Annual Kunrig Retreat
With Venerable Steve Carlier
September 26 - 29, 2024
Online only via Zoom
September 26 – 29
About Kunrig:
Kunrig (Skt. Sarvavid), from the Yoga Tantra class, is known as “the king of deities for purifying the lower realms.” There is a story that when a deva died and was born in one of the hell realms, King Indra didn’t know what to do, so he asked Buddha for help. Buddha then manifested as this deity Kunrig and granted the practice of the Kunrig jangwa. The deva was then liberated from the lower realms.
Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche has explained that in Amdo lay people prepare for their death by taking an initiation of Kunrig, who is white, has three faces, and holds a Dharma wheel. Because the Amdo people have faith that they have purified everything, when death comes they are not worried, they are relaxed and comfortable.
The Kunrig mantra is one of the five great mantras for liberating sentient beings from the lower realms.
About the Retreat:
This is a mantra recitation retreat where we aim to recite 10,000 of the long mantra over the duration of the retreat.
“The benefits of mantra recitation are vast. There are many stories about terrible diseases such as cancer being cured by mantras, or people or animals being helped to have a peaceful death and a positive rebirth through mantras being recited to them. But the supreme benefit of a mantra is its ability to transform our mind. By transforming our mind, it has the power to break negative habits and develop positive ones. As our mind changes, our ability to help others increases, so we are reciting mantras for others as well.” – Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Khensur Jhado Rinpoche has mentioned many times that the long mantra is very powerful.
Retreat Requirements:
You must have received the Kunrig initiation to participate in this retreat.
Diet Guidelines:
Kunrig falls within the Kriya Yoga Tantra tradition which emphasizes specific dietary restrictions. Please be sure to refrain from eating the following foods before your daily practice sessions:
- Meat
- Alcohol
- Eggs
- Onion
- garlic
Retreat Schedule:
Thursday, September 26 – Sunday, September 29
6:00 am – 8:00 am – Session 1
9:30 am – 11:30 am – Session 2
Leader
Ven Steve was born in the UK and has been learning about Buddhism since 1977. He first met Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche in 1978. He was ordained as a Buddhist monk by Lama Zopa Rinpoche in 1979, and received full ordination from Serkong Tsenshab Rinpoche the following year.…
Learn more about Venerable Steve Carlier