadin Buddhist training, she immersed herself in the teachings and practices of the Shangpa and Kagyu Vajrayana lineages. In 2005, she completed a traditional three-year retreat and was authorized as a lama. Upon her return to Marin County, she began teaching classes and leading meditations at Sukhasiddhi Foundation, and in 2020 was authorized by Lama Palden Drolma as Resident Lama. Lama Döndrup is honored to guide students through all stages of the spiritual journey; helping them to feel confident in their own understanding of practices and teachings; and supporting the natural unfolding of their innate wisdom and compassion. In addition to her Buddhist training, Lama Döndrup trained in the Diamond Approach for seven years and has a Masters of Fine Arts degree in piano performance.