Cultural group to host Tibetan monks

NORMAN — The Norman Cultural Connection will host a series of virtual events with Tibetan Monks from the Gaden Shartse Monastery beginning on Monday and continuing through Oct. 3.

A variety of events will take place over two weeks, including a lecture series and the artistic creation of a mandala sand painting.

The creation of a sand mandala, along with ritual chants and information on Tibetan cultural practices, may be viewed live on Norman Cultural Connection's Facebook page, where more details on the schedule are available. The creation of the sand painting with powdered and dyed stone, sand, dust, flowers and charcoal will require between 75 and 125 hours.

This free event is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Norman Arts Council Hotel Tax Grant Program. Funding for this program also is provided, in part, by a grant from Oklahoma Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities. In addition, support has been provided by Therapy in Motion, Draper Realty and Great Nations Bank.

Four public lectures will be offered, with a suggested donation of $10, beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday with a lecture on “Karma and the Law of Cause and Effect.” Additional topics include

“The Meaning and Benefits of the Chant: Om Mani Padme Hung,” “The Wisdom and Blessing of Manjushri” and “Compassion for a Troubled World.”

The lectures by the Sacred Arts of Tibet tour group will be offered online through Zoom, and registration to attend is required.

Monks from the Gaden Shartse Monastery in India have presented a series of lectures and created a sand mandala during annual visits to Norman since 2008. They offer these events to be of service to the world community by nurturing peace, harmony, compassion and tolerance through cultural exchange. The tour group was scheduled to visit Norman in

April, but travel was postponed from their center in California due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Sacred Arts of Tibet virtual events are sponsored by Norman Cultural Connection because of its commitment to enhancing awareness, understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity, social differences and the wisdom of world cultures by hosting events for the community.

To register for the public lectures, go to the “Upcoming Events” tab at www.normanculturalconnection.org. For more information, call Marial Martyn at 201-9991 or email mmartyn@normancc. org.