In a series of events lasting one week, monks from the renowned Gaden Shartse monastery will create a sand mandala for public viewing, perform opening and closing rituals for the benefit of attendees, and present a lecture on Buddhist concepts of life, death, and rebirth. The Gaden Shartse monastery was originally founded in the fifteenth century in Tibet and now rests in Karnataka, India. Its monks are internationally famous for their sand mandalas and include several geshes, holders of the highest degree of monastic education.
Valedictorian Geshe Lharampa Jampa Chodak will speak at the lecture and lead the empowerment and blessing rituals that open and close the mandala creation. Visit the mandala any time during viewing hours to see the work in progress. Attend the rituals and public lecture to witness and learn more about Tibetan Buddhism from specialists of the tradition.
Mandala Creation at the Moody Center for the Arts, Flex Studio
The sand mandala is one of the most famous aspects of Tibetan Buddhism, an intricate artistic object created to purify, empower, and enlighten. Constructed from colored powder and finely ground stone, the sand mandala is both labor-intensive and ephemeral, being destroyed just after its completion, finalizing its effect and distributing its blessings.
Monks from the renowned Gaden Shartse monastery in India will create a mandala representing the palace of Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom, to help foster knowledge and understanding in our community. Like the owl of Athena, which Rice has selected for its logo and mascot, Manjushri is a powerful symbol of wisdom that transcends time and culture.
Geshe Lharampa Jampa Chodak will lead the opening and closing rituals for empowerment and blessing.
Opening Ritual
Mon. Oct. 16 9:30 - 10:30 am
Public Viewings
Oct. 16 - 20
Mon - Thur 9 am - 5 pm
Fri 9 am - 11 am
Dissolution Ritual
Fr. Oct. 20 10:30 - 11:30 am
Public Lecture
Buddhist Concepts of Death, Bardo, and Rebirth
Geshe Lharampa Jampa Chodak of the Gaden Shartse monastery will speak on topics of death, bardo, and rebirth, explaining the stages and goals of life and death from the perspective of Tibetan Buddhism. This presentation will be an excellent entry into essential ideas of Buddhism for beginners and also provide valuable insights from an adept scholar for experts.
Geshe Lharampa Jampa Chodak is holder of the title of geshe, the highest degree of Tibetan monastic education, and was valedictorian of his class. The Gaden Shartse monastery was originally founded in the fifteenth century in Tibet and now rests in Karnataka, India
Tue. Oct. 17 5:00 - 7:00 pm
The Moody Center for the Arts, The Lois Chiles Studio Theater
For information regarding directions to the event location and parking, please see the Moody Center for the Arts' webpage.
Sponsored by the Chao Center for Asian Studies, the Department of Religion, the Humanities Research Center, and the Moody Center for the Arts.