Tag Archives: tibetan singing monks

Music and Art: Mystical Tibet on Martha’s Vineyard

Monks of Tibet

Martha’s Vineyard attracts talent – of the spiritual, artistic and musical variety – every summer. A few weeks ago, I was lucky to see the Drepung Loseling Tibetan Monks perform. As part of their foundation with Richard Gere, they travel the world, bringing the culture of Tibet wherever they go.

On the Vineyard, they held daily meditation and a series of lectures on everything from meditation from depression and stress to practicing universal kindness.  The famed multiphonic singers performed traditional temple music and mystical masked dances at the Oak Bluffs Tabernacle. The incredible show featured elaborate costumes, traditional instruments and their unique singing.

The monks also constructed a sand mandala painting of Green Tara, a female Buddha that represents prosperity and accomplishment, by extraordinarily pouring millions of grains of colored sand into place over a period of days. Below is an incredible video of the monks at work:

The monks have made the Vineyard a regular stop on their tour – they’re bound to be here next year! I can’t wait…I hope you’ll make it out to the island for a little beach time and a healthy dose of mediation and culture.