Get rich now, Buddha's how! Michael Roach's 'karmic management and prosperity training'

“I know nothing about business but I know about pen,” said American Michael Roach at a talk given at Olympic House this week.

Confused? This is the voice of enlightenment speaking and if you don't understand, you're clearly way too far from nirvana.

Michael Roach is a Tibetan Buddhist and the first Westerner to ever qualify for the geshe degree at Sera Monastery. He is an authority on getting rich through grasping Buddhist principals and his unorthodox behaviour, such as wearing the robes of a monk yet living with his female “spiritual” partner, has caused him to run into trouble with the office of the Dalai Lama.

Controversial though he may be, this man seems to have gotten something right and he has US$250 million to prove it.

Roach set up Andin International Diamond Corporation and his bestseller "The Diamond Cutter: The Buddha on Strategies for Managing Your Business and Your Life" was read by the likes of Warren Buffet.

Roach's two-day karmic retreat in Hong Kong from December 11-13 is to help Hong Kongers “make money, get young and also help to find a nice partner.”

He said it's for everyone: “It doesn’t matter if you are Buddhist or not Buddhist. I am not talking about Buddhist ideas. I am talking good business.”

If the retreat is anything like his talk at Olympic House, it will test participants' patience. Speaking in broken English (probably intended to aid the Cantonese translator), Roach took his time explaining how to apply profound Buddhist thought in everyday life. The audience was left to ponder how to go about "planting the seeds" of prosperity in their minds. We know it has something to do with a pen.

In Roach’s own words he is “US$250 million crazy.” And really, with the promise of cash, eternal youth and a hot date, what do you have to lose but to check out the retreat?

Harmonium Karmic Management and Prosperity Training

Weekend Retreat with Geshe Michael Roach and Senior Teachers

December 11-13, from Friday 4pm to Sunday 7pm

The Kadoorie Institute, Shek Kong Centre, The University of Hong Kong, Lam Kam Road, Shek Kong Yuen Long, New Territories

Option of residential pass (HK$2,500) or day pass (HK$1,500)

www.harmonium.com.hk