The Mystical Arts of Tibet
March 17, 2019 to March 24, 2019
The Paine and The Grand Oshkosh have partnered to bring Tibetan lamas to Oshkosh for a week-long visit. The lamas are practicing Buddhist monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery, which is currently located in south India and was first established near Lhasa Tibet in 1416. From March 17-24, the monks will share their ancient artistic practices with the community by creating a sand painting at the Paine and giving a performance of music and dance at the Grand.
The sand painting will begin Sunday, March 17 with an opening ceremony in the Paine’s Conservatory, where the monks will consecrate the site with chants and music. Then, they will draw an elaborate line design for a sacred mandala. Throughout the week, the monks will meticulously create the mandala with millions of grains of colorful sand.
During a closing ceremony on Sunday, March 24, the monks will consecrate the finished mandala with chants, music and mantra recitation before sweeping up the sand, a representation of the impermanence of all that exists. Some sand will be distributed to the audience for blessings of personal health and well-being.
In addition to the monk’s performance at The Grand on Saturday, March 23, the week will include lectures and educational programs on topics such as meditation and kindness as well as a community art project of creating Tibetan prayer flags.
The Mystical Arts of Tibet is a Richard Gere & Drepung Losling Production. The lead sponsor of the presentation in Oshkosh is Community First Credit Union.
Schedule of Activities
Sunday, March 17
1:30 pm – Interfaith Welcome
2:00 pm – Opening Ceremony
2:30-5:30 pm – Drawing of the Lines
Monday, March 18
6:45-7:30 am – Morning Meditation
11:00 am-5:00 pm – Sand Painting
12:00 pm – Gallery Talk: "A Closer Look at Phil Borges's Tibetan Portrait"
Tuesday, March 19
6:45-7:30 am – Morning Meditation
11:00 am-5:00 pm – Sand Painting
12:00 pm – Lecture: "Tibetan Buddhism as Religion and Philosophy"
3:00 pm – Lecture: “A Buddhist Approach to Working with the Emotions”
Wednesday, March 20
6:45-7:30 am – Morning Meditation
10:00 am-6:00 pm – Sand Painting
12:00 – Lecture: “The Ancient Art of Healing: The Tibetan Buddhist Approach”
6:00 pm – Lecture: "No Self, Karma, and Rebirth"
Thursday, March 21
6:45-7:30 am – Morning Meditation
10:00 am-6:00 pm – Sand Painting
12:00 pm – Lecture: “Opening the Heart: Arousing the Mind of Universal Kindness”
3:00 pm – Lecture: "Protection and Attraction: The Tibetan Buddhist Sand Mandala"
6:00 pm – Lecture: "Taming Demons: the Construction of Tibetan Buddhist Spaces"
Friday, March 22
6:45-7:30 am – Morning Meditation
10:00 am-6:00 pm – Sand Painting
12:00 – Lecture: “From Confusion to Enlightenment: Steps in Inner Evolution”
3:00 pm – Lecture: "Two Wings of a Bird: Wisdom and Compassion"
Saturday, March 23
6:45-7:30 am – Morning Meditation
9:00 am-2:00 pm – Sand Painting
10:30 am – Lecture: “Meditation for Focus and Stress Relief”
2:00 pm – Interfaith Reflections
7:30 pm – Sacred Music, Sacred Dance Performance at The Grand Oshkosh
Sunday, March 24
6:45-7:30 am – Morning Meditation
9:00 am-2:00 pm – Sand Painting
10:30 am – Lecture: “Death and Dying: The Tibetan Tradition”
2:00 pm – Closing Ceremony
Mandala Sand Painting
Come and watch the monks create the sand mandala. The process begins and ends with special ceremonies, and the community is invited to attend these rituals. The monks will first draw the lines of the mandala, and then, each day they will work on painting it with colorful sand. Visitors can see them work during the hours listed in the schedule.
Tibetan Portrait: The Power of Compassion
Mystical Arts of Tibet is accompanied by the Paine's exhibition, Tibetan Portrait: The Power of Compassion, on view in the Mansion. This exhibition features portraits and stories of Tibetan individuals—from nomads of the remote Himalayas to the Dalai Lama, leader of Tibetan Buddhism.
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Admission
$10 Adult, $5 Youth (ages 5-17)
Free for Members
Free for children 4 and under
Admission includes viewing the sand painting and photography exhibition, as well as participating in related programs.
Admission on Monday, March 18 is free, courtesy of Community First Credit Union.
Membership
Paine Members receive free admission to the sand painting, photography exhibition, and related programs. Members also receive free admission and discounts for a year of exhibitions and offerings at the Paine.
Become a Member >
Programs
The Paine offers programs for the community to engage more deeply with the visit of the Tibetan monks. Programs are held at the Paine and included with admission (free for Members).
Morning Meditation
Offered for beginners and practitioners, daily guided meditation will be held around the unfolding sand painting in the Conservatory. Led by Taizan Alford, participants will explore the basics of sitting meditation.
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Lectures
Tibetan monks will give lectures on meditation, kindness, healing, death and other topics. Michael Baltutis, UWO religion professor, and Constance Kassor, Lawrence University religion professor, will speak about Tibetan Buddhism, sand mandalas, and related topics.
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Interfaith
Local faith leaders will share words of welcome to the monks. The community is invited to attend this special greeting in the Conservatory immediately before the monk’s Opening Ceremony for the mandala. Community members are also invited to share their faith reflections with one another in a facilitated discussion on Saturday afternoon in the Carriage House.
Art making
Throughout the week, visitors will be invited to make prayer flags and artworks inspired by Tibetan culture. The activities will be offered in the Studio in the Paine Mansion.
Sacred Music, Sacred Dance for World Healing Performance
Tibetan monks will perform Sacred Music, Sacred Dance for World Healing at The Grand Oshkosh on Saturday, March 23. The performance combines multi-phonic chanting, music, and dance with colorful, intricate costumes. Tickets may be purchased through The Grand Oshkosh.
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