The Gompa retreat in 2010 runs from September 6 to September 19 for full details go here.

Home Mani Retreat 11 begins on 29th October 2010 (ends on Saka Dawa in 2011)

Some nine years ago the Mani Retreat was another wonderful idea of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Rinpoche requested that Chenrezig Institute conduct a Chenrezig Retreat on an annual basis and recite 100,000,000 mani mantras, as was the age-old tradition of Tibet. It seemed absolutely perfect that the Chenrezig Retreat should be the annual endeavour of Chenrezig Institute.

With enthusiasm and the blessings of Rinpoche’s presence the first retreat at CI was very strong with Sangha and lay people participating. It became obvious after 12 weeks of formal retreat and only 25 million mantras recited that some other approach would be necessary if the community was to fulfill Rinpoche’s wishes.

It was decided at this point to adapt the retreat to our busy western lifestyles and time constraints simply by doing it from our home cushions, as this would definitely help to achieve the goal. Rinpoche gave permission for ‘home retreaters’ to participate and created a short, very sweet sadhana for the practice. The retreat would still continue as a formal retreat at the centre and the home retreat concept could then include people from the Dharma community wanting to be involved who otherwise could not physically be there. The help of many was enlisted from FPMT Centres and individuals alike, worldwide. Also clear was that the home retreat was going to take quite some time to accumulate the required number of mantras. An auspicious day was selected to start (usually in November of each year- Buddha’s descent from Tushita Heaven) and an auspicious finishing date affirmed as Saka Dawa (May or June) OR 100,000,000 mantras (whichever came first). Thus was born the Home Mani Retreat and this is the schedule that it still follows.

This year the Home Mani Retreat 11 will begin on October 29th 2010 and will continue through until Saka Dawa on June 15, 2011.

Allowing a recess between retreats permits a ‘space’ from the retreat although some practitioners are so endeared to the practice that they continue it on a daily basis throughout the year. ‘Inbetween’ participants are asked to record the malas recited and offer them at the beginning of the next retreat (contributing to the upcoming retreat count). An email reminder is sent out at the end of each month to participants who have pledged manis (or joined in) requesting they submit their count in malas. This means that the count is progressively accumulated. Alternatively participants may phone in their monthly count to Caroline by phoning (07) 5492 9745 A/H.

A short practice is emailed to the participant meaning there is an opportunity for anyone to join the retreat at any time. One does not have to wait until the “official” start of the retreat to be involved. If you would like to participate in this year’s Home Mani Retreat (MR11) please email There may be questions arising when doing the retreat and these are addressed on an individual basis via the same address. To pledge a specific mani count, please use the online form (CLICK HERE). It is not mandatory for anyone to make a pledge to participate, however in doing so one creates a very positive mental imprint and a firm resolution to participate. Over the past ten years the manis recited have totaled in excess of 442 million mantras. Of these manis recited more than 80% of them have been contributed by the home retreaters. On the face of it this may appear to be a disappointing result and well short of our intended goal but I think that this is actually quite amazing!! And certainly a reason to rejoice! What is abundantly clear is that people from all over the world want to maximise this opportunity to develop the compassionate good heart. Emails come from Sangha, Dharma Centres, ‘old students’, new students, brand new students and even prisoners. In my role as ‘book-keeper’ I am delighted and grateful every time I am able to record that even ONE mala has been recited bringing us closer to fulfilling Rinpoche’s wishes and I sincerely thank everyone who has contributed over these many years.

Over time we have come to understand that the purpose of the retreat is not the number of manis recited. It is the development of compassion with persistence, determination, effort and dedication. Best expressed in the words of His Holiness the Dalai Lama “The prime mover of every human action is the motivation or the determination. First, our motivation should be simple and sincere. Whether we achieve the goal or not does not matter so long as our motivation is very sincere and we make an attempt. Finally, even if we fail to achieve our goal, we won’t regret making the effort”. Universal Responsibility and the Inner Environment HHDL

In the words of Rinpoche, “Everyone is most welcome to join in the Mani Retreat”.

Caroline Crossman is an invited Elder of Chenrezig Institute, mother of Darcey, businesswoman and co-ordinator of the Home Mani Retreat for nine consecutive years in a voluntary capacity