Vancouverites will have the opportunity to learn more about
Tibetan Buddhist music, meditation and spiritual practices
when a group of monks, including the Dalai Lama’s personal
translator, makes a rare visit to UBC next week.
Introduced to North American audiences by Grateful Dead percussionist
Mickey Hart, the Gyuto monks are renowned for their deep harmonic
chanting which can be heard on the soundtracks of the feature
films Kundun and Seven Years in Tibet.
The monks, from the Gyuto Tantric University and Monastery,
will spend a week on UBC’s Point Grey campus beginning April
8. Several public lectures and demonstrations are planned
including the creation and destruction of a sand mandala in
the lobby of the C.K. Choi Bldg., meditation sessions, and
seminars on the monks’ history, religious practices, and unique
musical techniques.
Joining the monks on campus will be the Dalai Lama’s personal
translator, Ven Lhakdor. He will speak on the topic of "Spirituality
and Diplomacy: Tibet and the World" at a public lecture
on April 11.
The monks’ weeklong stay culminates with a musical performance
at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts on the evening
of April 12.
The Gyuto Tantric University was founded in 1474 in Lhasa,
Tibet by a disciple of the first Dalai Lama. The Gyuto monks
were among those who accompanied the present Dalai Lama when
he fled Tibet in 1959. The monks re-established their monastery
in northern India, and now embark on international tours to
raise money and share their spiritual practices and ancient
culture.
The full schedule of the monks’ public engagements at UBC
follows. It can also be found on the Institute of Asian Research
Web site at www.iar.ubc.ca
or call (604) 822-2746. Tickets for the Chan Centre concert
are available at the Chan Ticket Office or through Ticketmaster
at 604-280-3311 or www.ticketmaster.com.
Gyuto Monks at UBC
All sessions and events will be held at the C.K. Choi Bldg.,
1855 West Mall, unless otherwise noted.
Monday April 8
9 a.m. – 12 noon: Information seminar on Gyuto Monks background,
history. Monks work on sand mandala. Donations accepted.
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Monks continue with sand mandala.
Information provided to public. Donations accepted.
Tuesday April 9
9:00 a.m.: Chant/musical demonstration.
9:30 a.m.: Lecture on symbology of music and instruments.
1:30 p.m.: Lecture on musical structure
Wednesday April 10
9:00 a.m.- 10:00 a.m.: Meditation at UBC First Nations House
of Learning, 1985 West Mall.
10:30am – 12 noon: Information seminar on Gyuto Monks and
work on sand mandala. Donations accepted.
Thursday April 11
9 a.m.- 12 noon: Information seminar on Gyuto Monks and work
on sand mandala. Donations accepted.
7:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.: Lecture by Ven Lhakdor on "Spirituality
and Diplomacy: Tibet and the World" at First Nations
House of Learning. Monks in attendance.
Friday April 12
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon: Completion and destruction of sand
mandala.
8:00 p.m.: Performance at Chan Centre.
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