DOCSLIB.ORG

Qīnghǎi (青海), Larger Tóngrén Than Any European Country, Occupies a Vast Swathe of the (Repkong)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Qīnghǎi (青海), Larger Tóngrén Than Any European Country, Occupies a Vast Swathe of the (Repkong) ©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd Q īnghǎi POPULATION: 5.4 MILLION Why Go? Xīníng . 864 Big, bold and beautifully barren, Qīnghǎi (青海), larger Tóngrén than any European country, occupies a vast swathe of the (Repkong) . 870 northeastern chunk of the Tibetan plateau. In fact, as far Guìdé . .873 as Tibetans are concerned, this isn’t China at all; it’s Amdo, one of old Tibet’s three traditional provinces, and much of Yùshù (Jyekundo) . .873 what you’ll experience here will seem very much Tibetan Golmud . .876 rather than Chinese; there are monasteries galore, yaks by the hundred and nomads camped out across high-altitude grasslands. Best Places to Eat Rough-and-ready Qīnghǎi is classic off -the-beaten-track territory, often with that last-frontier feel to it. Travelling » Black Tent (p867) around is both inconvenient and uncomfortable, and you » Y īpǐnguó Nóngzhuāng can go for days without meeting another tourist. But those (p873) wonderful moments of solitude, those middle-of-nowhere » Qing Xiang Yuan Farm- high-plateau vistas and the chance to discover some of the house (p873) more remote communities of China’s ethnic minorities make the long bus rides, the cold weather, and the often » Q īnghǎi Tǔ Huǒguō head-achingly high altitude well worth bearing. (p867) When to Go Best Places to Xīníng Drink °C/°F Te m p Rainfall inches/mm 40/104 12/300 » Rebkong Teahouse (p871) 30/86 » Greenhouse (p867) 20/68 10/50 8/200 » On the bank of the Yellow 0/32 -10/14 River (p872) 4/100 » Black Tent (p867) -20/-4 -30/-22 » S ūjī Nímǎ (p867) -40/-40 0 J FDNOSAJJMAM January & Febru- July–September September ary Tibetan New Grasslands at Safest and most Year (Losar), with their greenest; comfortable lots of pilgrims landscape dotted time for trekking and celebrations with nomad tents. around Mt Amnye at monasteries. Machen. Q Dél¨nghƒ K a i d 315 G„NSÙ ¥ a m n Bird Island l Hùzhù ú B a s i n TuŸsu¡ Q¸ngh†i Huángyuán n Lake Chák† Lake X¹NÍNG M Lèd¥ o u H‰im†hé n t Golmud Q¸ngh†i-Tibet Railway D†ot†nghé Píng'ƒn a i n s Kumbum Monastery 109 Gònghé (T†'›r Sì) Xúnhuà K¥nlúnshƒn Pass (4772m) Guìdé Mèngdá Nature True source Tóngrén B of the Reserve a Y Yellow Source of the ellow 109 y Huƒshíxiá Xiàdàw© T a River Yellow River a n (Níutóub‰i) Xu›shƒn n F‰nghu¡ Pass Mt Rabgya Hénán H M†duŸ R g a A Gompa r Zaling Amnye m ive g Machen n M†qìn r M Lake 214 M y e Angba u o o (Tawo) (Huáng u u M a Tsozhe l n t a n t c h a i n s a i e n Hé) Lakes Q¥málái Bayankala Pass n s M (4824m) o ZhìduŸ Miti u Q¸ngshu¨hé Jiangzhanmu-tso n t Ji©zhì a i n Mekong River Dárì Lakes s Ch‰ngduŸ W‰nquán (Láncƒng Jiƒng) Nganba-la Bƒnm† Tanggula Pass Xi‰w© (4700m) (5206m) Yùshù ZáduŸ (Jyekundo) TIBET SÌCHU„N Princess Longshi Wencheng Gompa Temple 0 200 km 0 120 miles Nangchen Q īnghǎi Highlights 1 Sample the culinary 3 Complete a high-altitude walled old town of Guìdé 6 Join the pilgrims, monks remote source of the Yellow delights of Xīníng (p864) trek on the slopes of eastern (p873) and yak-butter sculptures at River (p872) 2 Buy a Tibetan thangka Tibet’s most sacred mountain, 5 Sidestep the spider’s web Kumbum Monastery (p868) 8 Take one of the world’s straight from the artist’s easel Amnye Machen (p870) of prayer fl ags on a hike around 7 Venture across the great train rides, the Qīnghǎi– in Tóngrén (p870) 4 Stay in a farmers-style the hills beside Princess Qīnghǎi–Tibet plateau to the Tibet Railway (p868) to courtyard inside the Wencheng Temple (p874) Lhasa, at Xīníng or Golmud863 NGH NGH Ī Ī Q Q I I Ǎ Ǎ History a 7.1-magnitude earthquake. Thousands of 864 The northern Silk Road passed through people died, some say tens of thousands. For what is now Qīnghǎi province, and in 121 more information, see the boxed text (p941 ). BC the Han dynasty established a military base near modern Xīníng to counter Tibet- Language an raids on trading caravans. Most of the population in Qīnghǎi speaks During the Yarlung dynasty, a time of a northwestern Chinese dialect similar to great expansion of Tibetan power and infl u- that spoken in Gānsù. Most Tibetans here ence, Qīnghǎi was brought directly under speak the Amdo dialect. It’s possible to Lhasa’s control. After the collapse of the dy- travel almost everywhere using Mandarin. nasty in AD 842, local rulers fi lled the ensu- 8 Getting There & Around ing power vacuum, some nominally acting Most people arrive by train, usually into Xīníng, as vassals of Song-dynasty emperors. but after that train lines are limited so long- In the 13th century all of Qīnghǎi was distance buses are the order of the day. In incorporated into the Yuan empire under more remote areas you’ll often have no option Genghis Khan. During this time the Tǔ be- but to hire a private vehicle or hitch. Off -the- Q Ī gan to move into the area around Hùzhù, beaten-track overland routes include south into NGH followed a century or so later by the Salar Sìchuān, at Aba or Sěrshu (Shíqú), and north Muslims into Xúnhuà. into Gānsù or Xīnjiāng from Golmud. Routes Ǎ I After the fall of the Yuan dynasty, local southwest into Tibet are even more remote but Mongol rulers and the Dalai Lamas in Lhasa are often closed to foreigners. wrestled for power. The Qing emperors re- stored the region to full Chinese control, set- ting it up as a prefecture with more or less X īníng 西宁 the same boundaries as today. As in the past, % 0971 / POP 2.1 MILLION / ELEV 2275M however, they left administrative control in Perched on the eastern edge of the Tibetan the hands of local elites. plateau, this lively provincial capital makes Qīnghǎi offi cially became a province of a perfect springboard from which to dive China in 1929 during the republican era, into the surrounding sights and on to the though at the time it was under the de facto more remote regions of Qīnghǎi and be- control of the Muslim Ma clan. Qīnghǎi was yond. The food and lodging are good, the air again made a province in 1949 with the es- is fresh, and the populace is an interesting tablishment of the People’s Republic of China. mix of Muslim (Huí, Salar and Uighur), Ti- In the late 1950s an area near Qīnghǎi betan and Hàn Chinese. Lake (Qīnghǎi Hú) became the centre of China’s nuclear weapons research program. 1Sights In the next 40 years, at least 30 tests were Tibetan Culture Museum MUSEUM held at a secret base, the Qīnghǎi Mine. ( 藏文化博物馆; Zàng Wénhuà Bówùguǎn; admis- In April 2010, Yùshù, a Tibetan town in re- sion Y60; h9.30am-5pm) Previously known as mote southwest Qīnghǎi, was devastated by the Tibetan Medicine Museum, this unusu- al place still focuses on traditional Tibetan medicine and includes old medical instru- PRICE INDICATORS ments, bags, scrolls and, in the astronomy section, a very large sand mandala. The The following price indicators are highlight, though, is the incredible 618m- used in this chapter: long thangka scroll – the world’s longest – which charts pretty much the whole of Sleeping Tibetan history. Completed in 1997 it’s by $ less than Y150 no means an ancient relic, but it is unfea- $$ Y150 to Y300 sibly long. It took 400 artists four years to complete and is ingeniously displayed in a $$$ more than Y300 relatively small hall. Bus 34 (Y1) comes here Eating from West Gate. Bus 1 also goes close. A taxi’s about Y15 from the centre. $ less than Y30 Běichán Sì TEMPLE $$ Y30 to Y50 F (北禅寺; h8am-4pm) The main tem- $$$ more than Y50 ple at the foot of this barren hillside is noth- ing special but halfway up the steep climb multi fl oor layout includes cafe/bar, wide- to the top you pass cave temples and shrines screen TVs, laundry, kitchen and a small 865 that are thought to be 1700 years old. A pa- terrace that you can sleep out on in sum- goda, and great views of the city await you mer (Y10). Rooms are clean, bright and at the top. Turn left after you pass under the spacious, although singles are tiny. Staff railway line and follow the road round to members speak good English and the the temple entrance, or take a Y6 cab. travel agency Tibetan Connections is two fl oors up. One black mark: the showers are Qīnghǎi Provincial Museum MUSEUM either cold, or a trickle. F( 青海省博物馆; Qīnghǎi Shěng Bówùguǎn; Xīnníng Sq, 58 Xiguan Dajie; 新宁广场 Chéng Lín Hotel HOTEL $$ 西关大街58号; h9am-4.30pm Mon-Sat) Scaled ( 成林大厦; Chénglín Dàshà; %491 1199; Dong down in recent years, but still has some Dajie; 东大街; tw/d Y260/280; a) Spacious, nice pieces recovered from excavations in well turned out rooms with ensuite shower Qīnghǎi. The Tibetan carpet exhibition is come with dark-wood furniture, TV and worth seeing. Bus 1 goes here, or take bus kettle and are great value after discounts. 22 from Dongguan Dajie. Twins were going for Y133 when we were Q SLEEPING Ī there.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Sacred Arts of Tibet: Art from the Roof of the World
    Sacred Arts of Tibet Art from the Roof of the World An Educator Workshop presented by the Asian Art Museum Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture April 21, 2001 Prepared and edited by Deborah Clearwaters and Robert W. Clark, Ph.D. based on research by Terese Tse Bartholomew and other authors. We owe a debt of gratitude to Lama Ajia Lousang Tubten Jumai Gyatso, and Tenzin N. Tethong for their help in planning and presenting the workshop. Thanks to Terese Tse Bartholomew, Brian Hogarth, Alina Collier, Stephanie Kao, Elly Wong, and Jason Jose for their help with the packet and the workshop, and to Lisa Kristine, Migration Photography for her pictures. 1 Sacred Arts of Tibet Table of Contents Background Reading About this Packet The Land of Tibet The People of Tibet Nomads ~ Farmers ~ Monks and Nuns (the monastic community) Religious Practice in Tibet Buddhism in Tibet The Development of Buddhism in India Enlightenment and the Buddha’s Teachings Three Paths to Salvation The Bodhisattva Vajrayana Buddhism Bön, Tibet’s Indigenous Belief History The Age of Kings: The "First Transmission" of Buddhism to Tibet (approx. 400 BCE- 850 CE) Songtsen Gambo (618-650), the First King of a Unified Tibet Empress Wen Cheng and Empress Bhrikuti Help Establish Buddhism in Tibet Tibet’s Important Ties with India Expansion of Emperor Songtsen Gambo’s Empire Padmasambhava, the “Lotus Born,” Confronts the Bön Deities Establishment of the First Buddhist Monastery in Tibet Religious Rule: The “Second Transmission” of Buddhism to Tibet (Approx. 850-1000)
    [Show full text]
  • Sacred Arts of Tibet-Sand Mandala
    Sacred Arts of Tibet-Sand Mandala From Drepung Loseling Phukhang Khangtsen, South India Five Monks On Tour in North America Sept 15th – 30th December, 2010 Drepung Loseling Phukhang Khangtsen 2010 North American Tour A BRIEF HISTORY OF OUR MONASTERY: The Drepung Loseling Phukhang Khangsten was founded by the Venerable Tsangtso Samten in Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet, approximately 500 years ago. It thrived as one of the largest Khangtsen (sub-monasteries) of the majestic Drepung Loseling Monastery. It was home to over 12,000 monks in its heyday. This great center of learning suffered a major setback when Communist China first occupied Tibet in the year 1959. Many of their buildings -- their homes, libraries, sacred temples and universities -- were destroyed. Their people, both Tibetan citizens and monastics, were attacked by the invading army, but the spirit and the heart of its people remained strong. In 1976, through much dedication and hard work, this Khangtsen was re-established in Mundgod, Karnataka State, in Southern India under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in exile. THE MONASTERY TODAY: The Drepung Loseling Phukhang Khangtsen, currently home to around 300 monks, is headed by the Venerable Sharpa Choje Rinpoche, the second highest lama in the Gelugpa sect, after the famous and Venerable Gadhen Tri Rinpoche. Over the years, the newly established Drepung Loseling Phukhang Khangtsen has matured into a fully-fledged, recognized and reputed Khangtsen. It continues to play a vital role in the preservation of Mahayana Buddhist Philosophy. In fact, this monastery continues to be responsible for producing hundreds of renowned scholars in the field of Mahayana Buddhism.
    [Show full text]
  • And Celebrate Awaken: a Tibetan Buddhist Journey Toward Enlightenment
    COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS 200 N. Boulevard I Richmond, Virginia 23220 www.VMFA.museum/pressroom FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 1, 2019 MEDIA ALERT VMFA Kicks off Meditation Month with Citywide Events to Promote Mindfulness and Celebrate Awaken: A Tibetan Buddhist Journey Toward Enlightenment L: Visitors participate in Project Yoga’s weekly classes in the E. Claiborne and Lora Robins Sculpture Garden at VMFA; R: Tibetan Buddhist monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery construct a sand mandala WHAT To celebrate meditation month in May and the opening of Awaken: A Tibetan Buddhist Journey Toward Enlightenment, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is inviting Richmond residents to participate in citywide events to promote mindfulness and generosity. From now through Aug., Virginians will have the opportunity to participate in events such as yoga and meditation at the museum, scavenger hunts in Richmond’s parks and gardens and a mandala sand painting ceremony with The Mystical Arts of Tibet, featuring Tibetan Monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery. These activities will encourage participants to power down and unplug before joining a voyage into the visionary art of Tibetan Buddhism featured in Awaken, on view through Aug. 18. In addition to scheduled programs, VMFA will host surprise events around the city as a way to promote random acts of kindness. If you see VMFA in the community, tag #AwakenVMFA for a chance to win tickets to the exhibition. Additionally, if VMFA staff sees you practicing mindfulness or good deeds, you might be rewarded with free tickets to the exhibition. Keep up the good work, Richmond! We can’t wait to see you around town! SCHEDULE New events will be added regularly and dates and times are subject to change.
    [Show full text]
  • Learn Tibetan & Study Buddhism
    fpmt Mandala BLISSFUL RAYS OF THE MANDALA IN THE SERVICE OF OTHERS JULY - SEPTEMBER 2012 TEACHING A GOOD HEART: FPMT REGISTERED TEACHERS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE FOUNDATION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE MAHAYANA TRADITION Wisdom Publications Delve into the heart of emptiness. INSIGHT INTO EMPTINESS Khensur Jampa Tegchok Edited by Thubten Chodron A former abbot of Sera Monastic University, Khensur Jampa Tegchok here unpacks with great erudi- tion Buddhism’s animating philosophical principle—the emptiness of all appearances. “Khensur Rinpoche Jampa Tegchok is renowned for his keen understanding of philosophy, and of Madhyamaka in particular. Here you will find vital points and reasoning for a clear understanding of emptiness.”—Lama Zopa Rinpoche, author of How to Be Happy 9781614290131 “This is one of the best introductions to the philosophy of emptiness 336 pages | $18.95 I have ever read.”—José Ignacio Cabezón, Dalai Lama Professor and eBook 9781614290223 Chair, Religious Studies Department, UC Santa Barbara Wisdom Essentials JOURNEY TO CERTAINTY The Quintessence of the Dzogchen View: An Exploration of Mipham’s Beacon of Certainty Anyen Rinpoche Translated and edited by Allison Choying Zangmo Approachable yet sophisticated, this book takes the reader on a gently guided tour of one of the most important texts Tibetan Buddhism has to offer. “Anyen Rinpoche flawlessly presents the reader with the unique perspective that belongs to a true scholar-yogi. A must-read for philosophers and practitioners.” —Erik Pema Kunsang, author of Wellsprings of the Great Perfection and 9781614290094 248 pages | $17.95 compiler of Blazing Splendor eBook 9781614290179 ESSENTIAL MIND TRAINING Thupten Jinpa “The clarity and raw power of these thousand-year-old teachings of the great Kadampa masters are astonishingly fresh.”—Buddhadharma “This volume can break new ground in bridging the ancient wisdom of Buddhism with the cutting-edge positive psychology of happiness.” —B.
    [Show full text]
  • Sacred Arts of Tibet Tour ••• (562)225-3072 ••• ~Page 1~
    Sacred Arts of Tibet Tour ••• (562)225-3072 ••• www.sacredartsoftibettour.org ~page 1~ Sacred Arts of Tibet Tour 2014 - 2015 FOR HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGES PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.sacredartsoftibettour.org Table of Contents Gaden Shartse Monastic College Brief History of Buddhism in Tibet and the Effect of the Chinese Cultural Revolution Shartse Today History of Phukhang Purposes of the Tours Stage Performances Empowerments Healing Rituals Special Rituals Sand Mandala Lecture Topics School Prograns Monks' Biographies Suggested Donations Monks Bios Sacred Arts of Tibet Tour ••• (562)225-3072 ••• www.sacredartsoftibettour.org ~page 2~ GADEN SHARTSE MONASTIC COLLEGE Gaden Shartse Monastic College is situated amid lush green hills and jungle in the remote countryside of southern India. It was founded in 1969 as an effort to re-establish one of the great monastic traditions of Tibet. A small group of elder monks and fifteen young boys, all of whom had managed to escape the destruction in Tibet, settled on land given to them by the Indian government in Mundgod, Karnataka. Today the college is at the forefront of the revival of Tibetan Monastic education, with more than 1600 resident students, teachers, scholars, and spiritual practitioners. More than 70% of the members are between the ages of 10 and 25 and 80% of these were born in Tibet. To this day, young monks arrive at the Monastery weekly from Tibet, seeking shelter and education. Due to the success of the academic program and the quality of the teachers at the monastery, Gaden Shartse has established a reputation as being the leader in the field of Buddhist and Tibetan studies.
    [Show full text]
  • The Systematic Dynamics of Guru Yoga in Euro-North American Gelug-Pa Formations
    University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies The Vault: Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2012-09-13 The systematic dynamics of guru yoga in euro-north american gelug-pa formations Emory-Moore, Christopher Emory-Moore, C. (2012). The systematic dynamics of guru yoga in euro-north american gelug-pa formations (Unpublished master's thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. doi:10.11575/PRISM/28396 http://hdl.handle.net/11023/191 master thesis University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY The Systematic Dynamics of Guru Yoga in Euro-North American Gelug-pa Formations by Christopher Emory-Moore A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES CALGARY, ALBERTA SEPTEMBER, 2012 © Christopher Emory-Moore 2012 Abstract This thesis explores the adaptation of the Tibetan Buddhist guru/disciple relation by Euro-North American communities and argues that its praxis is that of a self-motivated disciple’s devotion to a perceptibly selfless guru. Chapter one provides a reception genealogy of the Tibetan guru/disciple relation in Western scholarship, followed by historical-anthropological descriptions of its practice reception in both Tibetan and Euro-North American formations.
    [Show full text]
  • Medicine Buddha Sand Mandala Tour & Empowerment
    buddhist Sacred Arts and ceremonies of bhutan Medicine buddha sand mandala tour & empowerment venue: 2 old english lane, Markham, ON WED SEPT 25 TO WED OCT 2, 2013 with Venerable Lama Karma Namgyel & Guests EVENT SCHEDULE: www.termafoundation.org SEPT 25-OCT 2 THE MAKING OF MEDICINE BUDDHA SAND MANDALA 10-5PM OPEN FOR PUBLIC VIEWING WED SEPT 25 OPENING TEA CEREMONY 5PM CONSECRATION & MEDICINE BUDDHA TALK 7:30PM THURS SEPT 26 TORMA AND TSA TSA MAKING 7PM FRI SEPT 27 SACRED ARTS OF BHUTAN WITH LAMA KARMA 7PM SAT SEPT 28 MEDICINE BUDDHA EMPOWERMENT 10AM MEDICINE BUDDHA FIRE CEREMONY 2PM POTLUCK FEAST 6PM SUN SEPT 29 VAJRASATTVA WATER PURIFICATION CEREMONY 10AM MEDICINE BUDDHA SADHANA & TEACHINGS 2PM CEREMONY: LAMA & DAKINI DANCES 7PM The Medicine Buddha Sand Mandala Tour ofers a unique window into the Sacred Arts and Buddhist Practices of MON SEPT 30 MAKING SACRED ART--THANGKAS & Bhutan, including the construction of the sand mandala, WEAVING 7PM fire and water ceremonies, traditional lama dances, and presentations on their cultural and spiritual arts. TUES OCT 1 BHUTAN’S GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS 7PM You can attend all or parts of the program. You will be invited at all events to ofer dana or a donation as a gesture of WED OCT 2 DISSOLUTION OF SAND MANDALA 7PM kindness and generosity to our guests and teachers who ofer their gifts freely, wishing only to enrich our lives. As an act of reciprocity, give generously. PROGRAM FEES: (Suggested) Full program: $200 Sat-Sun Only $100 Individual Events $20 While these teachings are shared without charge, program fees help support the center, which makes these teachings possible.
    [Show full text]
  • 2011, Volume 20, Number 1
    Winter 2011 Volume 20, Number 1 Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist Women TABLE OF CONTENTS Sharing Impressions, Meeting Expectations: Evaluating the 12th Sakyadhita Conference Titi Soentoro The Question of Lineage in Tibetan Buddhism: A Woman’s Perspective Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo Lipstick Buddhists and Dharma Divas: Buddhism in the Most Unlikely Packages Lisa J. Battaglia The Anti-Virus Enlightenment Hyunmi Cho Risks and Opportunities of Scholarly Engagement with Buddhism Christine Murphy SHARING IMPRESSIONS, MEETING EXPECTATIONS Evaluating the 12th Sakyadhita Conference Grace Schireson in Interview By Titi Soentoro Janice Tolman Full Ordination for Women and It was a great joy to be among such esteemed scholars, nuns, and laywomen at the 12th Sakyadhita the Fourfold Sangha International Conference on Buddhist Women held in Bangkok from June 12 to 18, 2011. It felt like such Santacitta Bhikkhuni an honor just to be in their company. This feeling was shared by all the participants. Around the general A SeeSaw theme, “Leading to Liberation, the conference addressed many issues of Buddhist women, including Wendy Lin issues that people don’t generally associate with Buddhist women, such as the environment and LGBTQ concerns. Sakyadhita in Cyberspace: Sakyadhita and the Social Media At the end of the conference, participants were asked to share their feelings and insights, and to Revolution offer suggestions for the next Sakyadhita Conference. The evaluations asked which aspects they enjoyed Charlotte B. Collins the most and the least, which panels and workshops they learned the most from, and for suggestions for themes and topics for the next Sakyadhita Conference in India. In many languages, participants shared A Tragic Episode Rebecca Paxton their reflections on all aspects of the conference Further Reading What Participants Appreciated Most Overall, respondents found the conference very interesting and enjoyable.
    [Show full text]
  • View Brochure Here
    About the Sacred Art Tour What is the Sacred Art Tour about? An important part of the mission for the Sacred Arts Tour is to bring awareness to the ongoing plight of Tibetans after 60 years of occupation. They are also here to raise donations to help support their way of life at the Monastery. They bring teachings of ancient ways and beliefs that do, even now, create the possibility of global peace, non-violent conflict resolution, compassion and wisdom. What is a sand mandala? Creation of a sand mandala is an ancient ritual that predates even Buddha. The Tibetans in particular have developed this tradition into a beautiful spiritual experience. Not so long ago this type of ceremony was done in complete secrecy at the Monasteries by only the holiest of monks. Mandalas constructed from sand are unique to Tibetan Buddhism and are believed to effect purification and healing. Typically, a great teacher chooses the specific mandala to be created. Monks then begin construction of the sand mandala by consecrating the site with sacred chants and music. Next, they make a detailed drawing from memory. Over a number of days, they fill in the design with millions of grains of colored sand. Why is the Mandala destroyed? Upon it’s completion the mandala is blessed in ceremony, and destroyed. The underlying message of the mandala ceremony is that nothing is permanent. All things are in flux, it says, beautiful but ephemeral, moving but temporary, a plateau but not a summit. All things are called to balance and enlightenment and the fulfillment of the Divine image in them, yes, but in flux.
    [Show full text]
  • The Inconceivable Lotus Land of Padma Samye Ling the Tsasum
    The Inconceivable Lotus Land of Padma Samye Ling The Tsasum Lingpa Wangchen Clear Garland Crystals of Fire A Brief Biography of the Great Tertön Tsasum Lingpa Magical Illusion Net: The Glorious Guhyagarbha Tantra Spring/Summer 2009 In This Issue Volume 8, Spring/Summer 2009 1 Letter from the Venerable Khenpo Rinpoches A Publication of 2 The Inconceivable Lotus Land of Padma Samye Ling Padmasambhava Buddhist Center Nyingma Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism 6 PSL Stupa Garden 7 The Tsasum Lingpa Wangchen Founding Directors Ven. Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche 9 A Brief Biography of the Great Tertön Tsasum Lingpa Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche 11 Clear Garland Crystals of Fire Ani Lorraine , Co-Editor 13 Magical Illusion Net: The Glorious Guhyagarbha Tantra Pema Dragpa , Co-Editor Andrew Cook , Assistant Editor 16 Schedule of Teachings Pema Tsultrim , Coordinator Medicine Buddha Revitalization Retreat: Beth Gongde , Copy Editor 18 Rejuvenate the Body, Refresh the Mind Michael Ray Nott , Art Director Sandy Mueller , Production Editor 19 PBC on YouTube PBC and Pema Mandala Office 20 A Commentary on Dudjom Rinpoche’s For subscriptions or contributions Mountain Retreat Instructions to the magazine, please contact: Glorifying the Mandala Padma Samye Ling 24 Attn: Pema Mandala 25 PSL Garden 618 Buddha Highway Sidney Center, NY 13839 26 2008 Year in Review (607) 865-8068 Kindly note: This magazine contains sacred images and should not be [email protected] disposed of in the trash. It should either be burned or shredded with the remainder going into clean recycling. Pema Mandala welcomes all contributions Cover: Gesar prayer flag flying at Padma Samye Ling submitted for consideration.
    [Show full text]
  • Explanation of the Venerable Losang Samten's Sand
    Explanation of the Venerable Losang Samten’s Sand Mandala for our IFPE Conference: Mandala (म赍डल ) is Sanskrit for ‘circle.’ As circular representations of spiritual truths, and positing a microcosm of the universe from an enlightened perspective they are intended to designate a sacred space, to help us reflect on the transient nature of life, and to impart peace and healing to all beings. IFPE is honored to announce that the The Venerable Lama Losang Samten, sent to the West by the Dalai Lama to create sand mandalas as a cultural offering. There are many mandalas, and Losang has chosen to create the “Kalachakra” mandala, referred to as "The Wheel of Time," to represent our conference theme of Transience and Permanence. Lama Losang will be creating the mandala throughout this year’s conference, in full view for all to see and watch his progress. And once completed, we are all invited to participate in the dismantling ceremony and join in sweeping away this work of beauty with our own hands -- a profound affirmation of the impermanence of all things. Each conference attendee is invited to take a small amount of the sand to pour into the nearby Delaware River adjacent to our hotel venue or to carry home and pour into a body of water near your own homes after you return. The Kalachakra Mandala is one of Tibetan Buddhism’s most beautiful and complex works of sacred art. It is a virtual floor plan for a multi-leveled palace, and each level with its own purpose to purify body, speech, mind, and consciousness.
    [Show full text]
  • The Mirror 48 February-March 1999
    THE MIRROR Newspaper of the International Dzogchen Community February/March 1999 • Issue No. 48 Not Just a Kind of CHÖGYAL NAMKHAI NORBU INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM Fantasy 1999-2000 ARGENTINA Tashigar r here is Tashigar? In Christmas Retreat at Tashigar Phowa, Green Tara and Teachings: April 2 - 6 the South. In the everything that was request­ WE PERU center and West of ed. Teachings: April 16-18 Argentina and among the With Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Each morning for two hills. The nearest town is a hours we listened to the firm VENEZUELA small village called Tanti. December 1998 - Januaiy 1999 voice of Namkhai Norbu Teachings: April 28 - May 2 From there we start climb­ Rinpoche giving the pre­ ITALY ing up a winding limestone cious teachings. After the Merigar Vesak: May 28 - 30 road and suddenly, in one lunch break, nobody wanted By Griselda Gàlmez Retreat of Dzogchen Upadesha: July 7-11 of the tight comers on the to miss the Three Vajras left, arises a verdant spot. Dance course given by RUSSIA It is the 'El Durazno' valley. From the road Nelida Saporiti and the beginner's Yantra Kunsangar we can see here and there some houses dot­ "The condition of a Yoga course taught by Marisa Alonso. Then Retreat of Dzogchen Longde: July 12-25 ting an area of greenery. Some time ago practitioner should be like the more experienced practitioners USA only one of them belonged to Tashigar, 'the milk poured in milk, or explained the practices and finally there New York City Teaching: July 30 - August 1 Buddhists', as the locals call us.
    [Show full text]