The ancient practice of Chöd is one of the most extraordinary and rarely encountered paths in the entire Vajrayana tradition.
Born from the fearless realisation of the 11th-century yogini Machig Labdrön, Chöd strikes at the very root of what binds us,
the deeply held clinging to self that generates all suffering, fear, and confusion across our lives and countless lifetimes.
We live in an age of extraordinary distraction, yet beneath the noise, the fundamental questions remain:
What is the self we protect so fiercely? What would it mean to truly let go?
Chöd does not offer a comfortable answer — it offers a direct and embodied encounter with these questions,
through sound, movement, ritual, and the living transmission of an unbroken lineage.
This weekend retreat is a rare opportunity to step fully into that tradition.
Over four immersive sessions across Saturday and Sunday, you will receive the Chöd lineage empowerment
from Shar Khentrul Rinpoche, before moving progressively through instrument instruction,
sadhana transmission, and culminating in a complete group Chöd practice, Q&A,
and dedication of merit.
Whether you come as a complete beginner or a seasoned practitioner,
this weekend has the power to open something real.
What is Chöd?
Chöd (གཅོད་, pronounced ‘Chö’) means ‘to sever’ or ‘to cut’ and that single word points directly to its purpose:
the complete severing of ego clinging and conceptual grasping at the very root of suffering.
It is a practice unlike any other in the Vajrayana,
originating with the great 11th-century Tibetan yogini Machig Labdrön,
whose realisation was so radical, so complete,
that she founded an entirely new lineage.
Where most Dharma practices invite stillness, Chöd moves.
The practitioner chants, drums, and wanders traditionally to wild and fearsome places,
charnel grounds, mountain passes, cemeteries and there performs the ritual
of offering the body itself to all sentient beings.
It is an act of ultimate generosity and fearlessness,
dissolving the illusion of a self.
At the heart of this practice are the sacred instruments,
the Chöd drum (damaru) and bell (drilbu).
These are not accompaniments — they are the voice and the heartbeat of Chöd itself,
inseparable from the practice.
To learn to play them is to begin to enter the transmission from the inside.
Program Highlights
-Chöd Empowerment bestowed by Shar Khentrul Rinpoche — opening the door to the full transmission
-Introduction to Chöd — history, lineage, and the living transmission from Machig Labdrön
-Learn the Chöd Drum (damaru) — proper technique, rhythms, and the inner meaning of the beat
-Learn the Bell (drilbu) & Kangling — how to hold, strike, and coordinate with drum and voice
-Sadhana transmission, guided practice, and teaching commentary
-Full Chöd practice session with Q&A and dedication of merit
-Opportunity to purchase authentic Chöd drums, bells, and kangling
Event Schedule – Melbourne, Australia
SATURDAY June 13, 2026
Time
Session
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
SESSION 1: Empowerment & IntroductionChöd lineage empowerment bestowed by Shar Khentrul Rinpoche,
followed by introduction to Chöd history, lineage,
and the living transmission from Machig Labdrön.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Lunch BreakInstrument browsing / purchase window
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
SESSION 2: Drum & Bell TechniqueHands-on instruction in Chöd damaru, drilbu,
and kangling with Drungngur Tenzin Lamsang.
SUNDAY June 14, 2026
Time
Session
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
SESSION 3: Sadhana Transmission, Practice & TeachingTransmission of the Chöd Sadhana with guided practice
and teaching commentary by Shar Khentrul Rinpoche
and Drungngur Tenzin Lamsang.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Lunch BreakInstrument browsing / purchase window
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
SESSION 4: Full Chöd Practice Session, Q&A & DedicationComplete group Chöd practice with all instruments,
open Q&A and dedication of merit.
Our Teachers
Shar Khentrul Rinpoche
Shar Khentrul Rinpoche has received the Chöd transmission across multiple great traditions
Nyingma, Kagyu, Jonang, and Gelug and has himself completed Chöd retreat.
He received the transmission of Taranatha’s Opening the Gates to the Sky empowerment
from Kalka Jetsun Dhampa, considered a reincarnation of Taranatha himself
and the spiritual head of Mongolia.
This depth of lineage and cross-tradition mastery is rare in the modern world,
and it flows directly into this weekend.
Rinpoche carries the living flame of authentic Vajrayana transmission
and is deeply committed to offering the full breadth of Tibetan Buddhist practice
including the rarely taught Chöd to students in the modern world.
His teaching is characterised by warmth, precision,
and the fearless confidence of one who has walked the path himself.
Drungngur Tenzin Lamsang
Drungngur Tenzin Lamsang is a highly trained ritual master
and holder of the authentic Chöd lineage transmission.
With years of dedicated practice in the traditional Tibetan manner,
Tenzin Lamsang brings rare expertise in the precise technique
of Chöd drumming, bell work, and the melodic chant unique to this practice.
Under his guidance, students will receive direct,
hands-on instruction in the sacred instruments
across both days of the weekend.
Sacred Instruments — Rare Purchase Opportunity
Authentic Chöd instruments are rarely available outside of Tibet
and specialist Dharma centres.
Across both days, a carefully curated selection of genuine Chöd instruments
will be available for purchase, sourced from traditional craftspeople.
These are not decorative items —
they are consecrated tools of practice,
and their acquisition at such an event
carries the blessing of the teaching context.
-Chöd Drum (Damaru) —
The ritual drum central to the Chöd practice;
traditionally made from two human skull caps joined together,
now more commonly crafted from wood
with authentic skull-shaped resonance chambers.
-Bell (Drilbu) —
The hand bell, representing the wisdom of emptiness;
held in the left hand and rung in precise coordination
with the drum and ritual movement.
-Kangling —
The thigh bone trumpet,
blown to call forth Dakinis
and cut through conceptual mind.
An iconic and powerful Chöd instrument,
available in wood.
Who Should Attend?
This event warmly welcomes practitioners at all stages of their journey.
No prior experience with Chöd or ritual instruments is required.
All are welcome to come with an open heart
and a willingness to engage.
-Complete beginners curious about Tibetan Buddhist ritual practice
-Students with some Vajrayana background wishing to encounter Chöd for the first time
-Established practitioners seeking to refine their drum and bell technique under expert guidance
-Anyone drawn to the fearless, embodied, and musically rich dimension of the Dharma
This event will be available both Online and In-person.
In celebration of the parinirvana of the master Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen, we will gather together to reflect on and learn from the extraordinary legacy he left behind.
Dolpopa is renowned for illuminating the profound Zhentong view, the definitive meaning of the Golden Dharma, in the Mountain Doctrine, establishing the great stupa at Jomonang, and clarifying the view of ultimate reality in a way that continues to benefit practitioners to this day. Yet his legacy did not end with his own life—it lived on through his disciples and lineage holders.
The 14 Heart Sons
Among his many students, Dolpopa’s 14 Heart Sons stand out as extraordinary masters who carried forward his realization and teachings. Each of them played a vital role in preserving and transmitting the Jonang lineage.
To honor this, we are pleased to share that:
-A new section of our website is now available in multiple languages
-It is dedicated to Dolpopa and each of his 14 Heart Sons, sharing their lives, stories, and contributions
What We Will Do Together
During this gathering, we will:
-Explore the life and realization of Dolpopa
-Learn about the 14 Heart Sons and their lineage activity
-Reflect on how this living transmission continues today
If time and conditions allow, we will also:
-Engage in a special tsok offering connected to Dolpopa
This event will be available both Online and In-person.
In Vajrayana Buddhism, the Guru is the Buddha, the Guru is the Dharma, and the Guru is the Sangha. The whole path is contained in the practice of devotion to the Guru, who, while ultimately our enlightened nature, is also a human being who reflects that nature to us. The most powerful Guru is your root guru, the one who points out the nature of reality to you and you transform your mind.
The light that shows the way on our Kalachakra path is Khentrul Rinpoche. And the one who had the most profound impact on his mind, is his root Guru, Lama Lobsang Trinle. Lama Lobsang Trinley (Lama Lutrin) is one of the most respected Jonang Kalachakra masters of our time. He was well known for his incredible healing powers as he had healed himself from Leprosy and then those around him with his spontaneous medicine wisdom. While showing no signs of sickness, he stated he would pass away and then did so in a meditative state on the precious day of Saka Dawa, the day that we celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and death of Shakyamuni Buddha.
Join us in the profound practice of the Jonang Guru Puja in honor of the pari-nirvana of Lama Lobsang Trinley. All practices done at this time are incredibly powerful as the merit is multiplied by 100 million times.
Learn about the Greatness of Lama Lutrin
Schedule by Timezone
Melbourne, Australia — Fri, 29 May 2026 at 7:30 PM AEST
Kalachakra New Year & Wheel Turning Day: 24-Hour Global Prayer Celebration
Join us for a rare and powerful 24-hour continuous practice honoring the Kalachakra New Year—Kalachakra Wheel Turning Day, one of the most sacred and auspicious times in the Kalachakra tradition. This holy day commemorates the anniversary when Buddha Shakyamuni manifested as Kalachakra and taught the Kalachakra Tantra to the Bodhisattva King Suchandra, setting in motion the lineage that would flourish in Shambhala for the benefit of all beings.
A Day of 100 Million Times Merit
Celebrated during Ngakpa Dawa, this is an extraordinarily powerful karmic window. It is taught that all virtuous actions performed on this day are multiplied 100 million times.
For this reason, in the great Jonang monasteries, monks traditionally engage in two weeks of intensive Kalachakra practice, performing generation stage sadhanas and elaborate Kalachakra pujas to accumulate vast merit and wisdom. We invite you to join in this same spirit of deep practice and collective aspiration.
Special Session with Khentrul Rinpoche
Khentrul Rinpoche will join us live for a special one-hour session of prayers and teachings, offering blessings and guidance on this most auspicious occasion.
Immediately following Khentrul Rinpoche’s session, we will gather with for a special one-hour tribute session honoring His Holiness Jigme Dorje Rinpoche, who recently entered Parinirvana. This session will include prayers, devotional songs, recitation of his name mantra, and video reflections along with storiees celebrating his life and enlightened activity. In this way, we unite remembrance, devotion, and merit-making within the flow of this sacred day.
Join for Khentrul Rinpoche’s puja and participation:
Melbourne, Australia — Fri, 1 May 2026 at 7:00 PM AEST
Together, as an international sangha, we will create a continuous 24-hour cycle of practice, including:
-Kalachakra mantra recitation
-Vishvamata mantra
-Marichi prayers
-Invocations to the Shambhala Dharma Kings
This unbroken stream of practice becomes a living mandala of awakened activity encircling the world.
Creating the Causes for the FutureWe dedicate this powerful day of practice to creating the causes and conditions for Khentrul Rinpoche’s 2027 Global Tour and for the flourishing of the Kalachakra teachings throughout the world.
Why Participate
-Connect directly to the origin of the Kalachakra teachings
-Accumulate vast merit—multiplied 100 million times
-Join a global mandala of continuous practice
-Support the future spread of Kalachakra
-Receive blessings from Rinpoche and the lineage
-Contribute to the vision of the Golden Age and connect with Shambhala
Whether you join for one hour or many, your practice becomes part of an unbroken field of awakened intention benefiting all beings.
Turn the Wheel of Dharma and help bring forth the second Golden Age for the benefit of all sentient beings.
This event is available both In-person and Online.
Khentrul Rinpoche has agreed to bestow the empowerment Kstigarbha and perform a Puja at the request of asian students. Kṣitigarbha is one of the four principal bodhisattvas in East Asian Mahayana Buddhism, alongside Samantabhadra, Manjusri, and Avalokiteśvara. His name translates to “Earth Treasury”. Kṣitigarbha is renowned for his vow to instruct all beings in the six worlds between Gautama Buddha’s death and Maitreya’s rise. He also vowed not to achieve Buddhahood until all hells are emptied. As a result, he is often seen as the bodhisattva of hell-beings, as well as the guardian of children and the patron deity of deceased children and aborted fetuses in Japanese culture.
BENEFITS OF THE PRACTICE Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva Pūrvapraṇidhāna Sūtra outlines the merits of practicing with Kṣitigarbha. The sutra suggests that those who follow its teachings will attain inconceivable merits and benefits. This practice can also aid in dissolving immeasurable negative karma.
Protected by the Naga Kings. Merits increase daily.| Gather the causes of the saints. Bodhi does not degenerate.
Clothing and food are abundant. Diseases do not approach.
Away from water and fire disasters. No thieves and misfortunes.
Being respected. Gods and ghosts assist and help.
Rebirth into men. Become powerful and influential princess.
With upright and good looks. Often born in heaven.
Become an emperor. Innate wisdom.
All requests are granted. Relatives and family are joyful.
All obstacles are eliminated. Escape from the karmic world.
All places are accessible. Dreams at night are peaceful.
The deceased are free from suffering. Receive blessings in future lives.
All saints praise. Intelligent and sharp-witted.
Full of compassionate and loving kindness. Ultimately attain Buddhahood.
Kṣitigarbha Puja during Qingming Festival Kṣitigarbha is a highly revered manifestation of the Buddha among the Chinese due to his significant vows to protect those in the lower realms. This is particularly important to the Chinese, who are concerned about their ancestors who may have been reborn in the lower realms. During the Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day (and sometimes referred to as Chinese Memorial Day or Ancestors’ Day), which is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated by ethnic Chinese across Asia, Kṣitigarbha Puja is a common practice and holds significant relevance for Chinese Buddhists. WHO CAN ATTEND There are no formal prerequisites.
SPONSOR THE PUJA TO DEDICATE TO A LOVED ONE Many people enjoy watching various Pujas online performed by Lamas believing they are receiving a huge benefit. It is also common in the West for people to ask a lama to pray for them without making any offering or having a personal connection. While, as one of all sentient beings, you are connected to the results of the Puja made for the benefit of all sentient beings, the karmic connection is incredibly weak, and therefore so is the result. Normally during certain times in one’s life when a Puja or prayers are required to clear various karmic debts, obstacles, or karmically-based illness, it is customary to make financial offerings to the Lama for prayers and Pujas. This creates a stronger Karmic connection to the Puja, which creates a stronger karmic result.
Schedule by Timezone
Melbourne, Australia
SATURDAY April 4, 2026 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Session 1: Empowerment and Teaching 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Session 2: Puja and Teaching
