2026 Tour - Power of Peace

Location
Bradgate Road, Bedford MK40 3DE

What’s Happening

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

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

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

What’s Happening

SUNDAY 5TH JULY

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

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.  www.soundtransformations.co.uk

1430-1530.   Tibetan Workshop with the Tashi Lhunpo Monks.     Tickets £15

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

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

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

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.

1500-1700.    Stories of the Dalai Lama with Alison Murdoch.     Donations Welcome

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

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

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
Screening of ‘The Epic of Everest’, One hour performance

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)

WORKSHOP.   The Peace Mandala: the offerings associated with a fire puja.

Location
309 Regent Street, London W1B 2HW

What’s Happening

Tuesday 14^th and Wednesday 15th July:   THE PEACE MANDALA OF YAMANTAKA  – the wrathful aspect of Manjushri, the Buddha of Wisdom

Tuesday 14th: 10am. Introduction and Welcome.

10.20am.  Dedication Ceremony of the mandala

4.30pm.   Understanding the Peace Mandala (talk)

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 over the two days, and after a dedication to Yamantaka and the mandala is swept up demonstrating the impermanence of all things.  Those attending the final ceremony can take a small bag of sand as a memory of the mandala.

WORKSHOP

Tuesday 14th July:  1100-1230

Wednesday 15th July:  1100-1200

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.

‘THE POWER OF PEACE’  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.

FILM ‘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
Kedleston Road, near Quarndon, Derby, Derbyshire, DE22 5JH

What’s Happening
Peace Mandala, Workshops, Performances

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
Screening of ‘The Epic of Everest’ and performance

Location
Harewood House, Leeds

What’s Happening
Mandala, workshops and short performances

Location
Rothesay Drive, Highcliffe, Christchurch BH23 4LE

What’s Happening
Peace Mandala, Performance

Location
Milton Hill House, Steventon, Abingdon OX13 6AF

What’s Happening
Workshops, performances, puja and meditation

Location
Port Eliot House, Saltash, PL12 5ND

What’s Happening
Peace Mandala, workshops and performance