|
|
Sacred Earth and Healing Arts of Tibet The Official Website of the Gaden Shartse Monastery Tours
|
||||
|
Gaden Shartse Norling College Exiled in Camp #1, Tibetan Refugee Rehabilitation Settlement, Mundgod, India |
|||||
|
NEW PICTURES ON OUR BLOG! The Tour is Now Blogging
Donate Securely Online Via Paypal (Paypal Membership Not Required)
|
Tour Programs The Sacred Art of Sand Mandala
Mandala means literally "that which extracts the essence." There are many different types of mandalas used by Tibetan Buddhists. They can be created in either two or three dimensions. The ones on the monks' tour will be two‑dimensional sand mandalas. These are without doubt the most creative, labor‑intensive, and concentration‑intensive of all mandalas created.
Learn More About Sand Mandala Here In The Omaha World-Herald's Media Show http://content.omaha.com/media/maps/video/061408monks/
and more from Sioux City
The mandalas offered on the tour will require between 75 and 125 hours of effort, completed by several monks at a time.
Each sand
mandala represents the architectural layout of the entire
palace of a specific deity. The Menla mandala, for
example, represents the dwelling of the Medicine Buddha, who
embodies the perfection of the physical and mental health of all
beings. There are mufti‑layered symbolic images throughout the
'palace,' where iconography, placement, and color all have
significance. Additionally, to the learned Tibetan Buddhist
monk, the mandala represents his vision of the entire universe.
The mandala is normally used during the initiation of a monk into a high form of meditation. This sacred initiation is referred to as an empowerment ceremony. After the initiation, it requires years or possibly an entire lifetime of intense study and meditation under an experienced Lama to expose the depth and intricacy of the universe.
In the
past, sand mandalas were made with the powdered results
of the grinding of precious stones‑ turquoise, lapis lazuli, coral, powdered gold and silver, and many other cherished and priceless materials. Today, this is only done on very special and/or auspicious occasions. More commonly, the colors are made of powdered and dyed stone, sand, dust, flowers, and charcoal. The colors are chosen to match the color of one of the Buddhas of the five Buddha families.
The sand
is applied very precisely by the gentle tapping of a sand‑filled
metal cone that has had its tip removed. The Master must be the
first to initiate the mandala, and
does so by being the first to pour the sand. The outline of the mandala is defined by the holding of a string that is dipped in chalk and then 'snapped' in the appropriate place. Upon completion of the mandala, the monks will purposely destroy the magnificent work of art. The Buddha's last words were "All things are impermanent, work out your salvation with diligence." In upholding the principle that life is transient, the monks sweep up the mandala and place the sand in a river, lake, or ocean as an offering to purify the surrounding environment.
Sand Mandalas Offered: Buddha of Medicine (Menla) Buddha of Wisdom (Manjushri) Buddha of Compassion (Green Tara Female) Buddha of Compassion (Avalokiteshvara Male) Buddha of Long Life (White Tara Female) Buddha of Purification (Vajrasattva) Solitary Yamantaka (Wrathful) 10 Wrathful Dieties 13 Diety Yamantaka Vajrayogini (Diamond Yogini Female) Fire Puja: Peace, Increase Power and Wrath Wheel of Existence
LECTURE TOPICS
Each lecture is given by a Lama and a monk and can last between 1 1 /2 and 2 hours, including a question and answer session. One of the monks (or a tour organizer) will introduce the Lama and his interpreter, give the details of the Monastery, and offer a brief description of the beliefs of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism. It is asked that a couple of chairs and some water or tea be provided for the monks. Please see the attached price list or speak to the national organizer regarding the suggested donation for the lecture.
Topics indude:
Death, Bardo, and Rebirth A lecture on the Three Stages of Life
Refuge
Path of the Bodhisattva
Karma (Action) Cause and Results
12 Links of Dependent Arising
The Six Perfections
The Highest Concentrations of Bliss
The Four Noble Truths (The Teaching of Buddha) Suffering, the Causes of Suffering, the End of Suffering, and the Path to Freedom Meditations on Patience and Compassion
World Peace and the Unity of all Religions Lectures can be organized for high school or college classes. Public lectures can also be scheduled in auditoriums, bookstores, churches, health food stores, and alternative and healing businesses.
STAGE PERFORMANCES
Prelude and Welcome:
Presentation of the portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama His Holiness the Dalai Lama, widely known for his immense love and compassion, is the spiritual and secular leader of Tibet. The Tibetan tradition is to display the portrait of His Holiness before and during any spiritual and auspicious event. His gracious presence is invited in order that he bless the environment and all those present at the particular event.
Kangso (The ritual of fulfillment) Kangso is one of the main rituals performed in the daily life of the Tibetan people. By offering the melodious sounds of various musical instruments, this ritual is performed as a means of worshipping and making offerings to gurus, meditational deities, and protector deities. Making such offerings helps one to clear obstacles and become more effective at benefiting other beings. The ritual performed on tour reflects the Kangso practiced on very special occasions.
EMPOWERMENTS
Four‑Armed Chenrezig (Buddha of Compassion) The Buddha of Compassion is known as Chenrezig (Tibetan) or AvaloWshevara (Sanskrit), meaning 'liberator from the unfortunate lower rebirths.' Chenrezig pledged in front of the Buddhas not to attain Buddhahood until all sentient beings were free from the sufferings of samsara. Receiving the empowerment of this Buddha, therefore, provides one with protection from an unfortunate lower rebirth. Chenrezig embodies the Universal Compassion of all the Buddhas of the three times and ten directions, and has many aspects.
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 is highly sought after as it helps one to become more peaceful and compassionate despite 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's teaching.
Buddha of Compassion (Green Tara)
White Umbrella (Dukar removal of obstacles)
Menla (Medicine Buddha) Menla is the embodiment of the power of healing of all the Buddhas. While most of us are used to taking some form of medication on a daily basis, whether that be in the form of prescription drugs, vitamins, or herbal concoctions, rarely do we find that we feel any better. As has been confirmed by both Western and Eastern scientific research, strength of the mind and will has a major role in the process of healing. For millennia our ancestors have been aware of the effect of spiritual practice upon healing, and have used it as a necessary supplement to medication. The Medicine Buddha empowerment is meant to establish a special connection between the participant and the deity. Once this relationship has been developed and strengthened through the empowerment, the participant will become more open to receiving the benefits of the healing powers of all the Buddhas.
"Mani" (Buddha of Wisdom) Manjushri is the embodiment of the wisdom of all the Buddhas. Wisdom is crucial for enlightenment in that it is both the antidote of ignorance and is itself the true meaning of selflessness/ emptiness. Performing the practice of the deity Manjushri accelerates the attainment of the knowledge that eliminates suffering. By 'sipping the nectar' of the profound teachings delivered by Lord Manjushrl, one has access to the heart of liberating wisdom. This empowerment will include the transmission of the mantra OM AH RA PA TSA NA DHI.
Vajrasattva (Buddha of Purification) Vajrasattva is the Buddhist deity of Purification. The practice of the Vajrasattva deity purifies all negative actions committed by our body, through our speech, and in our minds. All that has been contaminated through our own negativities will be cleansed, and we will be able to begin afresh. The Vajrasattva practice is also capable of uprooting and purifying the negative imprints that we have carried over from our previous lives. This empowerment will include the transmission of the 100 Syllable Mantra.
Long Life and Healing Empowerments
Vajravidharan
Healing Ritual
The Tantric ritual of Vajravidharan will be the primary focus of private and group healings. Vajravidharan is a ritual of purification and has three stages: purification and removing of negativities; removing subtle negative imprints; and, offering protection. The vajra master will take the form of this Buddha of Purification and use his power to cleanse participants. Vajravidharan purifies sickness, mental disturbances, infectious diseases, disputes, enmities, defllements, misfortunes, bad omens, victimization by others, premature death, negative influences of the stars, harm from rulers and thieves, influence of demons, the agents of death, obstacles, misguidance, and factors against congenial life.
Ritual Procedure: Purification: The Lama instructs participants through visualizations and ritual and then pours radiant nectar and rays of light into their mind and body. Removing subtle negative imprints: The Lama instructs participants through visualization and ritual and then takes the negative subtle imprints and transforms them into Inexhaustible Bliss. He will then summon the negative forces and will use the Bliss to appease them. Finally, he disperses the negative forces and instructs them not to return.
Protection: The Lama creates a diamond‑like impenetrable layer of light around and within the participant.
White Tara Long Life
Amitayius Long Life
Lama Tsong Kapa Healing
Yamantaka Purification
Consecration - Healing Rituals to Ward Off Obstacles
Chay Drol Literally translated as " to make free of obstacles," Chay Drol is a ritual that helps to remove the obstacles that prevent one from achieving enlightenment. The procedure begins with the Lama generating himself in the form of a deity. He then places colored strings and pieces of cloth on various parts of the participant's body. Through ritual, the strings and pieces of cloth will be transformed to physically represent the obstacles of the participant. Finally, the Lama will use 'Wisdom Weapons' to cut the 'obstacles' from the participant, thereby freeing him/her and opening the door to liberation.
Special Rituals Tara For Success in Life, Business, Long Life Clearing of Obstructions for Protection Removing Obstacles
Heart Sutra Dissolves inner and outer negativities and protects from the ripening of negative actions and/or consequences. Extending One's Life Span Attracting Wealth
Fire Puja Removing and Minimizing the Impact of Negative Imprints for Next Life Sadness and Healing
SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Chant and Discussion with the Monks • One deep chant with musical instruments . • Question and Answer Session Length: One hour
Butter Sculpture Demonstration and Workshop
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 found (and still do) butter to be very conducive to sculpture.
The butter was shaped into Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, flowers, animals, and auspicious symbols, which were 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: One hour
ASTROLOGY Astrological consultations by appointment. Please contact the tour. |
||||
THE
MONKS OF GADEN SHARTSE MONASTERY
|
©2005 Gaden Shartse Tours To report problems or for inquiries about this website, please eMail: mail@gadenshartsetour.org |