Home Mani Retreat 9 begins on 19th November 2009 and end on Saka Dawa

Some eight years ago the Mani Retreat was another wonderful idea of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche (Rinpoche). Rinpoche requested that Chenrezig Institute in Queensland (CI) 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 (MR1) 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 fulfil Rinpoche’s wishes.

It was decided at this point to adapt the retreat to our busy western lifestyles and time constraints and by doing it from our home cushions it would definitely help to achieve the goal. Rinpoche gave permission for ‘home retreaters’ and created a short and 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) 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 9 will begin on November 19th 2008.

Allowing a recess between retreats permits a ‘space’ from the retreat although some are so endeared to the practice that they continue it on a daily basis throughout the year. ‘Inbetween’ they record the manis and offer them at the beginning of the next retreat contributing to the next 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. Or alternatively participants may phone in their monthly count to Caroline by phoning (07) 5492 6592 A/H.

A short practice is emailed to the participant meaning there is an opportunity for anyone to join the retreat at any time. If you would like to participate in this year’s Home Mani Retreat (MR9) 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).

Over the past eight years the manis recited have totalled over 428 million. Of these manis recited over 80% of them have been contributed by the home retreaters. This may appear to be a disappointing result and well short of our intended goal but I think that this is actually quite amazing!! What is abundantly clear is that people from all over the world want to utilise this opportunity to develop the compassionate good heart. Emails come from sangha, Dharma centres, ‘old students’, new students and 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 the years.

Over time I 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 eight consecutive years in a voluntary capacity.