by Drepung Gomang Sacred Arts Tour Monks from India
Monday, March 3, 5pm to Saturday, March 8, 4pm
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 330 N. Hubbards Lane, 40207
Join us for this special opportunity to set an intention together for peace and unity and envision a world where every person is precious and respected. The opening interfaith service at 5:00pm will include voices and wisdom from diverse religious traditions and practices in order to renew our focus on nonviolence, loving-kindness, compassion, tolerance, patience, and care for all beings and all creation. All Are Welcome!
Stay for the Opening Ritual of an Interfaith World Peace Sand Mandala for Unity and Compassion.
"Mandala” is a Sanskrit word meaning “world in harmony”. Tibetan Buddhist Sand Mandalas are created mindfully by adding one grain of sand at a time while contemplating world peace, compassion, wisdom, loving-kindness, wellness, and long life.
This contemporary mandala includes an image of our Earth in the center with a peace dove superimposed. Surrounding it are symbols from major world religions, all beautiful in their own right, together signifying world peace.
When this visual prayer is complete, the monks offer a powerful closing ceremony. After prayers of offering and dedication, the monks dissolve the mandala by sweeping all the sand to the center of the board. This symbolizes the impermanence of all, creates awareness of one’s attachments and therefore suffering, and generates healing for the world.
Some of the sacred sand will be shared with those who are at the ceremony to be taken to bless one’s home or garden. Most sand will be released into a natural body of water so that all the prayers and blessings of the many-day ceremony, and all healing and compassion may flow throughout the world.
Please vigil with us. Drop in as often as you can during these times of construction:
Tuesday, March 4, 1:00 to 4:00pm
Wednesday, March 5, 2:00 to 5:00pm
Thursday, March 6, 4:00 to 7:00pm
Friday, March 7, 10:00am to 4:00pm
Saturday, March 8, 3:00 to 4:00pm
Conclusion and Dissolution Ceremony: Saturday, March 8, 4pm
Co-Hosted by St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church and Drepung Gomang Center for Engaging Compassion. Cosponsors include: St. William Church, Unity of Louisville, All Peoples Justice Center, and Interfaith Peacemaking Initiative (a new project of DGCEC. Watch for our formal launch in late March.)
