The Power of Compassion - Tibetan monk performance

Friday 14th October – 7.30pm at Roland Levinsky, Theatre 1
Tickets £5 – Concession £3 available from: Plymouth Centre for Faiths and Cultural Diversity or Peninsula Arts Box Office on 01752 585050

In partnership with Peninsula Arts and the Multi-faith chaplaincy at the University of Plymouth, we have been able to secure an evening of with eight Tibetan monks from the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. They will be performing their unique mix of chanting, dancing, celebration and faith. This is a rare opportunity to witness these inspirational Tibetan Buddhist monks in Plymouth. Their tour gives them the opportunity to share their culture with a wider audience, and includes the playing of two mighty dunchens -12ft-long horns.

The Tashi Lhunpo order has its roots in the pre-Buddhist, shamanistic Bon religion that is more than 16,000 years old and their performance touches on the themes of human impermanence and the vastness of time. The traditional chants they perform are shortened versions of the prayers used in the monastery from day to day. The eight monks bring a programme of dances and music which illustrates the full range and diversity of this astonishing culture.

Founded by the first Dalai Lama in the 15th Century, the monastery grew in importance when in 1642 the 5th Dalai Lama conferred the title of Panchen Lama (Great Precious Teacher) on the head of the monastery. The Panchen Lama traditionally serves as the Dalai Lama’s tutor, and is regarded as the second highest spiritual leader after the Dalai Lama.

The ninety-minute programme closes with Shijoe, Prayers of Dedication for the environment, for health in mind and body and for the well-being of all in order to achieve universal spiritual harmony.

Earlier in the day they will be visiting College Road Primary School where the monks will run a series of workshops for the pupils, who will get a chance to find out more about their Tibetan culture and faith practice and also see them perform.

For more information please go to www.tashi-lhunpo.org.uk