The Kalachakra system offers profound methods for transforming one’s impure perceptions and experiences, and unveiling our deepest reality. Within the context of Buddhist Tantra, there are many systems which provide methods for attaining enlightenment. The Kalachakra Tantra however has a number of unique characteristics that make it particularly important for this time.

For those who aspire to engage in the practice of Kalachakra, it is important to establish a connection with an authentic Kalachakra teacher who is capable of guiding you through the complete Kalachakra system. It is therefore important to identify who are the holders of these teachings and where to find them. The Kalachakra Initiation The Kalachakra Path is fully integrated with the foundational practices of the sutra tradition of Buddhism as taught by Shakyamuni Buddha, but in order to practice Kalachakra, it is necessary to be formally invited, which is the primary purpose of taking an initiation. As is evident, receiving an invitation to this great path is based on causes and conditions of both the receiver and the giver – simply attending the ceremony does not guarantee that one will receive true initiation. So too, the ceremony may form a connection to the path yet it is not the path. One can liken Kalachakra initiation to receiving a seed for practice however it is the practitioner that plants, nurtures and cultivates the seed. Qualified teachers for giving the Kalachakra initiation should have completed extensive practice (retreat) of the generation and completion stage practices. It is not enough simply to receive the initiation and then pass it on to others. The Kalachakra Practice Lineage After receiving a Kalachakra initiation, you are authorised to begin studying and practicing the Kalachakra system. While many others are teaching isolated pieces of the Kalachakra practice, only the Jonang Tradition provides access to the complete path. The Jonang Tradition has taught, practiced and mastered Kalachakra since the 13th century. Today the focus of every Jonang monastery is to master this “King of Tantras” and realise its truth. Sadly other traditions have lost this system of practice in its entirety however some continue to teach segments of the tantra, as transmitted from the Jonang.

Jonangpas (those who possess the complete Kalachakra Tantra) have a great wish that the complete system will be rediscovered by other traditions. For more information please read our introduction to The Jonang Tradition

Practising Kalachakra is the most constructive and favourable way to unveil our own sacred truth, and is a profound method which can enable a serious practitioner to obtain the state of Perfect Buddhahood in a single lifetime. Although some Tibetan traditions offer Kalachakra Tantra, the Jonang tradition is the only tradition which has preserved the entire Kalachakra system of practice. This includes all of the extensive practices from fundamental preliminaries up to the completion process containing the six yogas. This tradition has been practised for centuries in remote parts of Tibet, untouched by politics or modernisation. The recent emergence from Tibet brings with it an authenticity and purity almost impossible to find today. Within the Jonang Tradition, the practice of the Kalachara Path is broken into four distinct phases or sets of practices: