Coral Springs, FL (December 7, 2016) – Eight Tibetan Buddhist monks from the Drepung Gomang Monastery, students of H.H. Dalai Lama, will visit the Coral Springs Museum of Art from Tuesday, January 17, 2017 through Sunday, January 22, 2017. This six-day visit will entail traditional cultural teachings and artistic expression. The Coral Springs Museum of Art is one of only thirty locations that the monks will visit on their 2016/2017 North American Goodwill Tour.
This event is part of the monk’s mission to spread the message of peace, loving kindness, wisdom, and compassion while sharing their traditional Tibetan arts and culture. Funds raised from this event support their Monastery in southern India.
“The Coral Springs Museum of Art is honored to host the members of the Drepung Gomang Monastery. To be in the presence of these devoted men and learn about their culture is truly a privilege,” said Julia Andrews, Executive Director.
During their stay, the monks will devote each day from 10:00 a.m. until closing time, constructing the renowned sand mandala. Millions of colored grains of sand will be carefully laid out in specific patterns and diagrams, which represent sacred textual Buddhist imagery. Upon completion on January 22, 2017, the mandala will be ceremoniously deconstructed and deposited into a moving waterway, which is believed to spread blessings to the local community.
Other highlights include traditional Tibetan culinary classes followed by lunch or dinner with the monks, which will include casual conversation with the Geshe. Artistic workshops feature the painting of Tibetan peace symbols on stones called Mani Stones, the ancient art of butter sculpture and coloring Tibetan designs for children. Cultural pageantry presents costume, ritual dance, song, and chants. Sacred Tibetan practices and chanting open and close each day.
Some events require ticket purchase or pre-registration. Space is limited for workshops and culinary events. To register visit or call (954) 340-5000.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to purchase goods from the Tibetan Marketplace offered by the monks throughout their visit. The marketplace will be located within the Museum.
All contributions from the tour are used to purchase food, housing, and medical supplies for the nearly 2,000 monks at the Drepung Gomang Monastery in south India, and will go toward seed funds for income-generating projects aimed at eventual self-sufficiency.
For more information, contact the Coral Springs Museum of Art at (954) 340-5000 or museuminfo@coralsprings.com and online at coralspringsmuseum.org.
Located at 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs, Florida 33065 the Coral Springs Museum of Art is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
About Coral Springs Museum of Art
Coral Springs Museum of Art serves Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties, Florida, by offering an art immersion experience focused on celebrating present day, nationally recognized and Florida artists who create Traditional, Modern and Postmodern art. Since its opening in early 1997, the museum has hosted more than 600,000 visitors and students and exhibited the work of more than 200 artists in its galleries, including well-known artists such as Alexandra Nichita, Romero Britto, Wolf Kahn, Duane Hansen, Clyde Butcher, Jose Bedia, Royo, Yuroz, Dale Chihuly and Toulouse-Lautrec. The museum, which features a permanent collection and an extensive sculpture garden, is open to the public and offers numerous classes, programs, events and exhibits for children and adults. For more information, visit coralspringsmuseum.org.