Tibetan Buddhist Monks Return to Create Sand Mandala Painting, Perform Sacred Music and Dance
Photo by Ben Doyle.
Photo by Ben Doyle.
Photo by Ben Doyle.
Photo by Ben Doyle.
Photo by Ben Doyle.
Photo by Ben Doyle.
Photo by Ben Doyle.
Photo by Ben Doyle.
Photo by Ben Doyle.
Photo by Ben Doyle.
HOUSTON, August 20, 2018 — For the fourth consecutive year, Tibetan Buddhist monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery in southern India returned to Asia Society Texas Center to create a mandala sand painting and perform Sacred Music Sacred Dance for World Healing.
Over four days, the monks meticulously laid millions of grains of crushed marble sand to construct a Green Tara (Prosperity and Accomplishment) mandala in Asia Society's Edward Rudge Allen III Education Center, with opening and closing ceremonies. Visitors created hundreds of Lung ta ("Wind horse") prayer flags that were displayed in the Education Center and, on Saturday, built a community mandala sand painting as the monks continued their work. At the conclusion of the closing ceremony Sunday, the mandala sand painting was swept away, symbolizing the impermanence of all things. Also on Sunday, the monks performed Sacred Music Sacred Dance at two program times, including a new, shorter afternoon matinee, which featured multiphonic singing, traditional instruments, ornate costumes, and lively philosophical debate.
Previous mandala sand paintings created at Asia Society Texas Center included a White Tara (Buddha for Longevity) mandala in 2017, Manjushri (Bodhisattva of Wisdom) mandala in 2016, and a Akshobhya (the Unshakable Victor for Conflict Resolution and Peace) mandala in 2015.
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Related Links
Tibetan Buddhist monks dismantle a mandala at Asia Society Texas Center Sunday. Houston Chronicle. August 19, 2018.
Sand Mandala Painting Returns to Houston this Week. Glasstire. August 14, 2018.
Music, Art and Monks at The Asia Society. Local Houston. August 2018.
5 Things You Must Do This Weekend, Aug. 17-19. Houstonia. August 16, 2018.
About Asia Society Texas Center
With 13 locations throughout the world, Asia Society is the leading educational organization promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among the peoples, leaders, and institutions of Asia and the West. Asia Society Texas Center executes the global mission with a local focus, enriching and engaging the vast diversity of Houston through innovative, relevant programs in arts and culture, business and policy, education, and community outreach.