Mystical Arts of Tibet ends Columbia visit

The monks performed ancient dances as means of keeping traditions alive.

By Rachel Krause

Published Oct. 30, 2009

Eight monks, adorned in scarlet robes and golden sashes, brought comedy, drama and a message of world peace Thursday night to Jesse Auditorium through the extravagant music and dance performance titled, "Sacred Music Sacred Dance for World Healing."

The performance concluded the four-day visit of Drepung Loseling Monastery's Mystical Arts of Tibet tour.

Sam Devaram, senior chairman of the Missouri Students Association/Graduate-Professional Council's International Programming Committee, organized the event and said the visit was beneficial.

"I think it's a good cultural exposure for Mizzou students, and it gives a little insight into spiritual life, and to also learn about Buddhism and Tibetan culture," Devaram said.

Geshe Wangden Tashi, who has been living in exile at the monastery for 23 years, spoke about the history and culture of Tibet in a lecture titled "Tibet Today" on Wednesday night.

Tashi said about 6,000 Tibetan monasteries and nunneries have been destroyed and 1.2 million Tibetans have died as a result of the Chinese occupation that began in 1959.

Tashi described the difficulty of leaving his family behind in Tibet to pursue a spiritual life at the monastery.

"Because of the political problems and lack of freedom in Tibet, I wasn't able to go back to my family," Tashi said. "This is not only me because 80 percent of our monks at the monastery are from Tibet. Like me, they left their parents and families behind and most of them, unfortunately, will never get a chance to see their parents again."

After three days of work on the mandala, it was destroyed during the closing ceremonies Thursday afternoon. Half the sand was dispersed to audience members, and the other half will be released into the Missouri River.

Devaram said the dances and music performed at "Sacred Music Sacred Dance" are an integral part of Tibetan culture.

"It is something that has been passed on from their ancestors from generation to generation and they're trying to keep it alive in the monasteries," Devaram said.

The 90-minute performance opened with multiphonic chanting, which involves each person singing three notes at once, and the playing of longhorns, trumpets, drums, bells and cymbals for the purpose of invocating the forces of goodness.

Two monks dressed in extravagant silk fabrics and black sheaths over the face performed the dance of the black hat masters, an ancient dance intended to eliminate negative energies. Following soon after, a fluffy white tiger frolicked around the stage during the snow lion dance, causing laughter to erupt from audience members.

"The snow lion dance is one of the most favorite dances of children and seniors alike," tour spokesman Thupten Tendhar said. "This is symbolic of the inspiration for harmony between humans and other beings, such as animals."

Two red skeleton figures leapt and spun across the stage during dance of the skeleton lords, which Tendhar said is intended to remind one of the impermanent nature and changes in life.

Tendhar said most of the monks have 10 to 15 years experience performing.

Tashi said because these ancient traditions might become extinct if there isn't enough support to preserve them, it is vital they gain worldwide support for Tibet.

"We are optimistic that great change in China is coming so people in Tibet will be able to enjoy more freedoms," Tashi said. "However, we cannot leave it up to karma or time because if we are unable to preserve the various aspects of Tibetan culture, it will be impossible to recover that which is already lost."