Yamantaka Self-Initiation: A Profound Practice of Renewal and Purification
(IN-PERSON) Restricted workshop for those who have completed the Solitary Hero Yamantaka retreat and fire puja. This is a profound method for restoring and purifying bodhisattva and tantric vows, and renewing one’s tantric commitments on the path to enlightenment. This afternoon is a wonderful opportunity for Highest Yoga Tantra deity practitioners to refresh our altruistic intention and reinvigorate our divine pride. We will take a relaxed approach, with time for questions as we go.
We are very fortunate to have Ven. Tsewang lead us in this elaborate practice. With certificate study in Tantric Grounds and Paths, and a personal practice of many years, Ven. Tsewang will include explanation during the ritual, and guide us through the practice based on the understanding she has gained through her years of study.
“Taking self-initiation is highly admired by Lama Tsongkhapa and Lama Tsongkhapa did self-initiation every day. So, you are catching up with Lama Tsongkhapa’s example.”
Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Great masters, including Lama Tsongkhapa himself, have emphasized the importance of repeatedly restoring vows as an essential means of safeguarding the tantric path. Yamantaka Self‑Initiation embodies this advice, offering a method of fierce compassion to transform inner obstacles—especially anger and fear—into the wisdom that conquers death itself.
Major benefits of Solitary Hero Yamantaka self-initiation:
- Purify degenerated or broken tantric and bodhisattva vows
- Receive the four empowerments in full ritual form
- Renew commitment to the tantric path
- Remove obstacles, especially those associated with anger and untimely death (which Yamantaka specifically subdues)
- A major purification method in times of crisis or transition
Approached with humility, correct motivation, and proper authorization, this practice is not merely a ritual, but a profound act of return: returning to one’s vows, to guru devotion, and to the uncompromising determination to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings.
“It is good to do these self-initiations every day so as to be ever more pure…not only the pratimoksha but also bodhisattva and tantric vows. Then, your mental continuum doesn’t get stained from one day to the next, so it is very good. That is the best preparation for death. A lot of people talk about what to do for one’s own death, what to do at that time, only expecting that time to be difficult. So, preparation now is the best thing, then at that time you don’t need any effort, it is very easy, like an airplane taking off in good weather, no bumps, no cyclones or thunder.”
Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Event Details
Please Make a Donation
Thank you for your contribution. All our classes are by donation, and we rely on the generosity of people like you to help keep LTC flourishing and offering events such as this.
Your donation also means we can make a nice offering to the presenter as a gesture of thanks.
Who Can Attend
This is a restricted event. Participants will be asked to confirm that they meet these prerequisites. To participate in this self initiation and tutorial you must have:
- Received the full Vajrabhairava (Yamantaka) empowerment
- Completed the required Yamantaka close retreat, including mantra recitation and fire puja
What You Will Need
Please bring your ritual implements (if you have them): bell, dorje, damaru, inner offering. We do have some gompa ones to use as well.
We now have hard copies of the text in the gompa, so there is no need to download or print…
Upcoming Guided Meditations…
Mindfulness Meditation
Vajrasattva Purification Meditation
A Mindful Heart: A Journey to Inner Strength and Compassion #2