“Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara” Empowerment – and Start of the Mani Retreat according to H.E. Drubwang Rinpoche‘s Tradition
H.E. Söpa Rinpoche
Module: Foundation Level – Meditation and Retreats
Credits: 40 CP
When: Saturday, October 17 to Saturday, October 24, 2026
Where: Milarepa Retreat Center, Schneverdingen & online
Languages: Tibetan, translation into English (Sonam Spitz)
Fees: on-site attendance 200€ (reduced 170€) + room and board
The 100 Million Mani Recitation Retreat was established by H.E. Drubwang Rinpoche (passed away in 2007) in Singapore. Since then, more than 10,000 people have participated.
Participants recite together the six-syllable mantra OM MANI PADME HUNG, the heart mantra of Avalokiteshvara. Through the power of the mantra and personal practice, the qualities of Avalokiteshvara are unveiled: inner peace, compassion, and wisdom arise through the purification of body, speech, and mind.
The teachings state that the recitation of this mantra helps to close the gates of the six realms of existence. Sentient beings are gradually freed from suffering, attain rebirth in a pure land of the Buddhas, and ultimately complete enlightenment.
As a group practice, each individual’s merit equals the total merit of 100 million Mani mantras accumulated by the entire group during the retreat.
H.E. Söpa Rinpoche (Zurpa, also Zurtrul), heart student of H.E. Garchen Rinpoche, will lead the 4th Mani Retreat according to the tradition of H.E. Drubwang Rinpoche at the Milarepa Center in October 2026.
The 9th Nyidzong Zurtrul Rinpoche was born in 1984 and confirmed by both Drikung Kyabgöns as the reincarnation of the late Zurpa Rinpoche (more here). H.E. Garchen Rinpoche discovered him at the age of three and described him as the most hardworking of the 13 tulkus he had discovered.
It is H.E. Garchen Rinpoche’s wish that his student leads a Mani Retreat annually. Zurtrul Rinpoche invites participation to live peace through this practice and to dedicate the arising merit.
Participation options:
Entire retreat
Chenresig empowerment only
Individual days
The course can only be credited towards the Dharmadhara program with on-site attendance.
For a more detailed description and the schedule go here.
Registration for this event with this link:
Important note for all participants of the Dharmadhara Study and Practice Program:
To receive credits for the course, please have the certificate of participation signed by the instructor.
