Nature of the Group and how to Participate
- Udyana Mandala is a private, informal gathering of friends dedicated to the Dharma. While we don't host public "drop-in" events, our doors are open to anyone with a sincere heart for these teachings. If you feel drawn to the practice, reach out to us. We usually have a brief, friendly chat to ensure our current focus aligns with your path. We aren't a formal organization or non-profit—just a dedicated circle of practitioners.
Community Spirit & Shared Responsibility
Udyana Mandala is an informal gathering—a temporary, inter‑dependent manifestation that arises from the shared aspiration of its members to develop and practice the teachings for the benefit of all beings. While a teacher provides the overall orientation, teachings, transmissions, and guidance, every member shares responsibility for the health, stability, and continued development of the community. This shared responsibility is rooted in the Mahāyāna ethical foundations motivated by bodhicitta. The community exists solely to transmit the teachings, practice together, and support one another so that each participant can progress on the Atiyoga (Great Perfection) path.
Financial Policy
- No fees, dues, or mandatory payments are required to join or to participate.
- Any contributions that are offered are purely voluntary gifts, and we never request donations. Such gifts are never a condition of entry and are not treated as commercial transactions.
- If, on occasion, a group activity takes place in a personal setting, there is a sharing of costs, in which case contributions may be accepted solely to offset actual expenses (food, utilities, supplies). These contributions are always optional and are never required for continued participation.
Scope of Activity
Our focus is the study and practice of Buddha‑Dharma, specifically the Great Perfection (Dzogchen) as transmitted through Garab Dorje, Padmasambhava, Longchen Rabjam, and the lineage that follows. We do not provide therapy, counseling, medical, legal, or financial advice. Participants are encouraged to seek qualified professionals for any such needs. The group is apolitical and does not engage in activism, campaigning, or any political activity.
Operational Style
Meetings take place in video-group-calls, private homes or modest retreat spaces. Gatherings are kept small and are not advertised publicly.
All instruction is given in the vernacular language of the participants; chants and sadhanas are adapted to a Western context (no Tibetan liturgy, simplified practice structures) so they can be performed safely in homes or online. These adaptations affect only the outer form; the essential teachings and the intended realization remain unchanged.
Responsibility & Safety
As an informal circle of friends, we rely on a foundation of mutual respect and personal maturity. We care deeply about the harmony of our space and the well-being of every practitioner; however, because we are not a formal institution, each of us remains the primary guardian of our own well-being. By participating, you are agreeing to look after your own health, safety, and belongings with the clarity and awareness of a sovereign practitioner. This shared accountability allows us to keep our gatherings simple and focused entirely on the Dharma. Please understand that our facilitators and hosts are fellow travelers rather than service providers, and as such, cannot take legal or financial responsibility for individual personal outcomes. We join together in a spirit of trust, with each of us assuming the "risk" and reward of our shared journey.
Summary
Informal: invitation‑only, no public advertising
Shared Stewardship: Rooted in Mahāyāna ethics and mutual responsibility for the community’s health
No fees; only voluntary gifts
Purely spiritual study – no therapy, no politics, no professional services
Personal Responsibility: Each participant is the guardian of their own well-being.
