Seven Tibetan Buddhist monks from the Labrang Tashi Kyil Monastery in Dehra Dun, India, will be in Little Rock beginning Friday to share information about their culture and religion and to raise money for their monastery.
The events are hosted by Unitarian Universalist Church of Little Rock and are being made possible through a partnership with the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center in Bloomington, Ind.
Terry Bean, event coordinator and facilitator of the secularist Buddhist group at the church, said the Dalai Lama has asked Tibetan monks to visit the United States to share information about Buddhism and their monasteries, as well as their ministries to Tibetan refugees in India. The Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 after China invaded Tibet.
Events begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday with a Tibetan art talk and exhibit by Ruth Pasquine, an artist and art historian. She will present her interpretive paintings of Tibetan deities.
On Oct. 19, a reception with the monks will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by Dharma teaching at 7:30. Participants will learn about the Four Noble Truths, which serve as the foundation of Buddhist teaching, as well as compassion, taming of the mind, mantras and more.
Children are invited to participate in sand painting with the monks from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 20. A discussion on Tibetan refugees in India will be part of the church service at 11 a.m. and a Tibetan meal prepared by the monks will be served at 12:30 p.m.
The afternoon continues with a cultural program, Journey to Tibet, 2:30-4:30, followed by a vegetarian meal at 5. The program will include dancing, music and performances by the monks.
An open forum with the monks is at 7, an opportunity to ask the monks about Tibet, Buddhism and their lives in exile in India.
“It’s like being able to go to Tibet and ask people questions,” Bean said of the open forum.
On Oct. 21, the monks will provide personal consultations at 9:30 a.m. and a Buddhist meeting with meditation practice will be at 6:30 p.m.
All events will be at the church, 1818 Reservoir Road. Events are free but donations are welcome. Reservations are requested for meals and can be made online at uuclr. org or by calling (501) 225-1503.
Religion, Pages 13 on 10/12/2013