Live from Dzogchen Beara via Zoom,
5-7 June 2026
What is the feminine principle? Is gender relevant in a tradition focused on non-duality? Who are the great female Buddhist teachers and practitioners? What is the Buddhist view on sexuality and conduct?
Around the world we are embracing the rise of feminine agency. We are collectively starting to look at the cultural and societal limitations gender roles and expectations carry within themselves, for all genders. Vajrayana Buddhism is experiencing a need for change and contemplation too. At the same time, there are misunderstandings and a lack of communication and education around the feminine principle and femininity in Vajrayana Buddhism.
Treasuring the Feminine is a place where we celebrate the unique perspective of Vajrayana Buddhism on the feminine principle, and share experiences and learnings.
This project is open for anyone interested in the feminine principle in Vajrayana Buddhism. Together we explore the teachings of non duality and apply them to the limits of gender identities and social and cultural challenges.
The next Treasuring the Feminine gathering will take place in Dzogchen Beara and online on 5-7 June 2026, Friday and Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.
We will be hearing keynotes from guest speakers and have designated time for reflection and exchange around Treasuring the Feminine in Vajrayana.
This event will complement a teaching weekend on “Healing with Tara“ led by Marcia Schmidt.
Practical info:
We start on Friday 5 June at 7pm Irish time (8pm Paris time), you can find the schedule via the orange button on the left hand side.
The event will be held in English and we are currently investigating wether we can provide translation into German and/or French.
Once you have registered via the orange button 'Get access to this event' you find the blue Zoom button on the left hand side.
Recordings will be provided a while after the event.
What we have done so far
The Treasuring the Feminine project started in 2021 with a symposium of female Buddhist teachers. The outcome was an important reflection on the misunderstandings and conflicts that Vajrayana Buddhist communities had faced that is summarised here. Since then further teachings and interviews have been gathered to build a library that is freely available for anyone to explore on Prajna Online.
The main contributors to the 2021 Symposium were Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche, Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel, Sangye Khandro, Chagdud Khadro, Marcia Schmidt, Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo, Lama Tsultrim Allione, Acharya Judith Simmer-Brown – in order of intervention.
The wish was to gather and reflect on where we are at in Vajrayana Buddhism when it comes to treasuring the feminine. It was also clear that the problems Vajrayāna Buddhist communities had faced had to be explored genuinely, lovingly and honestly.
The group chose to start from the big picture to bring context, and started with the following four questions which emerged from questions sent in by members of various sanghas:
Is gender relevant in a tradition focused on non-duality?
Do we understand the feminine principle in Vajrayana Buddhism?
How can we honour female practitioners and teachers of the past and make their teachings and realization accessible
What is cultural and what is Dharma when it comes to sexuality and conduct?
Please find a PDF summary of the former symposium, including extracts from keynote speeches.
Free access to the video recordings from Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche, Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel, Sangye Khandro, Chagdud Khadro, Marcia Schmidt and more are available.
Open contribution
You can contribute whatever is currently appropriate and possible for you. Our recommendations are:
Suggested contribution: 30 €
If you want to give more: 50 €
If you have less means: 15 €
Your contribution will support the Treasuring the Feminine Project to keep exploring this relevant topic. Prajna is a non-profit.