TASHI LHUNPO MONKS AT

THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE 2010

Far from being a silent, meditative world, the Tibetan monastery is filled with the chanting of Buddhist texts, the recitation of mantras, the ringing of bells, the clash of cymbals, the booming of the great long horns and the beating of drums.  Eight Tibetan monks from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in India, offer a dramatic presentation of their unique sacred dances, music and prayers, with colourful traditional costumes and ceremonial masks. 

Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, founded by the first Dalai Lama in the 15^th Century, and the seat of the Panchen Lama (one of the youngest political prisoners in the world), is one of the most important monasteries in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.  Now re-established in exile in South India, the monastery is once again becoming one of the major centres of learning, best known for its artistic tradition of masked dances and sacred music.  The performances offer a rare opportunity to witness a unique and endangered culture.

“…a window of time onto a magical universe of reincarnation and release…” 

The Independent

“…majestic and atmospheric…”  Songlines

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Venue:  Quaker Meeting House, Venue 40

Dates:  August 9-14, 16-21, 23-28   Time 4.30pm (1 hour)

            August 23-28                        Time 11.30am (1 hour)

Tickets from Venue Box Office 0131 220 6109 from 9th August and from The Fringe Box Office.

Festival of Spirituality and Peace

Venue: St John’s Church, Venue 127          

Dates:  August 15 and 22                       Time:   4pm (1h 15m)

Watch out for the monks in the Festival Cavalcade and in the opening performance of the Festival of Spirituality and Peace on Sunday 8th August.

WORKSHOPS AND EXHIBITIONS

Festival of Spirituality and Peace

Sand Mandala Exhibition

Monks from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery represent Tibet’s tradition of Tantric Buddhism in the making of a sand mandala.  The Mandala illustrates the celestial mansion of the deities, showing the paths of a particular cycle of practices.  Millions of grains of coloured sand are painstakingly laid into place in an intricate design using hollow metal tubes called chagpurs.  Beginning with the prayer of dedication, through the meditation of the construction, to its completion, when the Mandala is dismantled in a moving ceremony symbolizing the impermanence of all things.

Venue: The Chapel, St John’s Church (Venue 127)

Time: 9 am – 3pm

Dates: 9-14(?15) August

Entrance Free - Donations please

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Tibetan Monastic Art Workshops

Tibetan monks share their knowledge of monastic arts: try sand mandala making, butter sculpture, prayer flag printing and learn some Tibetan language.

Venue:   Quaker Meeting House (Venue 40)   Time: 9.30-11.00   Dates: 16-21 August

Tickets:  £5.00 from Venue Box Office 0131 220 6109 from 9th August

Performance Workshops

A background to the performance, the costumes and the monks’ life in their Buddhist monastery.  Learn some of the graceful and gestures or mudras used in a Tantric prayer, and an explanation of the unique art of dialectical debate.

Venue:   Quaker Meeting House (Venue 40)  Time: 9.30-10.30    Dates:  23-28 August

Tickets:  £5.00 from Venue Box Office 0131 220 6109 from 9th August