Schedule

BUTTER SCULPTURE WORKSHOP: $15 Register Today!

The monks will work with children and adults to create traditional sculptures made from butter, as has been done in Tibet for over 800 years. Due to both its plentitude and highly elastic qualities, Tibetans have found butter to be very conducive to sculpture. The butter has been shaped into Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, flowers, animals, and auspicious symbols. These sculptures are then used to decorate ritual offering cakes made from barley flour. In Tibet, especially during Monlam (the Great Prayer Festival), butter sculpture contests were held among the major monasteries and were often over 12 feet high! This workshop will begin with a demonstration by the monks and will be followed by the opportunity for each participant to make his/her own butter sculpture. Length: 1 to 1.5 hour.

EVENING LECTURES:

Memebrs $45/Non-Memebers $55

Register Today!

MONDAY – 6 Perfections Ethics, Patience, Effort (Joyful Perseverance), Concentration, Wisdom, Generosity

TUESDAY – Empowerment

White Zambhala: With this empowerment, we can engage in the Practice of White Dzambhala, “Summoning Good Fortune”, and create the causes and conditions which will lead to the generation of wealth and prosperity, the cessation of material suffering, the relief of poverty and the development of Bodhicitta mind to attain enlightenment.

WEDNESDAY – Wed-Dialectical Debate

Liberation, in the highest sense, is attained through the fusion of the intellect and intuition. The path to freedom requires wisdom, which can only be achieved through the deep questioning of one’s beliefs by both oneself and others. Tibetan Monastic Colleges employ the system of dialectical debate as part of the routine of study for the monks. It is used to dispel doubt and to acquire a deep understanding of the subjects being studied. The student is encouraged to question everything related to the topic being discussed (as was also done by Plato and Aristotle in Ancient Greece). This is invaluable for sharpening one’s wit and testing one’s wisdom.

Thursday – Meditations on Patience and Compassion

Friday – Four-Armed Chenrezig (Buddha of Compassion)

The Buddha of Compassion is known as Chenrezig (Tibetan) or Avalokitshevara (Sanskrit), meaning ‘liberator from the unfortunate lower rebirths.’ Chenrezig pledged in front of all the Buddhas not to attain Buddhahood until all sentient beings were free from sufferings of samsara. Receiving the empowerment of this Buddha, therefore, provides one with protection from an unfortunate lower rebirth. Chenrezig has many aspects and embodies the Universal Compassion of all the Buddhas of the three times and ten directions. The purpose of the empowerment is to establish a close relationship [with Chenrezig and to benefit from his almighty power of compassion. In this era of violence and mental instability, the blessing of Chenrezig has highly sought after, as it helps one to become more peaceful and compassionate, even with the state of current events. The empowerment will also initiate one into the mantra of Avalokitshevara: OM MANI PADME HUM, which contains the essence of all 84,000 volumes of Buddha teaching.

Additional Events

BUSINESS BLESSING: Free to attend!

Wednesday, April 10th @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm EST

Mandala Design and Build: Free to attend!

Fire Puja Mandala : (Peace)

Observe the Monks as they create a sacred sand mandala on the property. Mandala means that which extracts the essence. There are many different types of mandalas used by Tibetan Buddhists.

Monday and Tuesday, April 8th & 9th @ 9 am-12 pm EST

Monday and Tuesday, April 8th & 9th@ 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm EST

Purpose of the Tour

Join us all week long as we are welcomed into their culture and teachings. While they are here, their mission is twofold:

1. To immerse you in the ancient traditions of the monks, sharing their wisdom of meditation and pathways to inner peace and compassion.

2. They aim to make a tangible difference by contributing to the construction of a new Khangtsen (dormitory). Currently, the monks face challenges due to limited accommodation, like three monks often sharing a single room meant for one. This overcrowding not only impacts their living conditions but also hampers their ability to focus on spiritual growth.

Together, we’re stepping up to address this pressing issue. With your support, their goal is to build 60 new rooms! 

By ensuring they have adequate living space, we’re enabling them to thrive and continue their invaluable contributions to the world.

Join them on this meaningful journey to explore ancient wisdom, foster compassion, and make a lasting impact on the lives of their revered monks.