Essential Buddhist Ritual Workshop

Start your journey to ritual mastery

Discover the correct technique and profound meaning of important ritual items such as the mala, vajra, bell, damaru (hand drum) and serkym according to the tradition of Gaden Shartse Monastery. You’ll also learn the essential offering mudras (sacred hand gestures) and how they relate to your personal practice.

This fun, hands-on workshop will give you the knowledge and confidence to incorporate these techniques into your daily sadhana and retreats, bridging body and mind and giving your practice more meaning and depth.

Led by our experienced Buddhist sangha and pastors, this course is suitable for anyone who is new to Tibetan Buddhist practices, as well as intermediate-level practitioners who want to polish their ritual skills.

2025 Dates

• 22 February 2025 (Sat)
• 9.30 am – 6.00 pm

Registration closes 3 working days before the programme start date.

Topics

• Significance of rituals and ritual instruments
• The importance of tradition
• Setting out the items
• Using the mala
• Using the vajra and bell
• Using the damaru
• Combining vajra, bell and damaru
• Using the serkym
• Basic serkym tune
• Essential offering mudras
• Putting it all together
• Dos and don’ts

Suggested Donation

What’s Included?

• Live demonstrations
• Detailed explanations
• Guided practice sessions
• Workshop materials
• Pastor service & support

Can I stay overnight?

Our guesthouses are open for booking if you’d like to spend the night in Kechara Forest Retreat. See our rooms and rates.

As a not-for-profit organisation, we do our best to make our programmes available at a reasonable rate. Your donation also supports the cost of facilities, sanitising of premises and overheads.

What to Bring

• Mala
• Serkym set and teapot*
• Vajra and bell*
• Damaru*
• Ritual cover (drikap) (optional)
• Ritual mat (driden) (optional)
• Notebook and pen
• Water tumbler
• Comfortable clothing that allows you to sit cross-legged on a meditation cushion
• A shawl or sweater in case you feel cold
• Medication or antihistamines if you have allergies to pollen, etc.
• Face masks, face shield and hand sanitiser (optional)

* If you don’t have these items, please let us know at the time of registration and we will do our best to arrange extras for you to use. Limited units available, first come first serve.

Important Notes

• To enhance your experience, you’re encouraged to minimise the distractions of daily life including the usage of any electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets and laptops throughout the workshop.
• Recording of any form is not permitted.
• Cancellation Policy: A partial refund will be issued for cancellations made at least five working days before the workshop start date. An administration fee of RM30 will be charged. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made less than five days before the workshop start date.
• If sign ups for a particular language do not meet the minimum threshold, the programme in that language will be cancelled. You are welcome to join a different language group; otherwise your registration fee will be refunded.
• The management reserves the right to amend the programme and/or revise prices without prior notice.