On August 1, 2020, we celebrate Chokhor Duchen, the grand celebration of the most sacred of Shakyamuni Buddha’s Four Holy Days. Sanghas around the world celebrate in different ways. (We’ll try to highlight some celebrations as Youtube Links … watch for updates to this feature.)

Notable among them is 100 Million Mani Retreat by the His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche, starting on July 31 and going to August 7. [Information here>>]

“Now the world is experiencing many difficulties, so it is extremely important that we make extensive prayers. It is an extraordinary time to practice commemorating Chökhor Düchen when all merits are multiplied by the millions. In addition it is a celebration of His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche’s birthday. Therefore as a longevity ceremony for Holiness, we shall reinstate Drubwang Rinpoche’s tradition of the 100 Million Mani Retreat.” — Kyabje Garchen Rinpoche

Whether you participate in the accumulation of the compassion mantra retreat — or celebrate in some other way — there can be no doubt that the Noble Cause of Accumulating 100 Million Mani Mantras is worthy. To help you with your own accumulation, chant along with our new Om Mani Padme Hum video featuring the beautiful voice of Hrishikesh Sonar. We’ll also embed other Mani video play-alongs!

Video: Avalokiteshvara’s Mantra chanted 108 times with beautiful video meditative images of Chenrezig Guanyin:

Avalokiteshvara Compassion Mantra chanted 108 times beautifully by the amazing Hrishikesh Sonar — with stunning meditative images of the Great Compassionate Bodhisattva.

His compassion mantra is Om Mani Padme Hum.

This is considered the most precious of all mantras, chanted millions of times daily by people around the world, and found in nearly all prayer wheels. Avalokiteshvara (Avalokiteśvara (Sanskrit: अवलोकितेश्वर) In Tibet, he is known as Chenrézik on Chenrezig. In East Asia, he or she is commonly known as Guānshìyīn or Guānyīn. Due to Avalokitesahvara’s vast compassion, she or he can appear in any form and manifests in at least 108 forms.

Transcript of Introduction: “Avalokiteshvara’s boundless compassion for all beings is the ultimate expression of Bodhichitta and the ideal manifestation of the Bodhisattva hero. His mantra is the highest expression of Metta, or love, and Karuna, or Compassion. Listen or chant along with the Sanskrit version of his mantra — famous for generating boundless compassion, chanted beautifully by Hrishikesh Sonar with beautiful meditative images. Om Mani Padme Hum”

100 Million Main Retreat and Teachings on the Lama Chöpa Prayer

On August 1st a Birthday Celebration
for His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon on Chokhor Duchen!

by H.E. Garchen Rinpoche
and
Garchen Institute Lamas

Online and In-Person

July 31 – August 7, 2022

Let us all gather online and in person to generate immense love and compassion for all the realms of existence. Engage in the practice of Chenrezig – the Buddha of Compassion by taking part in the accumulation of 100 million Mani mantras.

OM MANI PADME HUM HRI

The continued restoration of Drubwang Rinpoche’s tradition of the 100 Million Mani Retreat will begin on July 31st making it the second year this event is held at the Garchen Institute.

H.E. Garchen Rinpoche requests the worldwide Sangha and all Dharma centers continue to engage in this retreat annually to ensure the continuance of blessings of this very important tradition. This year we will also engage in the Royal tradition of the Mani practice  and the Red Chenrezig practice that is specifically performed at Gar Monastery.

August 1st is Chökhor Düchen, marking the historical Buddha Shakyamuni’s first sermon turning of the Dharma Wheel, we will celebrate the birthday of His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon!

~ Message from H.E. Garchen Rinpoche ~

“Now the world is experiencing many difficulties, so it is extremely important that we make extensive prayers. It is an extraordinary time to practice commemorating Chökhor Düchen when all merits are multiplied by the millions. In addition it is a celebration of His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche’s birthday. Therefore as a longevity ceremony for Holiness, we shall reinstate Drubwang Rinpoche’s tradition of the 100 Million Mani Retreat.

If we do not revive this retreat, the blessings will be interrupted. Currently the only center practicing Drubwang Rinpoche’s Mani Retreat is the Drikung Kagyu OM Centre in Singapore. We all have to restore this specific retreat and it must always be held annually on the fourth day of the sixth lunar month in the Tibetan calendar which is Chökhor Düchen and H.H. Chetsang Rinpoche’s birthday.

If you are unable to attend the formal sessions, it is permissible and important to participate in the Mani recitation and submit your mantra accumulations online.

I am asking all Dharma friends to please join this mantra accumulation practice and to regard this as truly significant.

It is an old man’s wish since it is such a critical time in the world because of the pandemic and so much heat. The world needs many extensive prayers right now!

I encourage ALL to JOIN in this practice. It doesn’t matter what lineage you belong to.

We can pray and practice together as a worldwide Sangha.”

If you have not received the Chenrezig Empowerment, please click on this link to take the empowerment online from H.E. Garchen Rinpoche before attending the Mani Retreat. Click here for Empowerment