The Mani Retreat is a unique, landmark event in the 31 year history of
Chenrezig Institute and in the Western world. You may recall eight years ago in November we began the first ever Mani Retreat to be held in the west. This
retreat was conducted at the request of our founding Lama and Spiritual
Director, Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche who is a highly revered and respected
teacher in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Lama Zopa thought it appropriate
that Chenrezig Institute should conduct an annual Chenrezig Retreat in the
manner of the old Tibetan Buddhist traditions of the past, as conducted in
Himalayan regions. The introduction talk given by Lama Zopa at this very first Retreat back in 2000 can be found at http://www.lamayeshe.com/acatalog/tmr.html
The primary focus of this retreat is to promote world peace and the recited
mantras are especially dedicated to the long life of His Holiness the Dalai
Lama and all our precious Dharma teachers.
Mani 2008 a Success
This years 8th annual formal Gompa Mani Retreat has come and gone with over 3 million malas of the mantra 'Om Mani Padme Hum' completed by a small but dedicated group of retreaters.
"It was inspiring to see both newcomers and older students
taking part in the retreat, working together to create a beautiful, gentle
energy in the gompa, interspersed with some moments of intense giggling as the
blissful effects of reciting the mantra filled our minds. Thank you to everyone
who participated, offered their recitations and supported the retreat – we look
forward to gathering together again next year and hope you can pop in for a
session too." -An anonymous retreater-
What is a Mani
Retreat?
A Mani retreat
is time set aside to focus on reciting the mantra OM MANI PADME HUM,
meditating and visualising the Buddha of Compassion, Chenrezig.
Mantra means to ‘protect the mind’ - the mantra OM MANI
PADME HUM not only protects but also develops within the individual
the deepest qualities of compassion, loving kindness and inner peace. By
developing these qualities, one can transform one’s life and help to
transform the lives of others. The Mani Mantra is said to bring enormous
benefit to those reciting it, their families and the country in which it is
recited, and ultimately benefits all living beings.
"Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in
rebirth or not, there isn’t anyone who doesn’t appreciate kindness
and compassion" The Dalai Lama
The retreat commenced in November and will continue until Saka Dawa on June
18th 2008. In his great kindness and aware of our extremely busy lifestyles,
Lama Zopa has composed a short practice available to anyone who wishes to
participate in the retreat from the convenience of their own home. Australians
from afar and participants from abroad may register a pledge by emailing
.
This also means that it doesn’t matter where you live in order to join
us!
If you can spare 20 minutes per day, ten of those minutes you may wish to
spend on the practice and another 10 on reciting the OM MANI PADME HUM mantra.
If you feel comfortable to do so you may pledge a specific number of mantra recitations on a daily basis. Once you have
registered or expressed interest via email the short practice will be emailed
or posted to you. Generally speaking this practice can be done quite quickly
and then time can be spent on the recitations, followed by the dedication.
We understand that if you have not done such a practice before then you may
have questions related to it. If so, then please feel free to email Lhamo for
advice at
In
the past people have asked about such things as the pronunciation of the
mantra, the sequence of prayers etc. Don’t be shy, all questions are good
questions.
