September 15 – October 4th, 2015
The Rime Buddhist Center is once gain honored to host the Drepung Gomang Sacred Art Tour. This tour shares the compassion and wisdom of Tibetan Buddhist culture throughout the country. The Monks will be in Kansas City, September 15 through October 4. Events planned include a Sand Mandala creation, cooking classes, cultural performances, in addition to Pujas and Dharma Teachings at the Rime Center. Please visit the KC tour Facebook page for event details, Drepung Gomang Tour – Kansas City.
Refugee-made goods, including jewelry, clothing, and artwork, as well as traditional Tibetan items such as singing bowls, will be available for purchase at all events. Tour proceeds assist the Drepung Gomang Monastery in South India, which strives to house, feed, and educate any monk wishing to study at this center of higher learning, including orphans and refugees fleeing Chinese-occupied Tibet.
Event Schedule
Thursday, September 17
7:30 – 9:00 p.m. Fire Puja at Aquarius Books
A fire puja is an offering of a large number of specific substances tossed into a fire during an elaborate ritual. The fire puja burns off or purifies obstacles and bonds us more closely with the Buddha.
The Fire Puja is very powerful and has many benefits.the A fire puja ceremony is said to fulfill wishes, remove obstacles, improve health, and increases merits. For Buddhist practitioners, it helps the practitioner gain accomplishments on the path, stabilize one’s meditation concentration and improve one’s spiritual practice. For the deceased, the ceremony is an excellent method of purifying negative karma and attaining higher rebirth.
Suggested donation $5-$20 All donations go directly to Drepung Gomang Monastery for the benefit of the 2000+ monks in their care. Please be generous if you can.
Come early and bring your own chairs
Thank you Barbara, for supporting the monastery and sponsoring this wonderful event for so many years!
Friday, September 18
6:30 p.m – 10:00 p.m. Drepung Gomang Monks at UnicornTheatre
The monks will be demonstrating sand mandala construction and will perform opening prayers prior to the 8:00pm performance of “The Oldest Boy” Synopsis below.
When Tibetan monks believe they’ve found the reincarnation of a high Buddhist Lama as a young American boy, his parents must decide whether to hold tight to their son or send him to India for a life of spiritual training. In this richly emotional journey filled with humor and compassion (featuring the imaginative puppetry of Paul Mesner), a family must make one life-altering choice. for more information on the play or to purchase tickets for this special perfomance: Unicorn Theatre
Sunday, September 13
6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Celebrate His Holiness The Dalai Lama’s Birthday with the Monks
This family friendly event will include Butter Sculpture, Interactive Sand Mandala Demonstrations, and Coloring the Eight Tibetan Buddhist Symbols.
This event is a pot luck, so bring your favorite dishes to share. There will also be Monk made Veggie & Meat Momos available for purchase. Momos are delicious Tibetan Dumplings. Momos are 1$/each or $5/Six momos. Of course birthday cake & ice cream! The Monks will chant, and there may even be an appearance by a snow lion or panda!
Come welcome the Monks to KC & celebrate the Dalai Lama’s Birthday!
Sunday, September 20
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Long Life Puja for His Holiness The Dalai Lama
Come join a Long Life Puja for His Holiness The Dalai Lama, performed by the Drepung Gomang Monks
Sunday, September 29 – Oct 3rd
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tara Sand Mandala at Unity Temple on the Plaza
Drepung Gomang Monks create an intricate sand mandala
Opening Mandala Ceremony
Tuesday 9/29 10:00 a.m.
Daily Mandala Construction
Open to the Public. Chanting at the beginning and end of each day
Tuesday 9/29 and Wednesday 9/30 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
LATE HOURS Thursday 10/1 and Friday 10/2 11:30 a.m – 8:00 p.m.
Closing Mandala Ceremony
Saturday 10/3 Doors open at 9:00 a.m., Closing Ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m.