About the Retreat:
This event is only for those who have received their Highest Yoga Tantra Empowerments.
Last year, many of us had the great fortune to receive the blessings of Heruka and Vajrayogini into our hearts through the empowerments bestowed by His Eminence Jhado Rinpoche. A profound way to deepen our connection with Vajrayogini, and to gain the ability to empower ourselves, is to engage in a counting retreat of Vajrayogini’s precious three-OM mantra.
“The Vajrayogini yoga method is extremely powerful. It is just what we need in these degenerate times, with our delusions running rampant and our minds grasping at concretized sense pleasures. Therefore, a method such as this, which has the wisdom to transform delusions, is of the utmost need, especially as it has the profound property of becoming more powerful as delusions becomes stronger.”
– Lama Thubten Yeshe
We warmly welcome you the this Vajrayogini Enabling Action 100,000 Mantra Retreat, an important step for those wishing to deepen their connection with Vajrayogini. It offers the chance to accumulate the required mantra recitations within the supportive and peaceful conditions of retreat.
Over 18 days of practice, there will be plenty of time to complete the mantra count and conclude with the fire puja. On the last day, participants will have the opportunity to engage in the extensive self-initiation, as well as learn a short version – a practice that can be continued daily to purify both bodhisattva and tantric vows.
The Vajrayogini retreat sessions will be led by Venerable Thubten Dechen from Malaysia, who brings a wealth of experience, warmth and insight to support practitioners throughout the retreat.
Please read all the information about the retreat carefully. If you are interested in attending, kindly register below and complete the form. We will be in touch shortly after receiving your registration with details regarding your accommodation and any other relevant information.
Requirements to Attend
Essential:
Empowerment into the Vajrayogini (Naro Kacho) tantra from Gelug tradition.
To have received the Highest yoga tantra prerequisite initiation into Chakrasamvara, Yamantaka, Hevajra, Guhyasamaja, or Kalachakra empowerments from a fully recognised qualified master.
To have studied at least one commentary on Vajrayogini (there are several in print now) or listened to a commentary from Jhampa Shaneman or Geshe Sonam Ngodrup online or Paula Chichester’s experiential meditations. See lamayesheling.org for Geshe Sonam’s commentary and braveview.org for recordings of Paula’s meditations.
Great familiarity with Renunciation, Bodhicitta and Right view, with a strong grounding in bodhicitta motivation— an intense desire to free all beings from samsara!
Recommended:
It is strongly recommended, especially for those new to the practice, that you attend the weekend teachings, commentary, and practice with Geshe Tsultrim on Vajrayogini as preparation for this retreat in August 15-16 2026. More details will be announced soon.
It is also recommended that you start reciting one mala of the mantra a day, if you can. Or more!
In the week leading up to the retreat, we encourage you to gently prepare your mind by gradually reducing activities and distractions. Creating a little more space in your daily life can help the mind to settle and become more receptive. If possible, allow for moments of quiet, reflection, and rest, so you can arrive at the retreat feeling more present, grounded, and open to the experience.
Retreat Boundaries
To help create the best possible conditions for retreat, the group will be observing the traditional boundaries associated with Highest Yoga Tantra retreats.
These include:
Staying within a physical retreat boundary – once the retreat begins, participants remain within the retreat boundaries until the conclusion of the retreat. This is usually the centre’s grounds (which includes 43 acres of forest).
Maintaining silence at times – periods of silence allow the mind to settle and deepen practice.
Keeping continuity of practice – following the daily schedule of sessions helps sustain focus and momentum.
Respecting ethical conduct – refraining from distractions such as phones, non-Dharma activities & following the five precepts.
Treating the dharma with respect – treating the sadhana, mantras, visualisations, and rituals with care and respect.
About the Retreat Leader
Ven. Thubten Dechen was born in Malaysia in 1974. She was ordained in 1991 at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in the United States. She began studying Tibetan Buddhism in 1999, and at the advice of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, she attended the 5th Lotsawa Rinchen Sangpo Translator Program (LRZTP)—in Dharamsala, North India, from 2008-2010.
In October 2011, at Rinpoche’s advice Ven. Dechen started serving the FPMT Taiwan Centers mainly in the capacity of an interpreter, translator and Dharma program coordinator. She has been an active member of the FPMT Taiwan Board since then, serving as the Director of FPMT Taiwan’s Education Department.
On June 4, 2013, the FPMT International Office of Education approved Ven. Dechen as a Dharma teacher within the organization. Over the years, she has been invited to translate Dharma courses, assist in leading group retreats, meditations and teach at the FPMT Centers in countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, France, Nepal, India, and Taiwan. She has also been frequently invited to serve as the chant leader at several major international FPMT retreat events.
Registration and Donations
The suggested donation for this 18-day retreat is $750.
A donation of $750 supports the ongoing sustainability of the Centre, enabling us to continue offering teachings to the wider community. It greatly helps to cover expenses associated with the retreat, including flights for the visiting teacher, meals for the sangha, printing materials, and more.
However – you are welcome to offer whatever amount you feel comfortable with.
A donation of $550 makes a meaningful contribution toward maintaining our space.
A donation of $350 helps us cover our most basic costs.
Please note: all donations are non-refundable and go directly to supporting the ongoing operations of the Centre.
Of course you are always free to offer more if you wish – please give as generously as you are able to benefit other students at Chenrezig Institute!
If you wish to offer sponsorship for someone in need, please let us know at spc@chenrezig.com.au.
There will be no online zoom registrations or registrations for single days during this retreat.
Accommodation & Meals
Chenrezig Institute wishes for everyone who visits the centre to feel welcome, accepted, safe, and secure. Please note that our accommodation options are limited, with a very limited number of single rooms. For this reason, single accommodation can only be offered on a priority basis.
All accommodation prices below include three meals per day: breakfast, lunch, and supper, for the full retreat period
(from supper on 19 September to lunch on 6 October – 18 days / 17 nights).
Discounts:
Early Bird Offer: Receive 20% off accommodation and meal package bookings made before 30 April.
Sangha Members: Receive 50% off accommodation (based on website prices), with meals freely offered and no time restrictions.
Accommodation within the nuns’ community is limited. Nuns wishing to attend the retreat are kindly asked to email spc@chenrezig.com.au as soon as possible.
Available Accommodation Options
(Twin rooms and huts are priced for two people. Single rooms and dormitories are priced per person.)
Retreat Accommodation:
Accommodation Type Daily Price (incl. meals) Total for 17 Nights
Retreat Twin Hut 4 & 5 – Ensuite bathroom (2 people) $275 $4,675
Retreat Twin Hut 1 & 2 – Shared bathroom (2 people) $225 $3,825
Lotus Rooms (Single) – Rooms 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 $137.50 $2,337,50
Lotus Rooms (Twin) – Rooms 11 & 12 (2 people) $225 $3,825
Sangha House (Single) – Room 2 $157.50 $2,677,50
Sangha House (Twin) – Rooms 1, 3 & 4 (2 people) $235 $3,995
Dormitory – Wellbeing Centre (Upstairs, Female) – 15 beds $87.50 $1,487,50
Dormitory – Wellbeing Centre (Downstairs, Male – Bunk beds) – 8 people $107.50 $1,827,50
Wellbeing Centre (Single Rooms) – 2 rooms $137.50 $2,337,50
Please note:
All available accommodation has shared bathrooms, except Retreat Twin Hut 4 & 5, which have ensuite bathrooms.
Rooms will be allocated based on suitability of preferences and on a first-come, first-served basis.