Tibetan arts and culture come to U.Va.

Nov. 28 - Dec. 3 / 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
In the Bayly Art Museum, the Tibetan monks from the Drepung Loseling Mystical Arts tour will create a sand mandala, a symbolic depiction created to invoke the blessing of the healing Buddha through meditation.

Dec. 1 / 7:30-9 p.m.
"Opening the Heart: Arousing the Mind of Universal Kindness" lecture by Lhating Rinpoche, head Lama of the Drepung Loseling Mystical Arts tour, Wesley Foundation Building ($10 donation suggested).

Dec. 2 / 1-5 p.m.
Tibetan art and culture family program, Bayly Art Museum, featuring music, dancing, traditional papermaking and refreshments.

5:30-6:30 p.m. The monks will perform "Tara Puja," a chanting prayer ceremony, at the Wesley Foundation Building, 1908 Lewis Mountain Road (donation of $10 suggested). The program is sponsored by the Jefferson Tibetan Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism. Tara is the female embodiment of the enlightened energies of all the Buddhas.

Dec. 3 / 7 p.m.
The multiphonic singers of Drepung Loseling Monastery will perform "Sacred Music, Sacred Dance for World Healing" at the Charlottesville Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $12 general and $8 students and are available at Greenberry's in Barracks Road, Crozet Natural Foods and at the center the evening of the performance. Dec. 7 / 5:30 p.m. Jeffrey Hopkins, religious studies professor at U.Va., will present "Mandala Meditation in Tibetan Buddhism" in Campbell Hall 153. His talk is one of the Ellen Bayard Weedon Lectures in the Arts of Asia.

Through Jan. 14
"The Mystical Arts of Tibet" exhibition at the Bayly Art Museum brings together 108 traditional art objects, including 23 watercolor tangka paintings, more than a dozen ancient bronze statues, ritual objects made of gilded silver and bronze, and a set of temple musical instruments.

Organized by Richard Gere Productions and Losel Shedrup Ling (The Loseling Institute), in conjunction with Oglethorpe University Museum, "The Mystical Arts of Tibet" captures the essence of the artistic achievements of both Old Tibet and Tibet-in-Exile, as preserved under the Dalai Lama's guidance in India and Nepal.

The Jefferson Tibetan Society is housing the monks during their stay. For information on events, call 980-1752 or 973-1147.