The FPMT Global Mani Retreat launched on May 17, 2026, the first day of Saka Dawa month, bringing together practitioners from around the world in a collective effort to accumulate one hundred million recitations of OM MANI PADME HUM.

One of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions for the FPMT organization was to hold 100 Million Mani retreats.

“This is one of my dreams, to have 100 Million Mani Retreats each year and for it to continue forever, even after I die, even after the people living now die. Those who are working, offering service now—to continue even after they die; to continue for as long as the country exists.” — Lama Zopa Rinpoche

This ongoing series of updates will follow the retreat’s progress and share details on update, news, and resources for participation. 

Khen Rinpoche Geshe Thubten Chonyi opening of the FPMT Global Mani Retreat from Amitabha Buddhist Centre, Singapore, May 17, 2026.

FPMT Global Mani Retreat Launches with Worldwide Participation

The FPMT Global Mani Retreat began on Sunday, May 17, 2026, the first day of Saka Dawa month, when an estimated more than 700 people joined the retreat from around the world. Ven. Roger Kunsang, Senior Advisor at FPMT International Office (IOF), offered opening remarks on how close the 100 Million Mani Retreat is to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s heart. He recommended Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teachings and advice compiled in Teachings from the Mani Retreat eBook and the Mandala’s article about Rinpoche’s wishes for the 100 Million Mani Retreat and the benefits of this. 

Khen Rinpoche Geshe Thubten Chonyi, abbot of Kopan Monastery and Kopan Nunnery, then gave a teaching based (please note a request to fill out a google request form before viewing this major teaching) on the official Chenrezig sadhana used for this retreat—emphasizing various elements, including the Four Immeasurables and the power of the Mani mantra, and the benefits of reciting OM MANI PADME HUM.

Charok Lama online session of Chenrezig Group Practice. May 23, 2026.

First Chenrezig Group Practice with Charok Lama

On Saturday, May 23, 2026, Charok Lama opened the first Chenrezig Group Practice online session for the FPMT Global Mani Retreat. An estimated more than 150 Zoom attendees were joined by YouTube viewers. Charok Lama was identified at the age of two by Lama Zopa Rinpoche as the reincarnation of Kusho Mangde, a renowned Nyingma yogi known for his profound spiritual realization. In recent years he has traveled extensively, teaching and spreading the values of mindfulness, compassion, and Dharma practice to diverse audiences around the world.

During the online session Charok Lama interspersed his recitation of the entire Chenrezig sadhana with short teachings. Charok Lama offered a reminder to the group: “We don’t need more hatred in this world; we don’t need more judgement. We need more compassion.”

His guidance gave depth to the sadhana. He also spoke on the meaning of the Mani mantra, requesting participants to contemplate its meaning every time they recite the mantra—and not just utter the syllables. He reminded participants of the importance of the Four Immeasurables—and the importance of holding all others in mind, not only those who are nearest to us.

Ven. Sarah Thresher with Anila Ngawang Samten in Lawudo, on May 31, 2026

Second Chenrezig Group Practice with Ven. Sarah Thresher

The second Chenrezig Group Practice session was led by Ven. Sarah Thresher on Sunday, May 31, 2026, from the very same place where, exactly 56 years ago—and also in the holy month of Saka Dawa—Lama Zopa Rinpoche first led a Chenrezig fasting retreat at the behest of the local community.

Prior to Ven. Sarah’s sadhana practice, two videos were shared. The first was an interview excerpt with Anila Ngawang Samten, from the day before. Anila is Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s sister and co-director of Lawudo Retreat Centre. She recently turned 85 and has devoted her entire life to Rinpoche and Lawudo. Sharing precious stories of her family history, she recalled that their mother would without fail recite 50,000 Mani mantras every single day. The second video shared was Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s history in Lawudo, and showed the Cave of Blissful Attainment with its various holy statues, as well as the holy water that drips from the rocks. Ven. Sarah also explained how the Chenrezig practice, Nyung-na, and 100 Million Mani retreat all came from Lawudo. This is a very meaningful history to consider, to truly understand the vastness of Rinpoche’s vision and we hope you will watch the video of Ven. Sarah discussing this important history. 

Ven. Sarah took refuge with Lama Thubten Yeshe at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, in the early 1980s. Since then, she has studied with many great masters and was ordained in 1986. She worked as an editor for Wisdom Publications for nine years and in 1992 began traveling and teaching throughout the world at the request of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. She has served as Resident Teacher at Land of Medicine Buddha (USA) and at FPMT Mongolia.

FPMT Global Mani Retreat: Third Chenrezig Group Practice with Ven. Thubten Dechen

Upcoming: Third Chenrezig Group Practice with Ven. Thubten Dechen

Representing FPMT East and Southeast Asia, Ven. Thubten Dechen will lead the FPMT Global Mani Retreat’s third Chenrezig Group Practice session on Friday, June 5, at 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (UTC).

Ven. Dechen has collaborated with Lama Zopa Rinpoche on audio and video recordings of the Guru Puja tunes. She has served as chant leader at major FPMT events and retreats and is currently holding multiple roles in FPMT Taiwan, including Director of Education Services, Resident Interpreter, and spiritual program coordinator (SPC).

For further information on the 2026 FPMT Global Mani Retreat, visit the dedicated page.

Accessing the Online Teachings After the Fact

The FPMT GLOBAL MANI RETREAT online sessions were originally intended exclusively for a live audience, as some of the presenters had valid reservations about teaching online (let alone permitting recordings). To respect their preferences, the recordings were therefore going to be kept private.

However, in recognition of the global nature of this event and the difficulties many sincere students face in participating in real time, we appealed for some leeway – and now as a result, the recordings will be accessible on our YouTube channel for many of the sessions. (Only those sessions for which presenter agreement has been obtained will be uploaded).

For major online teaching sessions, please fill out the google request form. This only needs to be completed once! 

For specific information and guidelines for the individual practice session and major teachings, please visit Global MANI Retreat Facebook group for all the latest and timely information.

Host a Million Mani Retreat

As part of the official FPMT Global Mani Retreat program, FPMT Mongolia will host the 14th 100 Million Mani Retreat in Ulaanbaatar, onsite and online, from August 20 to September 17, 2026. We hope this will inspire other FPMT centers to hold their own 100 Million Mani retreats—one of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Vast Visions.

Important Update on Mantra Recitation

Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi has confirmed two ways to recite Mani mantras that may be included in your final count. The first is to recite mantras within the Chenrezig sadhana, sitting in one place for both the sadhana and mantra recitation (this is the proper and preferred way!). The second option which Geshe Chonyi has said is “OK to do,” is to commence the sadhana in the morning, recite mantras throughout the day, and complete the sadhana with dedication at the end of the day. All are welcome to access the materials used for this practice. 

Thank you!

We sincerely thank all of those who are involved in making this Global Mani Retreat a great success under the leadership of Retreat Coordinator Selina Foong! The effort behind the scenes and on the ground including all of the technical and administration considerations has been consistent and so appreciated, as well as all of the sincere and active involvement from participants and most notably the kind leaders of the online sessions! 

Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) is a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation, and community service.