You may find detailed information about the 2008 tour by going to its web pages at www.gomang.org/2008tour.html. Please contact Sue Simone (sue-1@hotmail.com) if you wish the tour group to come to your area.

Successful 2006-07 Sacred Art Tour Returns to the Monastery

2006-07 Sacred Art Tour Group

The 2007 Sacred Art Tour, led by Geshe Lobzang Samten, begin in November 2006 in Louisville. For 7 months, the group traveled throughout the USA and Canada presenting its programs in the Northeast, Middle Atlantic States, Florida, and the Midwest.In June, the monks went to Canada. The Canadian Friends of Drepung Gomang Monastery, led by Laurel Annti, was their host. In September, they returned to the US to give more programs in New England and Philadelphia. In October, they went to Bloomington, Indiana to help the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center prepare for the visit of the Dalai Lama of Tibet to the center. His Holiness was in Bloomington from October 23 to 28. The Sacred Art Tour worked hard with others in making the final preparations for the visit. The group returned to India on November 7, 2007. The Monastery wishes to thank all who helped make this tour a wonderful success. The monks presented touched many lives as they displayed the Sacred Arts of Tibet, gave teachings, offer hands-on workshops to the public, presented a slide show of Tibet and their monastery, and performed their popular cultural Pageant.

Creating a Sand Mandala at the Manderin Oriental Hotel, Key Biscayne, Miami

 

During His Holiness the Dalai Lama's visit to the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center, monks from Gomang monastery had a small reunion. Geshe Sangye, Ngawang Gyatso, and Ngawang Tashi from Drepung Gomang Institute in Louisville came to visit the center where the 8 monks of the Sacred Art Tour had been staying since the conclusion of their tour (Geshe Lobzang Samdup, Tenpa Dawa, Jampa Tenzin, Lobsang Dawa, Yeshi Palden, Norbu Gyaltsen, Tenzin Gyatso, and Yeshi Lochoe). Recently arrived from Gomang are the TMBCC's new resident monks Gyikme, Kalsang Lhasung, and Damchoe Chopel. Also living at the center is Geshe Lotin--another Gomang monk who came to serve as the center's Spiritual Teacher in 2003.

All of these monks posed for a photo with Gomang's Abbot, Khen Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Samten and his attendant, Ngawang Kuntak. In the photo below are also TMBCC's Director, Arjia Rinpoche with his attendant Chunpay, as well as three monks from Tashi Choiling in Mongolia.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

His Holiness is scheduled to visit this settlement on January first week 2008 for the inauguration ceremony of Temple hall of Drepung Loseling Monastery, His Holiness will be also giving religious teachings to mark this auspicious occasion. Therefore, we request all the kind sponsors and friends of Drepung Gomang Monastery to please inform Drepung Gomang Monastic Administrative office (gomangoffice@yahoo.com if they are attending the teaching in January 2008.

Rules laid down by the Indian Government state that all foreigners visiting this refugee settlement must apply for Protected Area Permit (PAP) from Indian Government. It takes at least four months for the permit to get approved.

For further information, please do contact us at gomangoffice@yahoo.com or visit www.gomang.org/travel.html

Each summer the monks at Drepung Monastery go on a one and half "summer rain retreat." This tradition stems back from the time of the Buddha himself. Yarney (the "Summer Promises") is a time for monks to reflect and meditate on their vows. During this time, the monks are not allowed to leave the monastery, apart from instances of necessity. They may not cut grass as this kills thousands of tiny insects. This practice began in Tibet since there in the summer months many bugs appeared as opposed to the cold winter months. Here in tropical south India, there is, of course, no shortage of insects year round, but the custom continues. Originally in Tibet, Yarney lasted for three months, but this was later changed to the present month and a half.

the first day, the monks make prostrations to one of the senior monks, vowing to abide by the Yarney promises for the 45 days. (Special allowances are made for illness or important work.)

At the end of the Summer Rain Retreat is Gaiea , the "Monks' Festival," which is, in a sense, a flinging open of the doors again, allowing the momks their freedom after the restriction of Yarney. During Gaiea. they are allowed play games and watch moves--forbidden for the rest of the year, with the exception of Losar (Tibetan New Year). this year the discipline master generously issued a one-week holiday where monks cleaned their rooms and the surroundings. They also played games and watched movies-- not usually allowed. Everyone enjoyed it very much, despite the rain visiting them now and then.

Many monks continue to flle to India, walking days and nights to pursue genuine monastic studies and get blessingsfrom His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This year from January until now, 123 news monks from tibet, Ladakh, Mongolia, and rusia have come to Gomang. The monastery is doing everything to provide proper care and education to everyone. Donations from sponsors are greatly needed to help Gomang carry on its good work.