DrepungGomangSacred Arts Tour 2015 in Dothan, Alabama March 2-9
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Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Feb 11 2015 8:09 AM
A group of Tibetan Monks from the Drepung Gomang Monastery in India is arriving inDothanfor a week-long stay, March 2nd- March 9th, 2015. During this Sacred Arts Tour, they will be exhibiting Tibetan crafts, creating a Peace Mandala (sacred sand painting) and presenting pageant performances that include dance, song, chanting and debate. This Sacred Arts Tour has been specifically created with the blessing of Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama.
The Drepung Gomang Monastery was founded in 1416 near Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Gomang College is the oldest of the four colleges of Drepung and has produced many Buddhist masters and has been an important Tibetan Buddhist learning center. The Drepung Gomang tour members are refugee monks now living in exile in India. The group is led by GesheLharampaTsewangThinley.
The Gomang monks will participate in a number of presentations, blessings, and workshops whose mission is to share and preserve Tibetan culture artfully overflowing with spirituality, compassion, and beauty. The monks bring teachings of ancient ways and beliefs that do, even now, create the possibility of global peace, non-violent conflict resolution, compassion and wisdom.
Highlighting their trip is the creation of a Sacred World Peace Sand Mandala designed by the Dalai Lama depicting all religions in harmony. The Mandala will be created at theSpiritual Enrichment Center, 942 So. Oates St., with an opening ceremony on Monday, March 2nd at 6:30 p.m. Progress of the Mandala is open to the public each day, Tuesday, March 3rdthrough Saturday, March 7thfrom11am-5pm.
A pageant that includes the monks in costume performing the Yak Dance, the Snow Lion Dance, the Good Luck Dance, music,and chanting prayers as well as playingthe dungchen trumpet of which the sound is often compared to the singing of elephants is planned for Thursday, March 5th at 7:00 p.m. at the Spiritual Enrichment Center, 942 So. Oates St., Dothan. A suggest love offering is $10.Please reserve your space at 334-794-2840 or [email protected]
There is also a traditional dinner being prepared and served by the monks on Friday, March 6th at 6:00 p.m., also at the Spiritual Enrichment Center. The suggested love offering for this meal is $30. Please reserve your space at 334-794-2840 or [email protected]
On Sunday, March 8th there will be an11:00 am services at the Spiritual Enrichment Center of Dothan, 942 So. Oates Street when the monks will perform blessings, play dungchen (Tibetan long horn) songs, and chants. Following the service will be a Mandala closing ceremony at the Center culminating in a procession to disperse the sacred sand. The public is encouraged to attend.
Merchandise created by members of the refugee Tibetan community living in India lama camps will be available for sale. Proceeds from events go directly to the Drepung Gomang Monastery to feed over 2,300 monks living there.
The monks are also available for private blessing of homes, loved ones, or businessesat various times for a suggested donation of $50. Please contact [email protected] for more information orto schedule an appointment.To learn more about the monastery and the Sacred Arts Tour visit www.drepunggomang.org and www.sacredarttour.org
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