Avalokiteshvara Simhanada is a special form of Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, whose primary activity is to remove sickness and disease especially illnesses caused by nagas and serpent beings.

His Sanskrit name ‘Avalokiteshvara Simhanada’ is translated as Chenrezig Senggedra in Tibetan or ‘All-Seeing Lord Arya Lion’s Roar’.

On July 20, 2024 (Sat), the Avalokiteshvara Simhanada permission initiation (jenang) will be compassionately bestowed by His Eminence the 7th Panglung Oracle. This is the first time this initiation will be given in Kechara Forest Retreat.

Event Details

• July 20, 2024 (Sat)
• 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm
• Kechara Forest Retreat
• Registration is required.
• Minimum donation applies.

We request a nominal fee at the time of registration to avoid previous experiences where people booked a seat but did not attend. Seating in our temple is limited and those empty seats could have been allocated to someone else on the waiting list.

We consciously adhere to the Buddhist principle that profits should not be made from teachings and initiations. Registered participants will receive initiation materials & offerings of equivalent value.

Benefits

The primary benefit of Avalokiteshvara Simhanada’s practice is to heal and overcome all types of illness especially those caused by nagas and serpent beings. Historically, this practice has been known to cure even the most serious diseases such as cancer and leprosy. Apart from blessing our bodies, it also blesses our minds and the environment around us.

Furthermore, as Avalokiteshvara is the embodiment of the enlightened compassion of all the Buddhas, this practice helps us to develop compassion. Compassion is one of the most important qualities that we need to develop along our spiritual journey. It is the foundation for the attainment of Bodhicitta — the mind that wishes to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.

Who is this initiation for?

In general, Avalokiteshvara Simhanada is suitable for people who:

• May have offended nagas and serpent beings
• Are susceptible to naga-related disturbances
• Are prone to poor health and illness
• Are suffering from serious diseases and conditions such as cancer, leprosy, strokes, paralysis and skin problems
• Are living or working in areas inhabited by nagas and serpent beings
• Wish to appease or please nagas and serpent beings
• Wish to live a more compassionate life

What are the commitments?

This initiation has no special commitments or vows. You can attend the initiation as a blessing or with the intention to engage in the practice.

Although there are no commitments, it is recommended to chant the mantra or recite the prayers every day after receiving the initiation, especially if you are suffering from illness, want to prevent illness or if you have offended nagas in the past.

If you do not do the practice daily, you still receive the blessings but not the full benefits.

How to receive the full benefits?

To gain the healing, purifying and protection blessings of Avalokiteshvara Simhanada, we should engage in his practice every day.

• Minimum: Chant one mala (108x) of his mantra ‘OM AH HRIH SIMHANADA HUM PHET’ every day.
• Recommended: Recite his short prayer (sadhana) every day, as this is more effective than just reciting his mantra.

Advice for serious practitioners

Practitioners who have the great fortune to receive the Avalokiteshvara Simhanada initiation are advised to:

• Engage in the minimum or recommended commitments mentioned above.
• With full confidence, think of Avalokiteshvara and your guru as one.
• Hold strong guru devotion as this is a requirement for gaining attainments.
• Keep your vows well and your mind stable.
• Maintain a Bodhicitta motivation that you wish to become a fully enlightened being to benefit all sentient beings.

If we do this, we can gain the highest attainments via the special practice of Avalokiteshvara Simhanada.

What is an initiation?

In Tibetan Buddhism, tantric initiations awaken our innate potential for Buddhahood by empowering us to engage in the practice of a specific Buddha-deity. It also creates a strong spiritual bond (samaya) between the recipient and the initiating master, as well as the Buddha-deity involved.

Active participation in an initiation with a fully-qualified teacher bestows permission to engage in the daily sadhana. During the initiation, a special seed of enlightenment is planted within our mindstream. This seed will grow stronger and stronger when we engage in the daily sadhana and keep our commitments, until we eventually achieve attainments and ultimately enlightenment.

The initiating lama

His Eminence the 7th Panglung Kuten Thubten Phelgye Jigme Namgyal, also known as Ven. Choji-la, is the renowned oracle of Sera Monastery who takes trance of Dorje Shugden, Kache Marpo, Setrap, Shiptak Gyene and other Dharma protectors.

Ven. Choji-la has studied under many gurus including H.H. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, H.H. Kyabje Ling Rinpoche and H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. He is a pure monk who has kept his vows and commitments very well. H.E. Tsem Rinpoche regarded him highly, and requested him to give oral transmissions and engage in numerous pujas for Kechara in the past.

Most recently on September 9, 2023, Ven. Choji-la gave the initiation of Trakpo Sumtril in Kechara Forest Retreat.

Who can attend?

The initiation is open to non-muslim guests aged thirteen (13) and above. Prior tantric initiations or empowerments are not necessary. All participants must register in advance.

How to prepare

Anyone who wishes to attend the initiation, whether as a blessing or as a practice, must follow these guidelines:

• Observe a Buddhist vegetarian diet
  Avoid black foods i.e. meat, fish, seafood, eggs, milk & dairy products, onion, garlic, alcohol, radish, pungent/strong-smelling foods such as leeks, shallots, chives, durians and petai (stink bean). 
  • Minimum: On the day of the initiation
  • Recommended: One week before the initiation, on initiation day, and one week after the initiation
• No intimate physical contact
  • Minimum: On the day of the initiation
  • Recommended: One day before the initiation and on initiation day.
• No perfume, jewellery or makeup
  • On the day of the initiation
• High personal hygiene
  • Come clean, simple, as you were born
  • Make sure you are washed and groomed
• Wear clean white clothing
  • The colour white represents purity.

What to prepare

• Khata (Tibetan ritual scarf)
  • Minimum: 2x for H.E. Tsem Rinpoche and Ven. Choji-la.
  • Two white khatas are included in the initiation materials that will be prepared for all registered participants. Please collect yours at the registration counter upon arrival at Kechara Forest Retreat.
  • Additional khatas are available for purchase on the day.
• Kuyong (auspicious monetary offering)
  • Minimum: 2x for H.E. Tsem Rinpoche and Ven. Choji-la.
  • You can also offer kuyong to the translators and monks who will be assisting throughout the initiation.

How to register

The initiation is open to registered participants only. Kechara Forest Retreat will be closed to walk-in visitors on the day.

• Priority registration for members opens 26 June 9.00 am (GMT +8) and closes 27 June 11.00 pm (GMT +8). Members will receive the link to the registration portal via email and the Kechara App.
• General registration for the public opens 28 June 9.00 am (GMT +8) and closes 14 July 5.00 pm (GMT +8). Click here to register.

How to sponsor

Sponsorship of any amount towards the initiation ceremony is very welcome and deeply appreciated. You can contribute:

If you’re donating by DuitNow QR or bank transfer, please email or WhatsApp us your transaction slip for an official receipt.

Important Notes

• Places are limited and registration closes once all seats are taken up. To avoid disappointment, register early.
• Priority registration is for Kechara members only. Please ensure your membership is valid/renewed to avoid disappointment.
• Each Kechara member is entitled to ONE (1) priority registration only.
  • If you register for more than one priority ticket, it will be cancelled and you will not receive a refund.
  • If you have non-members in your party (e.g. children), they should register under general registration.
• Registration is limited to 1 seat per time. If you need more than 1 seat, please register multiple times.
• Unregistered guests will be denied entry to Kechara Forest Retreat. Please have your tickets ready for inspection. We suggest that you print out your ticket for quicker processing.
• Duplicate tickets will be rejected. Please don’t share your ticket details with anyone.
• Seating is first come first served. Doors to the initiation hall open at 1.45 pm. Please come early if you want to get a good seat.
• Children aged thirteen (13) and above are allowed to attend the initiation. All children must hold a valid ticket. Noisy children will be asked to leave the hall.
• Latecomers will be denied entry. The main entrance to Kechara Forest Retreat closes at 1.30 pm, and doors to the initiation hall close at 2.00 pm sharp.
• Parking spaces are limited. We suggest that you carpool where possible to avoid congestion.
• Wear comfortable shoes. It takes 10–15 minutes to walk from the parking area to the registration counter and Wisdom Hall, so comfortable footwear is essential.
• Photos, videos and audio recordings are not allowed. If you are found to recording the initiation, you will be asked to leave the premises.
• Please dress respectfully. No shorts, sleeveless or revealing attire. Loose tops and long trousers or skirts are preferred.
• You must be present throughout the entire ceremony. If you leave the hall while the initiation is in progress, it means that you did not receive the initiation.

Supplementary Information

• The lineage of Avalokiteshvara Simhanada’s practice originated in India, from ancient masters such as Chandragomin and Suvarnadvipa. It was later brought to Tibet and popularised by the likes of Jowo Je Atisha and Mal Lotsawa. From then onwards, it spread to virtually most lineages of Tibetan Buddhism.
• This practice is especially highly regarded in the Sakya tradition, where it is part of The Thirteen Golden Dharmas set of special meditational practices. In the Gelug tradition, it is the primary practice performed during naga pujas.
• Avalokiteshvara, also known as Chenrezig or Guanyin is one of the eight great Bodhisattva disciples of Buddha Shakyamuni. He is a popular archetypal Bodhisattva in the Sutras, in which he strives towards enlightenment. Within the teachings of Vajrayana Buddhism, he is said to be a Buddha who attained full enlightenment during a past aeon but chose to manifest as a Bodhisattva on the path to inspire and bless the beings of our current aeon.
• Avalokiteshvara manifests in many forms, one of which is Avalokiteshvara Simhanada. In general, all forms of Avalokiteshvara are excellent for overcoming anger and developing compassion. He is widely considered to be the patron Bodhisattva of Tibet and is worshipped by all the great lineages of Tibetan Buddhism.