Scholarship Guidelines

In order to receive a scholarship you must:

  • Submit a letter of recommendation from a spiritual teacher, who has received tantric initiation into the Mahasukha Kula and has undertaken private retreats. The teacher signing the letter of recommendation need not be the applicant’s personal teacher. The letter must affirm that the applicant is ready and capable of undertaking a private retreat of five (5) days or more (see below). 
  • Alternatively,  initiates with retreat experience may apply without a recommendation letter. 
  • Propose a private retreat of at least five (5) days duration. Private retreats are those undertaken alone or with a partner. They are not undertaken in a group. A recipient can do a retreat at a retreat center, at his/her primary residence, or anywhere else appropriate. Retreats can be designed for a number of purposes, but the overall goal should be spiritual advancement through silent meditation and/or recitation for an extended length of time. (See below for full definition.)
  • Articulate goals that are appropriate for the type, level, and duration of the retreat proposed.
  • Demonstrate an appropriate level of understanding of how to do a retreat.
  • Have a date and preferred place for the retreat (e.g. have done the necessary research to find a place suitable for a retreat).
  • Have caretakers’/servers’ agreement to serve the retreat, if needed.
  • Submit a budget for the funding needed for the retreat.
  • Agree to provide some sort of service to the community upon completion of the retreat

If you satisfy the scholarship criteria above, you are eligible for a scholarship. If the Scholarship Program does not have enough funding to award all eligible scholarship requests, priority will be given to applicants who:

  • Demonstrate the greatest financial need.
  • Have generated at least 50% of their total retreat expenses.
  • Have given exceptional service to others.
  • Have given exceptional service to the dharma.

Application Due Dates: March 15, June 1, September 1, December 1

Application Procedures

  • Complete the application, including supporting information needed to provide detailed answers to all questions. Addresses for submission are on the submission form. From the application due date that your completed application is received by, please allow up to one month to be notified of the status of your award, and two more weeks to receive your check.
  • Submit letter of recommendation from a spiritual teacher, who has received tantric initiation into the Mahasukha Kula and has undertaken private retreats.
  • Submit materials documenting the place in which you will do your retreat.
  • Submit any supporting materials you believe you need to demonstrate financial need, exceptional service to others, exceptional service to the dharma, your qualifications, your proposed budget, and your potential for succeeding in completing your retreat. These materials can include letters of recommendation from other individuals familiar with your service, financial situation, or qualifications. All information submitted will be kept confidential.

Description of Types of Retreats Supported

  • Private retreats are those undertaken alone or with a partner. They are not undertaken in a group. This does not mean that a recipient cannot do a retreat at a retreat center or at his/her primary residence. It does mean, in general, that you live in a private room or building and that you have minimal to zero interaction with individuals other than your partner (if applicable) for the duration of your retreat, including in-person contact and contact by mail, email, text, telephone or other means of communication. You may communicate your needs to your server(s), but this communication should, in general, be short and clear and by the written word - not by speech. Retreats can be designed for a number of purposes, but the overall goal should be spiritual advancement through silent meditation and/or recitation for an extended length of time.