Chenrezig Ngensong Kundrol is a special form of the Bodhisattva of Compassion who has emanated specifically to help us avoid a negative rebirth for one lifetime. His name means ‘Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin) who Liberates from the Three Lower Realms.’

“If we have strong guru devotion and we do his OM MANI PEME HUM mantra every day, then whatever negativities we have committed, even if we are supposed to take a negative rebirth, we will not fall into the three lower realms. It is impossible for us to go to the three lower realms.

So for one lifetime, we are delayed to go to someplace negative, and we are blessed to take rebirth in another good situation in our next life, in order that we can practise Dharma and purify our karma, giving ourselves another chance, delaying in going to the three lower realms for one lifetime.

And that is like if you are supposed to go to jail, you don’t go to jail. You are given another chance to do good works, in order to avoid going to jail. So that is very very powerful.”

– Tsem Rinpoche –
(Our founder His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche first received this special practice from his root guru, His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche.)

On July 21, 2024 (Sun), the Chenrezig Ngensong Kundrol 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 21, 2024 (Sun)
• 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.

Primary Benefit

Under ordinary circumstances, if we commit extremely negative actions, this will lead us to take rebirth in the three lower realms in our next life. This is due to the law of karma. The main benefit of Chenrezig Ngensong Kundrol is that he stops us from taking a lower rebirth for one lifetime, no matter how many negative actions we have done in the past.

We are saved from suffering in the lower realms in our next life. And by delaying going to the three lower realms for one lifetime, we are blessed with the opportunity to once again practise the Dharma, purify more negative karma and generate more merit.

By doing so, we can progress even further on our spiritual path, and continue taking good rebirth after good rebirth in good situations, where we can practise even more Dharma and eventually attain full enlightenment.

Additional benefits

The initiation of Chenrezig Ngensong Kundrol also includes the deities Green Tara and Ekajati.

• Green Tara represents the great activity of the Buddhas — coming to our aid and granting our wishes such as long life, material success and harmony. In particular, Tara grants freedom from the Eight Fears.
• Ekajati represents the ability of the Buddhas to destroy our obstacles. This includes protecting from black magic and spirits, removing negative energies and overcoming extreme difficulties. In particular, Ekajati grants great bliss and the realisation of emptiness.

Rinpoche advised that when we engage in this practice, if we have special wishes we want to accomplish, we can invoke upon Tara more. If we have fierce obstacles or difficulties, or need protection, we can invoke upon Ekajati more.

Who is this initiation for?

In general, Chenrezig Ngesung Kundrol is suitable for people who:

• Have committed a lot of negative karma
• Are too old to do intensive practice
• Are unable to do intensive practice for other reasons (e.g. illness, mental disability or accidents)
• Are dying or who have fatal diseases which are incurable
• Are fearful for their next life
• Have negative habituations that are too strong to change (no matter if young or old)
• Have broken their samaya
• Have broken their vows
• Have killed
• Have committed one of the five heinous crimes
• Met the Dharma late in 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.

To receive the full benefit of the initiation and achieve a guaranteed good rebirth in your next life, you should do the practice every day. If you do not do the practice daily, you still receive the blessings but not the full benefits.

What are the benefits? To delay going to the three lower realms for one lifetime and to take rebirth in another good situation in your next life so you have another chance to practise Dharma, purify karma and collect merit.

How to receive the full benefits?

To gain the special benefits of Chenrezig Ngensong Kundrol and achieve a guaranteed good rebirth in our next life, we should engage in his practice every day.

• Minimum: Chant one mala (108x) of his mantra ‘OM MANI PEME HUM’ as soon as you wake up every day without fail for the rest of your life.
• Recommended: Recite his short sadhana (daily prayer) every day for the rest of your life.

Advice for serious practitioners

Tsem Rinpoche advised that practitioners who have the great fortune to receive the Chenrezig Ngensong Kundrol initiation should:

• Engage in the minimum or recommended commitments mentioned above.
• With full confidence, think of Chenrezig 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 Chenrezig Ngensong Kundrol.

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 be 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 full name of this practice is Chenrezig Ngensong Kundrol Tsokhor Sum. ‘Tso’ refers to the main meditational deity, Chenrezig. ‘Khor’ refers to his entourage, the deities Green Tara and Ekajati. ‘Sum’ means all three.

“This Chenrezig has one face, two arms, sitting in a posture of ease, with one hand at the back holding himself up, and one hand in the front holding a mala gently over his knee. He has two assistants, one is the black powerful obstacle-destroyer Goddess Ekajati, and the other one is the Buddha or Goddess of Great Activities Green Tara.”
– Tsem Rinpoche –

• Chenrezig, also known as Avalokiteshvara 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.
• Chenrezig manifests in many forms, one of which is Chenrezig Ngensong Kundrol. In general, all forms of Chenrezig 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.
• Green Tara is known as the ‘saviouress’ and is considered the embodiment of the activity of all the Buddhas. In the Tara Tantras, it is said that she was a Bodhisattva disciple of the Buddha of another world system. She made the aspiration to be reborn in female form again and again, to work tirelessly to liberate all beings until samsara is emptied, and eventually attained enlightenment. Of the 21 forms of Tara, Green Tara is considered to be the main form.
• Ekajati or Blue Tara is the most wrathful form of Tara. She is said to overcome obstacles, negativities, fears; provide protection and eliminate obstacles on the path to enlightenment.