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Buddhist Retreat to host Tibetan monks Sacred Arts Tour

Fosters Daily Democrat, August 15, 2008

Newmarket, NH (USA) -- Aryaloka Buddhist Retreat Center will host the Tibetan Monks Sacred Arts Tour beginning Monday Aug. 25 to Saturday Aug. 30.

<< Courtesy photo
A scene from the Gaden Jangtse Monastery in south centeral India. The monastery serves more than 2,600 monks and is growing as more Tibetan refugees look for religious and educational freedoms.

The general public is welcome at the weeklong event. There will be activities every day and on three evenings. Please check the schedule below. Registration is not required for any activity but the center expects significant interest, so arriving early when possible is recommended.

This will be a truly unique opportunity to learn and spend time with the visiting Tibetan monks. The tour represents efforts to explore Tibetan heritage and to generate funds for food and education supplies for the new Gaden Jangtse Monastery. This monastery has been rebuilt in south central India, thanks to donations of land by the Indian government. The new monastery was built for about 300 monks, now the monastery serves more than 2,600 monks and growing with even more Tibetan refugees looking for religious and educational freedoms.

The original Gaden Jangtse Monastery was established in 1409 in Lhasa, Tibet. At one point 7,000 monks lived there and it was the second largest monastery in Tibet. Nothing of that monastery remains today.

Since the Chinese invasion in 1959, Tibet's Buddhist Temples were virtually all destroyed. More than one million Tibetans killed, thousands of monasteries looted and destroyed, and ancient scriptures burned.

The great exodus to India began in 1959.

Schedule of Events at Aryaloka Buddhist Center

Monday, Aug. 25 — 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. — Creating sand mandala — Viewing the process/visiting the monks.

Tuesday, Aug. 26 — 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. — Creating sand mandala — Viewing the process/visiting the monks.

7- 9 p.m. — Evening talk on the Eight Verses of Mind Training (The talk will follow meditation).

Wednesday, Aug. 27 — 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. — Creating sand mandala — Viewing the process/visiting the monks.

7-8 p.m. — Evening presentation of Butter Sculptures for shrine room altar with chanting dedication.

Thursday, Aug. 28 — 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. — Creating sand mandala — Viewing the process/visiting the monks.

Friday, Aug. 29 — 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. — Creating sand mandala — Viewing the process/visiting the monks.

7-9 p.m. — Evening guided meditation and Tara puja.

Saturday, Aug. 30 — 2 p.m. — Dissolving the sand mandala ritual. Public talk on Buddhism and compassion following the ritual.

For more information about this tour and for directions to Aryaloka Buddhist Center, please call 603-659-5456 or email infoaryaloka.org. Also, you may visit our website at www.aryaloka.org. Gaden Jangtse Monastery website www.gadenmonks.org.

There is no cost for any event, but donations for the monastery and Aryaloka will be accepted.

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