8 Precepts Avalokiteshvara Mantra Recitation Retreat, 5 & 6 Sep 2026

8 Precepts Avalokiteshvara Mantra Recitation Retreat, 5 & 6 Sep 2026

8 Precepts Retreat including Four-Armed Chenresig Empowerment

八关斋戒 · 四臂观音灌顶

This year marks the ninth year of this cherished annual 8 Precepts Retreat.

Our resident teacher Geshe Lama Konchok bestowing the sacred Four-Armed Chenresig (Avalokiteshvara / Guan Yin) Empowerment while engaging in the traditional Avalokiteshvara fasting practice (Nyungne) on Day 1.

Geshe Lama Konchok will speak in Tibetan language with live Chinese translation.

Event Details

Dates:
5 & 6 September 2026 (Saturday & Sunday)

Time:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Venue:
Poh Ming Tse Temple, Level 3 Hall
438 Dunearn Road, Singapore 289613

Admission:
Free of Charge

Languages:
Tibetan teachings with live Chinese translation

Registration

Registration is required through the website by submitting the registration form below.

Online payment via Stripe or offline payment via PayNow QR Code are available.

For participants registering manually via WhatsApp, please make payment via:

PayNow to: Maha Tare Buddhist Centre
UEN: T11SS0214J
Payment Reference: “Retreat”

WhatsApp Enquiries: 8649 9989 / 9232 8239

Offerings & Donations

Participants may make:

  • Freewill Donations
  • Flowers, Fruits & Light Offerings
  • Name Dedications

Retreat Schedule

Day 1 — Saturday, 5 September 2026

9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara Empowerment Ceremony

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Oral Transmission of the Bodhisattva Precepts and Avalokiteshvara Fasting Practice (Nyungne)

Day 2 — Sunday, 6 September 2026

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Oral Transmission of the Bodhisattva Vinaya and Avalokiteshvara Fasting Practice (Nyungne)

About the Retreat

Geshe Lama Konchok will bestow the sacred Four-Armed Chenresig (Avalokiteshvara / Guanyin) Empowerment.

This profound practice is the same sacred path through which the holy nun Gelongma Palmo attained enlightenment. The empowerment is transmitted through an unbroken lineage, making this an especially rare and precious opportunity for practitioners.

The Eight Precepts Retreat is a powerful method for purifying body, speech, and mind, cultivating compassion, and accumulating merit for oneself and all sentient beings.

Vegetarian Lunch & One-Meal Practice

Registration is required for the complimentary vegetarian lunch.

Participants who wish to observe the Eight Precepts should:

  • Arrive on an empty stomach (no breakfast)
  • Refrain from eating after lunch until sunrise the following day

This traditional one-meal practice forms part of the Nyungne observance and supports purification and mindful discipline throughout the retreat.

 

Every year, our kind teacher Geshe Lama Konchok will lead us in the Eight Mahayana Precepts Retreat. This practice as observed in our tradition is the one introduced by the Buddhist nun Gelongma Palmo (Chi:吉祥比丘尼), who was highly realised in the practice of Chenresig (Chi:观音菩萨) and in particular, the Thousand Armed Chenresig (Chi:千手观音菩萨). Before we go into what the practice entails, it may be helpful to understand the benefits of this practice.

A. THE BENEFITS OF THE PRACTICE

The Eight Precepts practice ranks amongst the most potent of practices to purify past negative karma. It is therefore a practice for anyone who, after having understood the laws of karma, is sincere about purifying past non-virtuous acts of body, speech and mind.  It is said that even the most serious of karmas including the karma of killing can, if the Eight Precepts are practised properly, be purified. The karma of killing is actually far more common than we think – abortions immediately come to mind, whereby the karma of killing may well accrue to both parents of the aborted being. The Practice also helps one to develop a respect for the life of others, for their property, their dignity, their right to know the truth and a respect for the clarity of one’s own mind. More generally, the practice of these Precepts helps us develop greater a consideration for others which creates love and respect and which is conducive to helpfulness, non-violence, harmony and unity.

B. HOW TO PRACTISE

When a practitioner attends the Eight Precepts Retreat, it is a day on which the practitioner abstains from (1) Dishonest Speech, (2) Sexual Activity (not merely Sexual Misconduct), (3) Killing, (4) Taking what is not given, (5) Alcohol, (6) Having Meals after Mid-day, (7) Any form of Entertainment including the playing of music/ singing and (8) Using of luxurious beds or seats. The Retreat also helps positive karma to be accumulated more quickly, and by the same token, have negative karma to be purified, through a group of Dharma practitioners gathering together and sincerely turning their minds to the Dharma.

During the Retreat, practitioners are expected to come to in white coloured attire after having taken a shower in the morning, and Geshe la will lead everyone in the chanting of Chenresig’s Six Syllable Mantra (Om Mani Padme Hung) as well as Chenresig’s Long Dharani in the course of the day whilst everyone observes having a meal before Mid-Day and fasts for the rest of the day.

We hope the above is helpful background especially for those who are contemplating attending the Eight Precepts Retreat. All are welcome, and as ever, please contact us if you have any further queries.

The Maha Tare Team