Mandala Making: Practicing Visualization

Every aspect of the mandala has meaning. Just to glimpse a sacred mandala is thought to sow positive seeds in the mind of the observer and help tame pride, attachment, envy, anger, and ignorance to invoke the wisdom that exists in each of us. Mandalas are a tool to awaken that wisdom and advance one’s journey toward the all-knowing state of enlightenment.

Join Sand Mandala Master Lopon Rabjee Wangchuk from Palyul and Venerable Tenzin Choesang from Namgyal Monastery and President of the Dalai Lama Library and Museum for a mandala-making workshop in which you will learn the significance of mandalas and draw your own reimagined ideal universe.

This event includes a breathing and meditation exercise, instruction about the symbolism and meaning of mandalas, guided mandala sketching, and mantra chanting. All materials will be provided.

Before the program begins in the theater, join us for a tour of the Mandala Lab by program host Tashi Chodron, Assistant Manager, Himalayan Cultural Programs and Partnerships, at 6:30 PM on the third floor.

About the Teachers

Lopon Rapjee Wangchuk is a master of chanting and ritual instruments, with deep knowledge of many aspects of Vajrayana Buddhism. Born in Pemakod, India, he began his Buddhist education at a young age, doing preliminary practices including Ngöndro. He then attended Namdroling, the monastic seat in India of H.H. Penor Rinpoche, head of the Nyingma tradition and eleventh throne holder of the Palyul lineage.

There he studied many forms of Vajrayana rituals. Then he completed the monastery’s shedra, a nine-year college of higher Buddhist philosophical studies, graduating with the degree of Lopön, a spiritual degree given in Tibetan Buddhism equal to a master’s degree.

After receiving this title, Lopön Rapjee was chosen by H.H. Penor Rinpoche as a personal attendant. He served His Holiness for over two decades, and traveled with him all over the world including the Palyul Summer Retreat in Upstate New York, where he assisted in ritual practices such as sand mandala creation, chanting, lama dance, and ritual sounds.

Venerable Tenzin Choesang became a monk at age 16 at Namgyal Monastery, the personal monastery of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. There he met his great teacher, His Eminence Lobsang Nyima, the hundredth throne holder of Je Rinpoche, the renowned Lama Tsongkhapa. Venerable Choesang studied intensively with this great master for 14 years and continues as his principal student. After he finished his master’s examination of Buddhist sutra and tantra in the year 2000, the Abbot of Namgyal Monastery selected him to teach Namgyal Monastery students. He taught both sutra and tantra for five years. From 2002 to 2005 he held several positions within the monastery, including education director. Venerable Choesang has taught and studied in many places across India and around the world. He is currently the board president of the Namgyal Monastery in Ithaca, New York, and the Buddhist chaplain at Cornell University.

In 2017, Venerable Choesang developed the idea of the Dalai Lama Library and Museum and approached His Holiness with the initial plans. With His Holiness’s wholehearted support, Venerable Choesang has become the principal champion and organizer of this auspicious project.

Himalayan Heritage programs are supported by The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation and Heather Beth Henson.