Tibetan monks from the Drepung Monastery will be visiting Bucks County Community College from April 4th to April 8th to perform events expressing their culture through art, dance, prayer, and more. It will be free and open to the public.
The monks will be on campus each of these days from 9am to 4pm in the Solarium to produce a Tibetan Buddhist tradition known as a sand mandala–is a Tibetan Buddhist tradition involving the creation and destruction of mandalas made from colored sand. There will also be a cultural pageant during the week, where attendees can experience the culture and traditions of the Drepung monks through song and dance.
The creation (and ultimately the destruction) of the sand mandala will certainly be something interesting to see. This is an ancient form of art for Tibetan Buddhists. There are different types of mandalas (meaning: world in harmony) that can be chosen from, and they each offer a different meaning. All mandalas have an inner, outer, and secret meaning. They are an important art form involved in prayer, purification, and healing.
The organizer of this event is Pete Chiovarou, Director of Community Programming and College Events at Bucks. I sat down with him to talk more about the significance of this occasion, as well as the events that will be held during the monks’ time at Bucks.
“It is part of their prayer, and is supposed to bring good vibes,” says Chiovarou. At the end, the Tibetan monks “walk down to the creek and dump [the sand],” notes Chiovarou.
The cultural pageant that will take place is also a notable event. It will include a performance of dance, prayer rituals, and throat singing.
Chiovarou makes note of the significance of experiencing a religion and culture that many may not know that much about. “Even if you aren’t religious, this is something everyone can be a part of,” he says. “It is an exposure to a different religion
The monks, whose monastery was founded in 1416, are part of the Gomang College, which is the oldest of the Drepung colleges. It has been very important throughout history in furthering Tibetan and Buddhist culture. Over the years, they have brought their tour around the country for people of all religions to experience.
The traditions of the Drepung monks will be on display here in a few weeks, and it is sure to be a significant event. All in all, as Chiovarou mentions, “people will find similarities” between themselves and the monks. It is also important to acknowledge their views, and “the ideals they bring forth, like kindness to others.”
The destruction of many of their monasteries in the middle of the 20th century at the hands of Chinese Communists left Tibetan Buddhists, including the Dalai Lama, without much left. Since then, they have rebuilt and have reestablished their culture and ideals throughout India. Their tours to the United States give people of all different kinds of faith and cultures an opportunity to revel in their beautiful traditions.