Buddhist monks promote inner peace
IT WAS a weekend to reflect and seek inner peace for the parents and children involved in a two-day workshop with the Gyuto Tibetan Buddhist monks in Yamba at the weekend.
"It was fabulous, especially the final evening where the monks performed their famous chanting," said event organiser Amanda Brightwell.
The monks closed the two-day workshop with their famous Mantra Magic Chant where they use ancient Tibetan mantras to harmonise and create a soothing, meditation tone.
Other events at the workshop included classes on meditation and dealing with depression as well as symbolic craft activities for children.
The monks also spoke about the asset of forgiveness, and the paradox of expectation.
"The children made peace trees and mandala talismans," said Ms Brightwell.
"All of the workshops had a cultural element where the monks spoke on different aspects of their beliefs.
"Then they did the craft projects with the children and talked about the symbolism of what they were making."
Over the course of the weekend the monks built a metre-square mandala or sacred artwork out of sand.
"At the end of the weekend the mandala was taken in a procession down to the river which was absolutely amazing and very moving," said Ms Brightwell.
"The procession brought a symbolic end to the program."
Next weekend on Sunday, October 7, the monk's film Pure Sound, which tells the story of how they live in India with the Dalai Lama, will be showing at the Star Court Theatre in Lismore.
For tickets visit www.starcourttheatre.com.au.
