2005/06: Fifth US-Tour of Drepung Gomang monks!
The first US-tours of the Drepung Gomang monks in 1999 through 2004 were so successful that they decided to return in July 2005 again for performances, prayers and teachings.
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Tour Goal
The purpose of this tour is to share the compassion and wisdom of the ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture with US and Canadian citizens. At the same time, much needed funds for the survival of this culture-in-exile can be raised. Drepung Gomang Monastery continues to house, feed and educate everyone wishing to study at this monastic center of higher learning including orphans and refugees fleeing Chinese occupied Tibet. Sponsors' contributions are used for food, living quarters, medical facilities and as seed-funds for income-generating projects aimed at eventual self-sufficiency.
The Performance
The Tibetan cultural pageant features harmonic overtone chanting of traditional prayers, accompanied by temple instruments including horns, flutes, bells and drums. Delicate hand gestures and other offerings accompany the mystical rituals and multiphonic singing, (each monk chants a chord of three notes). Richly costumed dances, including masked animals, will be performed. Together with the narration accompanying each piece and the monastic debate, the event provides a fascinating and warm glimpse into ancient and current Tibetan culture.
Blessings in Private Homes, Hospitals and Offices
The monks offer prayers for specific purposes or for a combination of blessings. Called "pujas", a sanskrit word for worship, prayers are recited in the traditional overtone chanting, each monk singing a full chord of three notes. The prayers are often accompanied by delicate hand gestures, symbols, drums, horns and flutes. Prayers may be recited for a house blessing, the evolution of the soul of a friend or relative who has passed on (including animals), the clearing of karma, pacification of local negative energy, world peace, individual or global healing, financial security, spiritual evolution, the development of wisdom, and the removal of obstacles.
When the prayers are recited in private homes, it is traditional for hosts to offer the monks a meal or tea, providing the family with intimate personal time in conversation with the monks.
Sand Mandala
Mandalas (Sanskrit for "Circle") are drawings of sand in three dimensional form. In Tibetan,
this art is called "dul-tson-kyil-khor", which means "mandala of colored
powder". Millions of grains of sand are painstakingly laid into place on a flat
platform over a period of days. When finished, to symbolize the impermanence of all that
exists, the colored sands are swept up and poured into a nearby river or stream where the
waters carry healing energies throughout the world. When requested, the monks arrange to
preserve a mandala, though this is not traditional.
The most common substance used in the creation of dul-tson-kyil-khor is colored sand.
Other popular substances are powdered flowers, herbs or grains, and also powdered and
colored stone. In ancient times, powdered precious and semi-precious gems were also used.
Thus, lapis lazuli would be used for the blues, rubies for the reds, and so forth. The
subject for a Tibetan sand painting is known in Sanskrit as a mandala or cosmogram. In
general, all mandalas have outer, inner, and secret meaning. On the outer level they
represent the world in its divine form; on the inner level, they represent a map by which
the ordinary human mind is transformed into the enlightened mind; and on the secret level,
they predict the primordially perfect balance of the subtle energies of the body and the
clear light dimension of the mind. The creation of a sand painting is said to effect a
purification and healing on these three levels.
Every tantric system has its own mandala, and thus each one symbolizes an existential
and spiritual approach. For example, that of Lord Avalokiteshvara symbolizes compassion as
a central focus of the spiritual experience; that of Lord Manjushri takes wisdom as the
central focus; and that of Vajrapani emphasizes the need for courage and strength in the
quest for sacred knowledge. Medicine Buddha mandalas are created to generate
healing powers .
The creation of a sand mandala begins with an opening ceremony. Monks consecrate the
site and call forth the forces of goodness through chanting mantras accompanied by flutes,
drums and symbols.
An outline of the mandala on the wooden platform is then drawn. The following days
see the laying of the colors. The sand, colored with vegetable dyes or opaque temper, is
poured to the mandala platform with a narrow metal funnel called a "chakpur"
which is scraped by another metal rod to cause sufficient vibration for the grains of sand
to trickle out if its end. The two "chakpurs" are said to symbolize the union of
wisdom and compassion. The mandalas are created whenever a need for healing of the
environment and living beings is felt. The monks consider our present age to be one of
great need in this respect, and therefore are creating these mandalas where requested
throughout their world tours.
Programs for Schools, Churches and Universities
Prayers: The monks recite prayers in the traditional "overtone style" of chanting, each monk singing three notes simultaneously. Prayers can be for world, local and individual peace and harmony, focusing on the development of compassion, wisdom, or for bringing forth courage and strength in the quest for sacred knowledge. Prayers for the well-being of those who have passed on, healing, or the blessing of a home, work or study area are also typically recited in the monastery. A combination of any of the above prayers can also be arranged. Depending on the prayer, the chanting is accompanied by flutes, horns, symbols, drums, bells, and delicate hand gestures of offering. Total time: Variable
Debate: In this lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, the Gelugpa sect,
the gaining of inner wisdom through the practice of debate is highly honored. Monks of all ages spend hours in lively discussion at the large debate grounds, often
way into the early morning hours. The Monks grasp of scriptures and textual reference is tested and honed. Though the debate itself is in Tibetan, the liveliness, joy, and spontaneity is infectious, and a translation
of the general content is provided afterward.
Total time: Including introduction and explanation is 15 – 20 minutes
Discussion: The life stories of each of the ten monks are
fascinating. Five of the monks were born in Chinese occupied Tibet and spent months traveling
on foot through the snow covered Himalayan Mountains. Sleeping outside
and fleeing Chinese soldiers, they reached the monasteries in Nepal and
India where they are free to study their own language, culture, and religion. Others, though born in freedom, have inspiring reasons for joining the monastery; some made the decision as young as age eleven.The monks are happy to share their stories, describe life in the monastery and answer questions. Total time: Variable
Teachings: Teachings are
available on Tibetan Buddhism including topics such as the Four Noble Truths, Karma, Samsara or the Cycle of Life, Death, and Rebirth, the Development of
Compassion, and Meditation.Total Time: Variable
Recommendation: A program combining any or all of the above venues can be arranged. If less than two hours is available, selecting only two or three of the above programs is suggested.
Friends of Drepung Gomang Monastery is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization, incorporated in April 1998 by Andreas Kurz as the US branch of the Drepung Gomang Monastery (Tax I.D. 13-4005994). All donations are tax deductible within the provisions of the law and should be sent to:
Friends of Drepung Gomang Monastery
22500 Monte Vista Drive
Topanga, CA 90290
