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 The tour will include building sacred sand mandalas, traditional Tibetan monk dances, chanting and debate, a variety of workshops for people of all ages and abilities – including Tibetan butter sculpture and Buddhist prayer writing, Dharma talks for those interested in learning about Tibetan Buddhism and an educational slideshow featuring images of the Monastery.
The proceeds from the tour will go to support the monks at Thupten Lungtogling Monastery.
While in Canada the monks hope to visit educational institutions, local businesses, libraries, medical facilities, service organizations, city government affiliates and programs, churches, synagogues, mosques, and other organizations interested in hosting these community events. They are particularly interested in participating in community events involving children, the elderly, refugees, and other groups or individuals who would not normally have access to this kind of program.
Feel free to pick and choose which items you would like to present in your area. We are very happy and grateful to be able to share the Tibetan Buddhist experience with you and to give you and your organization a glimpse of this beautiful culture.
Please note that all donations listed are suggestions only. Anyone, anywhere is always welcome to participate, regardless of whether or not they can afford a donation. Also, for coordinators, you may suggest other donation amounts according to your own discretion. It is our hope however, that those who can afford to contribute will do so, so that we can continue supporting the food and medical needs of the monks living at Thupten Lungtogling Monastery. All proceeds raised from this tour will support food and medical supplies and the other needs at the Monastery. Whatever you are able to contribute is deeply appreciated.
Sand Mandala
The most important aspect of each exhibit will be creation of a traditional Sand Mandala – an ancient art form of Tibetan Buddhism.
Mandalas are drawings in sand of the world in its divine form and represent a map by which the ordinary human mind is transformed into the enlightened mind. The creation of Sand Mandalas takes place over four to seven days, beginning with special prayers and chanting ceremonies. They work all day placing sand practically grain by grain as they create these incredibly rare forms of art and faith.
 Upon completion of the Mandala the monks hold a dismantling ceremony whereby the Mandala is blessed a final time and the grains of sand are swept up into a pile – erasing the once beautiful work of art. Some of the sand is given to people present, as a small blessing for their home or gardens, and the remainder is taken to a nearby body of water where it is poured into the moving water which carries the prayers and blessings throughout the earth.
| Event | Sample Schedule | Donation Suggestion Per Person |
| 5-Day Mandala | 8 hours daily work on sand mandala; 30 minute daily puja | $ |
| 7-Day Mandala | 8 hours daily work on sand mandala; 30 minute daily puja | $ |
Sacred Dances & Performances
As in most deeply religious cultures, Tibetan arts are inseparable from spiritual observance. All elements – music, dance, costume, chanting, and blessings – are intended to renew the links between the people and the divine.
Ritual performances of sacred music and dance were regularly held at monasteries throughout Tibet to celebrate spiritual festivals. People from the surrounding villages and nomadic tribes would assemble in the monastery's courtyard for three or four days of sacred music and dance.
 The touring monks can perform a full program of up to two hours, including intermission. A performance may include several of the following:
- Dances may include the Black Hat Dance, Dakini Dance, Yak Dance and others. Some of these dances are held to eliminate negative energies, to remind us of the impermanence of things, or for social or environmental healing.
- Singing, chanting and blessings, such as Incense Offering and Song for World Peace.
- Demonstration of a monastic debate.
- Short talk about Buddhist Dharma.
- Ceremony for good luck.
- Questions and Answers.
| Event | Sample Schedule | Donation Suggestion Per Person |
| Performance with four or five monks | Two-hour show | $ |
Pujas
"Puja" is a Sanskrit word that means worship. The monks chant prayers and perform rituals to fit specific occasions. Prayers are addressed to Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, or specific deities. Their purpose is to overcome any obstacles to obtaining release from suffering and to promote spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical well-being. Pujas may be performed for a house blessing, the evolution of the soul of a friend, relative or animal who has passed on, for clearing karma, purification of local negative energy, world peace, individual or global healing, financial security, spiritual evolution, or the development of wisdom.
 The prayers are recited in the traditional overtone chanting, each monk singing a full chord of three notes. The prayers are often accompanied by delicate hand gestures, cymbals, drums, horn and flutes. Available pujas include:
- World Peace and Healing
- Purification
- House or Business Blessing
- Remove Negativities and Obstacles
- Tara and Guru Puja
- Tea Puja
- Fire Puja
| Event | Sample Schedule | Donation Suggestion Per Person |
| 3-4 Monks Puja | 1 hour puja | $200 |
Teachings
The tour group is led by a Geshe, a monk who has achieved the equivalent of a PhD and is considered a Master Buddhist Teacher. The Geshe will be available to give talks on Buddhist philosophy and will be happy to answer questions about the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. The Geshe teaches in Tibetan and a translator who travels with the monks will translate to English. Some of the teachings that the Geshe may give include:
- Introduction to Buddhism
- Basic meditation practice
- The Four Noble Truths
- Karma
- Impermanence
- Elements of traditional Lamrim Practice
- Elements of Lojong (Mind Training)
| Event | Sample Schedule | Donation Suggestion Per Person |
| Teaching by the Geshe | 1.5 hours with Questions | $20 |
Butter Sculpture, Prayer Writing Workshops
Hands-on workshops for all ages. Work one on one with monks to learn how to make rare Buddhist art forms.
The monks are happy to do workshops specifically for children or the elderly.
| Event | Sample Schedule | Donation Suggestion Per Person |
| Prayer Writing | 1 hour workshop | $15 / $5 children |
| Butter Sculpture | 1 hour hands-on activities | $25 / $10 children |
The purposes of the Sacred Art Tour
- the monks sincerely wish to communicate a message of peace, wisdom, and compassion to heal our anxious minds in these troubled times
- the monks are eager to introduce the arts and culture of Tibet to North America
- the monastery wishes to generate funds for the food and medical supplies that are necessary to support the refugee monks of the monastery
About Thupten Lungtogling Monastery
 Thupten Lungtogling Monastery nestled in the beautiful Himalayan mountains, is one of the oldest monasteries situated in the village of Jang Kharsa of Arunachal Pradesh in the North East of India. Thupten Lungtogling Monastery is under the spiritual guidance of Venerable Dagpo Ding Gung Rinpoche.
This monastery formerly known as "Shuwehteng Gonpa"is actually a small Gonpa (Temple) and is about 1500 years old. It is believed that this monastery belonged to the people of Kharsa who earlier on came from a village called "Yulser" consisting of only three or four houses. After a few years the Gonpa was relocated to a place called "Bongzongtse" and was run by a Buddhist monk and a few nuns. Later on the village Yulser was shifted and spread into three villages known as Thulungngags, Toleng and Kharsa.
After a few years the Gonpa went into decline, monks died and only a caretaker was left to look after it. Thereafter the Gonpa was shifted to a place called Nyomsa, a village that consisted of 6-7 houses which came to be known as Nyomsa Gonpa until recently. It is said that a Bhikshu from Dagpo monastery in southern Tibet who was ready to receive his Geshe degree asked his teacher for advice regarding the Geshe ceremony. His Teacher suggested that he visit Mon-Yul and prophesised that he would be offered a Gonpa there and would get some sponsors for his Geshe ceremony. So the Bhikshu went to Mon-Yul where he met with Lekey Sangey, the head of the village, and told him the reason for his visit. His Teacher's prophesy came true. He was indeed offered the Gonpa at Mon-Yul. During his stay there, Lekey Sangey and the people of the village facilitated him and the Gonpa. This Bhikshu was later known as Dagpo Gelong who re-introduced the Buddha Dharma there.
In 2008, His Holiness the Dalai Lama appointed Guru Tulku Rinpoche of Dagpo Shedrupling Monastery, the reincarnation of Merak Lama as the Abbot of Tawang Monastery that was founded by Merak Lama Lodoe Gyatso. Venerable Dagpo Ding Gung Rinpoche, Venerable Dagpo Lochen Rinpoche, Drepung Umze (Chanting Master) Ven. Dagpo Geshe Lobsang Tashi and the Administrators of Dagpo Shedrupling Monastery attended the celebration of the enthronement ceremony at Tawang Monastery.
Ven. Dagpo Ding Gung Rinpoche had visited Mon-Yul a few times during which the people of Jang Kharsa had received his blessings on these occasions. He also performed offerings to White Tara a couple of times. As Nyomsa Gonpa was once taken care of Dagpo Gelong, and most of the young monks from this village study at Dagpo Shedrupling Monastery, the people of Kharsa decided to offer the Gonpa to Dagpo Ding Gung Rinpoche with the sole purpose of re-introducing the Buddha Dharma in this area. Rinpoche not only accepted it but took the intitiative to repair and restore the Gonpa in order to preserve its rich, old culture and its relics.
In the following year 2009, Rinpoche had the opportunity to receive blessings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He spoke to His Holiness of the offer of the Gonpa by the Mon people and requested His Holiness' advice regarding the future of this Gonpa. His Holiness was very pleased to hear this and told Rinpoche that he must introduce the Buddha Dharma there. His Holiness also advised Rinpoche to organise the Nyungney practice (the vow of subsisting on very little food) every year. His Holiness also said to distribute Bodhi text books and convince children to study which is very important. He went on to say that providing all sorts of education to children is a priority. Rinpoche then requested His Holiness to re-name the Gonpa. His Holiness became quiet for a little while and after a few minutes of prayer gave the name THUPTEN LUNGTOGLING MONASTERY. The meeting ended with His Holiness asking Rinpoche to stay in touch regarding this monastery.
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