2026 Tour - Power of Peace

Location
Bradgate Road, Bedford MK40 3DE

What’s Happening

Thursday 2nd July and Friday 3rd July  7.30pm

‘THE EPIC OF EVEREST’ – The Official Record of Mallory and Irvine’s 1924 Expedition.  A film by Captain John Noel, with live Prologue by the monks of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery.

A little over one hundred years ago Buddhist monks from Tibet toured the UK for the first time, performing at screenings of Captain John Noel’s film The Epic of Everest documenting the unsuccessful summit attempt of 1924 which led to the tragic death of climbers Mallory and Irvine.  The monks’ visit to the UK was arranged by the filmmaker without the permission of the Tibetan authorities and provoked the wrath of the 13th Dalai Lama as well as public outrage at what was perceived as a performance by ‘devil dancers’ on the London stage.  The resulting scandal, known as ‘The Affair of the Dancing Lamas’ brought to an untimely end any further exploration of Everest by the British for almost a decade.

In this special screening of the film, the monks from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery revive the original prologue with live music and chanting, evoking the atmosphere of sacred Tibet, and end with a dedication for those who sadly lost their lives on the mountain in 1924.

Further Information

Friday 3rd July 11am and 4 pm.

WORKSHOP Join the Tashi Lhunpo monks to try some of the arts of the Tibetan monastery.  Print a prayer flag, try butter sculpture, have a go at using the chagpur – the tool the monks use on the mandala construction.  And make yourself a Dukar Wheel – containing the protective mantra of Dukar, the White Umbrella.    Further Information

Location
Frome Masonic Hall, North Parade, Frome BA11 1AU.

FULL PROGRAMME IN FROME MASONIC HALL

Frome Festival 2026

What’s Happening

SUNDAY 5TH JULY

FULL MANDALA PROGRAMME

1100-1120.   PEACE MANDALA DEDICATION CEREMONY   Donations Welcome.

See the beginning of the Peace Mandala which will be made throughout the three days of the monks residency.  The monks dedicate the space and begin the intricate design of the mandala using millions of grains of coloured sand.

Sand mandala construction continues all day.

1130-1300.   MONGOLIAN OVERTONE VOICING WORKSHOP     Tickets £15.  Further details

Discover the magical sound of Khoomii.  Open to anyone who wishes to explore the harmonic nature of their voice.  Led by Michael Ormiston and Candida Valentino, both experienced teachers and performers.  Listen to your own overtones as you discover the unknown depths and heights of your voice.  Sound Transformations information

1430-1530.   TIBETAN WORKSHOP WITH THE TASHI LHUNPO MONKS   Tickets £15 Further Information

A chance to meet the Tashi Lhunpo Monks and to try the arts of a Tibetan monastery.  Try prayer flag printing, butter sculpture, using the chagpurs for sand mandala making and make a dukar wheel, which can be blessed by the monks at the end of the workshop.  All children must be accompanied by an adult.

1900-2130.    ‘THE EPIC OF EVEREST’.   FILM SCREENING WITH A LIVE PROLOGUE BY THE TASHI LHUNPO MONKS

Tickets £15 Further Information

This extraordinary film documents the ill-fated attempt at the summit of Everest by George Mallory and Sandy Irvine in 1924.  From December 1924 to October 1925, Captain John Noel promoted his film throughout the UK and around Europe accompanied by Tibetan monks brought to the West for the first time.  They offered a Prologue to the screenings, evoking the atmosphere of Tibet for audiences, and this evening’s screening recreates the original performance offered by the monks.

MONDAY 6TH JULY

Sand Mandala construction continues all day.

0900-0930.    PRAYERS FOR THE DALAI LAMA’S 91ST BIRTHDAY  Further Information

Celebrate with the monks as they mark His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s 91st birthday with special prayers.

1000-1100     Hall will be closed to the public for a school visit.

1130-1300.   TIBETAN / HIMALAYAN SINGING BOWL WORKSHOP  Tickets £15 Further Information

Discover the meditational and therapeutic power of these amazing instruments.  Michael Ormiston and Candida Valentino have been teachers, performers and therapeutic sound practitioners for over 30 years.  Receive a singing bowl sound meditation and learn the basic principles of playing.  Bowls will be provided – but bring your own if you wish.  Sound Transformations information

1500-1700.    STORIES OF THE DALAI LAMA with ALISON MURDOCH  Donations Welcome Further Information

Born in Tibet on 6th July 1935, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been a teenage head of state, refugee, world religious leader and Nobel laureate.  Alison Murdoch, Founder of The Good Heart, will share stories from his life.

Stay for a blessing from the Monks from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery and birthday cake!

1930-2130.    SONG, DANCE AND RITUAL FROM MONGOLIA AND TIBET:  Michael Ormiston, Candida Valentino and the Tashi Lhunpo Monks.    Tickets £20 Further Information

Journey through the sounds and colours of Inner Asia from Tibet to the Steppes.  Experience Singing Bowls, Mongolian Khoomii overtone voicing and music and witness  monastic chant and magnificent masked dance from a Tibetan monastery.  A performance of voice, instruments, rhythm and movement introducing ancient traditions, sacred music and ritual storytelling.

TUESDAY 7TH JULY

0900-0920.   MORNING PRAYERS WITH THE TASHI LHUNPO MONKS

Join the Tashi Lhunpo Monks for the last time at the Festival for morning prayers and to see the completing of the Peace Mandala.

1000-1100.    PEACE MANDALA DESTRUCTION RITUAL   Donations Welcome. Further Information

The completed Peace Mandala will be ready for viewing and at 10am the dedication ceremony will begin.  The monks dedicate the construction of the mandala for Peace and release the deities to return to their own realms with chant and music.  The sand is swept to the centre of the table as the mandala is dismantled.  Follow the monks to distribute some of the sand in the River Frome (weather permitting), and return to collect some to take with you as a memory of the mandala.

Location
Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF.

What’s Happening
7.00pm.  An introduction to ‘The Epic of Everest’ and the story of the Dancing Lamas, followed by a screening of this unique film.

After the interval, five monks from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in exile offer a performance of the majestic masked dance and music from a Tibetan monastery which had so fascinated the climbers on their expeditions to the Himalayas and audiences in Europe over a hundred years ago.

Location
Renfrew Road, Renfrew Road, London SE11 4NA

What’s Happening

Saturday 11th July – afternoon.  Time tbc

WORKSHOP Join the Tashi Lhunpo monks to try some of the arts of the Tibetan monastery.  Print a prayer flag, try butter sculpture, have a go at using the chagpur – the tool the monks use on the mandala construction.  And make yourself a Dukar Wheel – containing the protective mantra of Dukar, the White Umbrella.

Sunday 12th July – morning and afternoon.  Please contact Jamyang Buddhist Centre for details.

TARA PUJA (FOUR MANDALA OFFERING)

SPECIAL SCREENING OF ‘THE EPIC OF EVEREST’

Regent Street Cinema

Cinema Box Office

Tuesday 14th July at 1900

‘THE EPIC OF EVEREST’ – The Official Record of Mallory and Irvine’s 1924 Expedition.  A film by Captain John Noel, with live Prologue by the monks of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery.

One hundred years ago Buddhist monks from Tibet toured the UK for the first time, performing at screenings of Captain John Noel’s film The Epic of Everest documenting the unsuccessful summit attempt of 1924 which led to the tragic death of climbers Mallory and Irvine.  The monks’ visit to the UK was arranged by the filmmaker without the permission of the Tibetan authorities and provoked the wrath of the 13th Dalai Lama as well as public outrage at what was perceived as a performance by ‘devil dancers’ on the London stage.  The resulting scandal, known as ‘The Affair of the Dancing Lamas’ brought to an untimely end any further exploration of Everest by the British for almost a decade.

In this special screening of the film, the monks from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery revive the original prologue with live music and chanting, evoking the atmosphere of sacred Tibet, and end with a dedication for those who sadly lost their lives on the mountain in 1924.

Location
Westminster University, Fyvie Hall, 309 Regent Street, London W1B 2HW

What’s Happening

Tuesday 14^th July:   THE PEACE MANDALA OF YAMANTAKA  – the wrathful aspect of Manjushri, the Buddha of Wisdom

10am.         Introduction and Welcome.

10.20am.   Dedication Ceremony of the mandala

4.30pm.     Destruction Ceremony of the mandala

The monks will construct a Peace Mandala over the two days of their residency, demonstrating the unique art of the Tantric tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.  The Peace Mandala is the central part of the rituals held at the end of a retreat, and with the setting of a fire above it any negativities are swept away with the ashes at the end of the fire puja.  Made up of millions of grains of coloured sand, the mandala is built up throughout the day, and after a dedication to Yamantaka the mandala is swept up demonstrating the impermanence of all things.  Those attending the final ceremony can take away a small bag of sand as a memory of the mandala.

WORKSHOP

Tuesday 14th July:  1100-1230

Join the monks to try some of the arts of the Tibetan monastery.  Print a prayer flag, try butter sculpture, have a go at using the chagpur – the tool the monks use on the mandala construction.  And make yourself a Dukar Wheel – containing the protective mantra of Dukar, the White Umbrella.

‘FROM THE ROOF OF THE WORLD’  CHAM DANCE PERFORMANCE

Tuesday 14th July:  1430-1530

In ‘The Power of Peace’, the sound of the sacred mantras, music and dance from the Tibetan Monastery open a magical window on to a world of reincarnation and mysticism.  From the mesmerising chant of Buddhist texts to swirling costumed masked dances accompanied by ancient Tantric musical instruments: horns made from human leg bones, skull-drums, cymbals, bells and the great dungchen (long horns), the monks evoke the atmosphere of sacred Tibet offering an experience of an ancient, endangered culture.

Location
Kedleston Road, near Quarndon, Derby, Derbyshire, DE22 5JH

What’s Happening
Saturday 18th July

1130.            Morning Prayers with the monks (20 minutes)

1130-1600   Peace Mandala construction

1330-1400.   Performance of the cham dance from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery

Sunday 19th July

1100-1330.    Destruction Ceremony of the Peace Mandala

1530-1600.    Cham performance

Location
Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk

What’s Happening
Peace Mandala, Workshops, Performances

Location
Lulworth Castle, Dorset

What’s Happening
Peace Mandala, Workshops, Performances

Location
Flavel Place, Dartmouth TQ6 9ND

What’s Happening

1500-1630.  Performance Workshop

We offer an explanation of the meaning of the beautiful costumes worn in the dances of the Gutor Festival at Tibetan New Year and invite you to learn a few of the steps.  A demonstration and explanation of Taksel, the art of dialectical debate, and an opportunity to learn some of the intricate mudras (hand gestures) from Tantric prayer offer an insight into life in a Buddhist monastery.

Further Information

‘The Power of Peace’ performance and Screening of ‘The Epic of Everest’ – the Official record of Mallory and Irvine’s 1924 expedition.

Following the 1924 expedition to Mount Everest which ended so tragically with the death of George Mallory and Sandy Irvine, The Epic of Everest, was released; an extraordinary silent film which documented both the climb and some of the earliest moving images from Tibet. IN 1924 the film was presented in the UK and Europe with a group of Tibetan monks who performed a prologue to the screenings featuring dance and Tantric music.

A unique evening featuring Monks from the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery who will present a live dance performance then an introduction to ‘The Epic of Everest’ film followed by the screening of the film (87 minutes) including a Prologue and Blessing by the monks as was done 100 years ago when the film was originally shown.

Expect mesmerising chants of Buddhist texts to swirling costumed masked dances accompanied by ancient Tantric musical instruments: horns made from human leg bones, skull-drums, cymbals, bells and the great dungchen (long horns), as the monks evoke the atmosphere of sacred Tibet offering an experience of an ancient, endangered culture.

Further Information

Location
Harewood House, Leeds

What’s Happening

Monday to Friday

1030-1630.   The construction of the Mandala of 21 Taras in the Gallery of Harewood House

1400-1430.   A performance of the Cham Dance and chant on the Terrace (weather permitting)

Tuesday and Wednesday:

1100-1200. Drop-in hands-on workshop with the monks in the Education Suite.

Saturday:

1400.  Destruction Ceremony of the Tara Mandala, followed by a procession to the Cascade.

Location
Rothesay Drive, Highcliffe, Christchurch BH23 4LE

What’s Happening
A special day in Highcliffe Castle: as part of one of the Pop Up Sundays, the monks will be making a Peace Mandala and offering a one hour performance in the Castle in the evening.

Further Information

Location
Milton Hill House, Steventon, Abingdon OX13 6AF

What’s Happening
Workshops, performances, puja and meditation.

Further Information

Location
Port Eliot House, Saltash, PL12 5ND

What’s Happening
Peace Mandala, workshops and performance

Further Information