Celebrate Tibet Week at Emory with events across campus

By Anna Chapman Aug. 28, 2024

Tibet Week has been an enduring tradition at Emory University since 2001, celebrating the university’s longstanding collaboration with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and affiliation with the Drepung Loseling Monastery in South India.

Beginning as the Emory-Tibet partnership in 1998, Tibet Week celebrates the combination of Western and Tibetan Buddhist traditions for education and discovery. The 2024 celebration is set for Sept. 3-6 and features plenty of programs that are open to the public.

Tibet Week 2024 activities

There are many opportunities this week to celebrate the decades-long partnership and work of the Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics. In addition to being able to attend the opening and closing ceremonies, the community can participate in discussions and meditations, observe the construction of the intricate sand mandala and more.

All programs are free and open to the public. Events will be held in Ackerman Hall, located on the third floor of the Michael C. Carlos Museum, unless otherwise noted.

Tuesday, Sept. 3

Tibet Week Opening Ceremony
12-1 p.m.

The Drepung Loseling Monks of the Mystical Arts of Tibet and Lobsang Tenzin Negi, executive director of the Emory Compassion Center, will kick off Tibet Week with a special ceremony. Complete with traditional Tibetan musical instruments, the monks will demonstrate their vocal abilities through sacred chants.

Mandala Sand Painting

1-5 p.m.

During the weeklong celebration, the Drepung Loseling monks of the Mystical Arts of Tibet will create a mandala sand painting of Akshobya Buddha, the “unmovable one” who embodies the knowledge of what is real and dispels confusion. The Akshobya Buddha is traditionally invoked at times of crisis and conflict.

The mandala will feature millions of colored sand grains, meticulously placed with metal funnels called chak-purs. There are daily opportunities for the public to watch the monks work on the mandala in Ackerman Hall.

Guided Tour: Mindfulness in the Galleries

4-5 p.m.

Join Jennifer Knox, certified instructor in Cognitively Based Compassion Training and the Community Resilience Model, for a tour through the Carlos Museum galleries exploring connections between art and the practice of mindfulness. Space is limited and advance registration is required.

Guided Compassion Meditation

5-6 p.m.

Participate in a time of compassion meditation led by staff from the Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics. Cushions and chairs will be provided, and attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing.

Lecture: “Buddhist Perspectives on Finding Common Ground in a Divided World”

7:30-9 p.m.

Hear Venerable Geshe Lhakdor, director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, as he returns to Emory to deliver a talk titled “Buddhist Perspectives on Finding Common Ground in a Divided World.”

This lecture is free to attend, but registration is required.

Wednesday, Sept. 4

Mandala Sand Painting

10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Return for the second round of mandala sand painting as the Drepung Loseling monks of the Mystical Arts of Tibet continue to meticulously create their work of Akshobya Buddha.

Hands-On Community Sand Painting

11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Try your hand at creating a mandala sand painting just across from where the Drepung Loseling monks of the Mystical Arts of Tibet are crafting the large sand mandala. All are welcome to learn the techniques used in creating an elaborate painting constructed with millions of grains of sand.

Guided Compassion Meditation

5-6 p.m.

Don’t miss another opportunity for guided compassion meditation sessions with staff from the Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics. Cushions and chairs will be provided, and guests are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing.

Panel: “Bridging Two Worlds”

7:30-9 p.m.

Join panelists for “Bridging Two Worlds,” a discussion exploring the intersection of Buddhism and science. Panelists include Geshe Lodoe Sangpo of Gaden Jangtse Monastic College and Sera Je Monastics; Geshe Gelek Gyatso from Drepung Loseling Monastic College; and Elizabeth Martin, participant in the Emory Mind/Body Sciences Study Abroad Program.

This panel is free to attend, but registration is required.

Thursday, Sept. 5

Mandala Sand Painting

10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Thursday provides another opportunity for the Emory community to observe the progress of the mandala sand painting of Akshobya Buddha by the Drepung Loseling monks of the Mystical Arts of Tibet.

Hands-On Community Sand Painting

11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Don’t miss your opportunity to try your hand at creating a mandala sand painting just across from where the Drepung Loseling monks of the Mystical Arts of Tibet are crafting the large sand mandala. All are welcome to learn the techniques used in creating an elaborate painting constructed with millions of grains of sand.

Guided Compassion Meditation

5-6 p.m.

Return for a third opportunity to join a guided compassion meditation session with staff from the Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics. Cushions and chairs will be provided, and guests are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing.

Panel: “Future Pathways in SEE Learning and Education”

7:30-9 p.m.

Join educational professionals for a panel discussion about the future of SEE (Social, Emotional and Ethical) Learning with Emory’s Compassion Center. Panelists include Venerable Hye Ju Sunim, director of SEE Learning in South Korea; Adrea Lawrence, interim provost at the University of Montana; and Nanook Smildiger, director of the Levapan Foundation, Colombia.

This panel is free to attend, but registration is required.

Friday, Sept. 6

Mandala Sand Painting

10 a.m.-5 p.m.

This is one of the last chances to observe the progress being made on the mandala sand painting of Akshobya Buddha by the Drepung Loseling monks of the Mystical Arts of Tibet.

Hands-On Community Sand Painting

11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Attend one last session to create your own mandala sand painting. All are welcome to learn the techniques used in creating an elaborate painting constructed with millions of grains of sand.

Guided Compassion Meditation

5-6 p.m.

Participate in the final guided compassion meditation of Tibet Week with staff from the Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics. Cushions and chairs will be provided, and attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing.

Mandala Closing Ceremony

6 p.m.

To signify the end of Tibet Week, the completed mandala sand painting will be deconstructed shortly after its completion during the Closing Ceremony. Join Geshe Lobsang Tenzin Negi, director of Emory’s Compassion Center, and monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery and Mystical Arts of Tibet as they “withdraw” the sand mandala and distribute the sand to spread its blessings throughout the community and the world.

Panel: “Leadership and Compassion”

7:30-9 p.m.

Hannah Smith, senior program coordinator of the Emory Compassion Center’s Compassion Shift, facilitates a multi-disciplinary discussion between Reshma Piramal, co-director of SEE Learning India; Kirstie Papworth, executive director of Experiential Learning at the London Business School; and Kalie Giovanni, licensed clinical social worker.

The program is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

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Tibet Week 2024 activities

Tuesday, Sept. 3

Wednesday, Sept. 4

Thursday, Sept. 5

Friday, Sept. 6

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