Prayer Meditation with Tibetan Monks

The last two days, March 7th & 8th, I was very honored to participate in prayer meditations led by five Tibetan monks exhiled in India at the Zongkar Choede Monastery.

“The Zongkar Choede Monastery is historically one of the oldest monasteries in Tibet. It was established in western Tibet in 1270 by the Tibetan king Tri-bum-de-gon. The monastery became a thriving spiritual community in western Tibet and emerged as on of the largest repositories of Tibetan folk and monastic art, music, dance, artifacts and spiritual training.

“In the 1950’s, during the Cultural Revolution, the Zongkar Choede Monastery was destroyed and fewer than 5% of its original 600 monks survived (approx 30). The monastery was rebuilt in the lush green forest and farmland of coastal Southern Indian in 1972. His Holiness the Dalai Lama inaugurated the new temple on December 27, 2004.”

The Glenbow Museum of Calgary, Alberta, sponsored the monks to come to Canada for the week promoting the Tibetan cause,...They continued their art of creating a sand Medicine Buddha Mandala in the lobby of the Glenbow Museum. Four Tibetan monks took turns funneling different colors of sand through a silver funnel tube, tapping with another tube to determine how much sand would come out of the funnel tube…

And woohoo for me, I sponsored a Tibetan child monk from Dzongkar Choede Monastery in India for education, medical care, food, clothing and Buddhist philosphy and debating…

“A school for young monks (80% if the population) was formally opened in 1995 within the compound of the monastery. These young monks come from poor families in remote slum areas with no school or educational facilities. At the Zongkar Choede Monastery, the young men are provided with opportunities to receive a modern education as well as the study of Buddhist text, Buddhist logic, and traditional debating skills.... In 2005, His Holiness the Dalai Lama shared his teachings with the people and advised on the importance of good education and health care for the monks. The monastery is fully dependent on the generosity of devotee offerings and sponsorship programs, and does not receive financial support from the State or government. All funds received.... are spent on the needs of the student monks, such as their medical care, education, clothing, food and preservation of the ancient traditional Buddhist religion.”

I selected a small photo of the child monk and had it enlarged and framed, so that I can enjoy the face of the smiling child monk when I feel overwhelmed by the world. I believe I have been blessed to be given this opportunity, to sponsor a Tibetan child monk... In the Circle of Life teachings, we are all related.. Tibetans are of the yellow nation of man that seek enlightenment.. I am continuing the Circle of Life by ensuring that one Tibetan child monk will reach adulthood... All My Relations...

"All that you are is the result of what you have thought; it is founded in your thoughts, it is made up of your thoughts." — Gautama Buddha