Tibetan Buddhist monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery will construct a Mandala Sand Painting right here on our campus the week of March 16. Millions of grains of sand are painstakingly laid into place in this ancient spiritual art form in order to purify and heal the environment and its inhabitants.
The monks will start with an opening ceremony on Monday, March 16 at noon, and spend the week constructing the painting on Lynn Library’s second floor landing. Students will welcome the monks to campus with a bonfire party at the firepit at 7 p.m.
The construction culminates in a closing ritual and procession on Friday, March 20, at 3 p.m., during which the monks dismantle the Mandala, sweeping up the colored sands to symbolize the impermanence of all that exists.
The monks will be staying on campus all week in Freiburger Residence Hall, taking meals in the Elmore Dining Commons and interacting with the Lynn community. Student Affairs has several evening activities planned that the monks are invited to participate in i.e. intramural games, game night, and more.
“The Mystical Arts of Tibet” is a world tour produced by Drepung Loseling and endorsed by the Dalai Lama and Richard Gere. The monks began touring in 1988 to share their sacred arts for world peace and healing.
Plan to visit the library during the week to check out this once-in-a-lifetime experience sponsored by Spiritual and Religious Life and Student Affairs.
Except for the spokesperson and road manager, few of the monks speak English and those who do, only a little. Speak slowly and clearly so they have time to interpret. Sometimes they understand English but are very shy about speaking, but would be happy to have the opportunity to practice English. Keep in mind that those wonderful smiles don’t mean that understood what you said.
Here are some useful Tibetan phrases:
HELLO - TASHI DELEG
THANK YOU - THUG JE CHE
GOOD MORNING - NGA DRO DE LEG
HOW ARE YOU? - KHEH RAHNG KU SU DE BO YIN PE
I’M FINE - LA YIN. NGAH SUG PO DE BO YIN
YES - LA RE
NO - LA MA RE
OK - LA SO
GOOD BYE (if you’re going) - SHUK DEN JA
GOOD BYE (if you’re staying behind) - GA LE PEB
SEE YOU LATER - JEH YONG
SEE YOU TONIGHT - DHO GONG JEH YONG
SEE YOU TOMORROW - SAHNG NYI JEH YONG
GOOD NIGHT - SIM JAH NAHNG GO