As part of their first-ever U.S. tour, the Tibetan nuns of Jangchub Choeling nunnery in Mundgod, India, will be visiting Lincoln City Oct. 10-15. Their visit will include a five day residency at the Cultural Center and will include the creation of the Avalokiteshvara Sand Mandala, cultural presentations, workshops, and a special benefit dinner of Tibetan foods prepared by the nuns.

The focus of the visit by the Jangchub Choeling Tibetan nuns will be the creation of a “sand mandala,” a beautiful and symbolic piece of sacred Tibetan art.

The practice of creating sand mandalas - highly symbolic and colorful brocade-like designs made of colored sand - dates back a thousand years in Tibetan culture. This particular mandala is the representation of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva (or “Great Being”) of Compassion, known as Chenrezig in Tibetan. The Dalai Lama is believed to be the incarnation of Chenrezig.

The visit will begin on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 10 with a special preparatory purification ceremony involving Tibetan chanting and traditional Tibetan musical instruments. Construction of the sand mandala will begin the morning of October 11 starting at 9 am, and will continue through Monday, October 14. The nuns use special tools to create the mandala designs, long metal funnels - exactly the same as those used hundreds of years ago - that are vibrated by a special metal stick that controls the fine lines of colored sand.

The public is invited to observe the unfolding design and process of the mandala’s creation from 9 am to 4 pm each day in the Lincoln City Cultural Center auditorium.

After the sand mandala is completed on Monday, Oct. 14, there will be a special Dissolution Ceremony of the sacred artwork. The sand will be ritually swept up and taken to the ocean, signifying that all created things arise when sufficient conditions exist, and then “dissolve” when those conditions no longer exist.

In addition to the creation of the sand mandala, the Jangchub Choeling nuns will offer several special programs, including a Tibetan Cultural Night featuring Dakini dances, the Chod ceremony for removing of internal and external obstacles, and a slideshow presentation on the life of the nuns at Jangchub Choeling. Throughout their visit they will also be offering special home, business, and personal blessings and consultations. More information on these can be found through Lincoln County Friends of Tibet website at https://LCFriendsofTibet.org

Organizers are also scheduling meditation workshop, a discussion of Green Tara, one of the most beloved Tibetan Buddhist figures, and a Tibetan Benefit dinner on Tuesday, Oct. 15, featuring either delicious “momos,” a type of stuffed dumpling and favorite of Tibetans and Westerners alike, or “thenthuk” (pulled noodles), another Tibetan favorite.

All events are open to the public by suggested donation. The Tibetan Benefit Dinner will have a fixed price and will be by reservation only and limited seating.

This is the first time that a group of Tibetan nuns have toured throughout the United States. The Jangchub Choeling nuns have already visited a number of other cities in the U.S., including New York, Boston, Minneapolis, and Chicago, as well as colleges, community centers, and other locations throughout the country.

All proceeds raised during the Jangchub Choeling Tibetan nuns’ visit will go for medical care and medical facilities at the nunnery in Tibetan refugee zone in Southern India.

This visit by the Tibetan nuns to Lincoln City is hosted by Lincoln County Friends of Tibet, along with the generous support of the Lincoln City Cultural Center.

Donations to support preparations for this visit can be made to the Lincoln City Cultural Center or to Lincoln County Friends of Tibet GoFundMe page: https://gofund.me/104df25b