Tibetan Buddhist Monks Return to Coral Springs this Month

by Sharon Aron Baron January 2, 2017

by Sharon Aron Baron January 2, 2017 2 minutes read

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Tibetan Monks constructing the Sand Mandala in Coral Springs in 2016. Photo by Adam Baron.

By: Sharon Aron Baron

The Sacred Art Tour will return to the Coral Springs Museum of Art this month for a six day event of culture, teachings, and artistic expression.

Eight Tibetan Buddhist monks from the Drepung Gomang Monastery, students of H.H. Dalai Lama, will visit the Coral Springs Museum of Art Tuesday Jan. 17 – Sunday Jan. 22, 2017 to spread the monks’ message of peace, loving kindness, wisdom, and compassion while sharing their traditional Tibetan arts and culture. Funds raised from this event support their Monastery in southern India.

Sand Mandala

Working carefully on the Sand Mandala. Photo by Adam Baron.

During their stay, the monks will devote each day from 10:00am until closing constructing the renowned Sand Mandala. Millions of colored grains of sand will be carefully laid out in specific patterns and diagrams which represent sacred textual Buddhist imagery. Upon completion, the mandala will be ceremoniously deconstructed and deposited into a moving waterway, which is believed to spread blessings to the local community.

Dinner with the Monks and other Events

Other highlights include tradition Tibetan culinary classes followed by lunch or dinner with the monks which will include casual conversation with the Geshe. Artistic workshops feature the painting of Tibetan peace symbols on stones called Mani Stones, the ancient art of butter sculpture and coloring Tibetan designs for kids. Cultural pageantry presents costume, ritual dance, song, and chants. Sacred Tibetan practices and chanting open and close each day.

Events require ticket purchase or pre-registration. Space is limited for workshops and culinary events.

Whole Body Dietitian Nutriiton Counseling

Visitors will also have the opportunity to purchase goods from the Tibetan Marketplace offered by the monks throughout their visit. The marketplace will be located within the Museum.

All contributions from the tour are used to purchase food, housing, and medical supplies for the nearly 2,000 monks at the Drepung Gomang Monastery in Southern India, and as seed funds for income-generating projects aimed at eventual self-sufficiency.

The Museum is located at 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs, Florida 33065 and is open to the general public (954) 340-5000.

Author Profile

Sharon Aron Baron

Editor of Talk Media and writer for Coral Springs Talk. CST was created in 2012 to provide News, Views, and Entertainment for the residents of Coral Springs and the rest of South Florida.