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The Universal Light Expo is proud and pleased to again host the monks
from the Drepung Loseling Monastery for a weekend of Ceremony and the
Sand Mandala construction. Their presence has focused the lightwork of
the Expo since 1995. We love and appreciate the monks and all of the wonderful
energy they bring to the Expo.
Sacred Dance/
Sacred Music
Saturday night, Main Auditorium, 8:30-10:30 PM
Tickets $15 (or just $10 with Expo admission).
(Advance tickets available on Saturday at the Expo Information Booths,
or
at 8 PM at the Auditorium ticket office.)
Come to a magnificent
performance of Sacred Music/Sacred Dance by 10 lamas wearing traditional
costumes and performing ancient songs and dances. Each dance/song involves
different colorful costumes. The performance will include high energy
multi-phonic chanting unique to Tibetan Buddhism, as well as, the sounding
of the gyaling horns, symbols, bells. An uplifting performance, never
to be forgotten. Thousands of years of history will be on display. Don't
miss it.
Medicine Buddha
Healing Ceremony
Sunday,
1 PM in the Memorial Room
The Monks will host a special Workshop and ceremony which will include
a special blessing for those present, and should provide a powerful statement
for world and individual healing and peace. The workshop will cost only
$10, with all proceeds going directly to the monks.
Sand
Mandala
Construction:
Saturday 9 AM through Sunday 5 PM, in the West Hall
Dismantling:
Sunday
5:15 - 5:30 PM, in the West Hall
The 2006 sand mandala pictured at left was awesome. See a completely new
one this year, and feel it's incredible energy. Bring your camera, it's
a delight for all ages. The sand mandala is one of the most powerful energy
creations possible on the planet. It's a truly mind - boggling experience.
We believe that you will find the construction of the Sand Mandala to
be one of the most awe inspiring and memorable experiences of your life.
Few expressions of artistic talent will have such an impact upon one's
life as viewing the Mandala. In Tibetan it is called dul-tson-kyil-khor
(which means mandala of colored powders). Millions of grains of colored
sand are painstakingly placed on a flat platform.
The Mandala has inner, outer, and secret meanings. On the outer level
the Mandala represents the world in its divining form; on the inner, enlightenment;
and the secret level depicts the perfect balance of body and mind. The
Mandala teaches simply "being here now". It will help to create
a gateway to pure bliss, peace, healing and harmony in the world. The
Mandala can help one reach enlightenment, free of all obstacles, and filled
with compassion and wisdom. You will feel the peace and healing this powerful
work of living art will generate, and will remember it for the rest of
your life.
 The Mandala is constructed on a Theg-pu (mandala base),
with measured lines, compass, ruler, and white ink pen. After the pattern
is laid out, colored sand is applied through the end of a metal funnel,
called a chakpu, which is rasped against another funnel with various sized
openings. The sand painting's root extends back 15,000-20,000 years, and
has similarities in its use with the newer sand paintings of the Hopi
and Navajo of our own southwest.
Construction of the Mandala begins at the center and works outward, as
the Mandala is made in the spirit of impermanence and non-attachment,
to be washed away. In this way the Tibetan Buddhist monks build planetary
peace a grain of sand at a time. We are honored and pleased to host this
sacred work. Since 1995 the sand mandalas have become more and more incredible
and important in the creation of sacred energy here in Ohio and the Midwest.
About
the Monks and their Monastery
The Drepung Loseling
Monastery was established in 1416 near Lhasa, Tibet by Chojey Tashi Palden.
Ten to fifteen thousand monks served the monastery. After the Chinese
Communist invasion of Tibet in 1959, the slaughter of monks, and destruction
of 6,500 monasteries, about 220 monks from Loseling managed to escape
the holocaust and rebuild in Karnataka State, South India. They have renewed
their traditional training programs, and now almost 2200 monks help preserve
the ancient ways. This visit to Columbus helps to support the entire monastery
operations both in the US and in India, with the hope that someday religion
will again be allowed to operate without harassment and death in Tibet.
We are doubly blessed that the monks can come here to Columbus again this
year. Don't miss them or the Sand Mandala in the West Hall, and be sure
to visit their Booth near the Mandala, and their website at: www.MysticalArtsOfTibet.org
Om
Mane Padme Hum.
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