The monks of the Mystical Arts of Tibet: Sacred Music Sacred Dance robe themselves in magnificent costumes and play traditional Tibetan instruments while performing ancient temple music and dance. The Loseling monks perform nine pieces believed to generate energies conducive to world healing. Their performance, which includes multiphonic singing by chant masters, transcends time and place through rituals joyous, rapturous and hauntingly beautiful. The monks will also create a mandala sand painting in the main lobby outside Popejoy Hall in the days before their performance. 

Mandala Schedule

Wednesday, May 28

1:00pm

• Sacred Opening Ceremony

The monks begin by consecrating the site of the mandala sand painting with approximately 30 minutes of chants, music, and mantra recitation. This event is visually and acoustically striking, and draws large audiences and media attention.  

1:30pm – 4:30pm

• Line-drawing

Immediately after the Opening Ceremony the monks start drawing the line design for the mandala. This is very exacting work that takes about three hours to complete.    

4:30pm – 6:00pm

• Sacred sand painting begins
  

Throughout its creation, the monks pour millions of grains of sand from traditional metal funnels called chakpur. The finished mandala is approximately five feet by five feet in size, and takes three to five days of work.

Thursday, May 29

10:00am – 6:00pm

• Sacred sand painting 

Friday, May 30

10:00am – 6:00pm

• Sacred sand painting       

10:00am – 6:00pm

• Public sand painting opportunity

Observe the monks creating the  White Tara mandala and try your hand at contributing to a community mandala at the same time. We will provide the materials and templates in the Center for the Arts Lobby.

Saturday, May 31

10:00am – 12:00pm  

• Completion of the Sacred Mandala

1:00pm – 2:00pm

• Sacred Consecration Ceremony and dismantling of the Mandala

During the closing ceremony, the monks dismantle the mandala, sweeping up the colored sands to symbolize the impermanence of all that exists. When requested, half of the sand is distributed to the audience as blessings for personal health and healing.