By Theresa Harrington
STAFF WRITER
CONCORD – At a time of turbulence in the world, Tibetan monks continue to preach peace and harmony. Traveling around the globe, monks from the Gaden Shartse Monastery in southern India are spreading a message of unity and compassion, while sharing their culture with the public.
Some of the monks will be visiting the Center for Positive Learning on Clayton Way in Concord.
“It’s really an honor and a great opportunity for us to host the monks so that we can present their teachings to the general public,” said Dan Howard, music director for the Center for Positive Living, which is also known as the Contra Costa Church of Religious Science.
“This is an ancient spiritual tradition and it’s accessible to everyone. The average person is going to receive great benefit from it.”
A Tibetan lama, or priest, will speak Saturday night about peace, unity and understanding, describing how individuals can achieve these qualities. The following day, the monks will share a vegetarian lunch with the public, followed by a healing and purification ceremony.
The lama will deliver his lecture in Tibetan, with another monk providing an English translation.
“Their monastic community is recognized as the finest seed of scholarship for the preservation and development of Tibetan culture and religion,” Howard said. “The purpose of this tour is to help raise money for the monastery, while offering a rare glimpse of a colorful, fascinating and dynamic culture rarely experienced directly by Westerners.”
Howard encourages people interested in learning more about Tibetan Buddhism to come to the potluck and speak with the monks in an informal setting. There will also be a question-and-answer session after the healing ceremony.
The Vajravidharan healing and purification ceremony is a tantric ritual intended to remove negativity and offer a sense of protection. The lama will teach participants how to use visualization for inner healing. Although the practice is said to be effective for removing toxins from the body, it is also empowering for those who feel they have no ailments but are on a spiritual path, regardless of their spiritual beliefs, Howard said.
Each participant will receive a “cord of protection” and a sketch of the Vajravidharan drawn by the monks. And Howard added that the ceremony should help people who feel tense because of world events.
“The way I see it, the timing of this (visit) could not be better,” he said. “Everybody’s going to be agitated. I’m agitated and worried and nervous.
“It’s going to give us calm, confidence, focus, clarity, strength and healing. I’m going with the intention of receiving those things, and I think any open-minded person is really going to take home a great deal.”
TIBETAN MONKS VISIT
• WHAT: Potluck vegetarian lunch, lecture, healing and purification ceremony
• WHEN: Lunch at noon, followed by lecture 1-3 p.m. March 22; ceremony 7-9 p.m. March 23
• WHERE: The Center for Positive Living, Contra Costa Church of Religious Science, 1865 Clayton Way, Concord
• COST: Suggested donations are a vegetarian dish for potluck; $10-$20 each for lecture and ceremony
• INFORMATION: Call 925-363-9070 or www.thereisapower.com
Theresa Harrington covers the Concord area. She can be reached at 925-682-6440, ext. 29, or by e-mail at tharrington@cctimes.com.
