Sacred Sand Mandala Ceremonies
July 18 – 22
Wednesday thru Sunday

A rare appearance by the Tibetan Buddhist Monks of Gaden Ngari Monastery, Mongnad, India

You are cordially invited to attend and enjoy the blessings during the sacred creation of a Medicine Buddha Sand Mandala at East West, over a period of 5 days. We are humbled and honored to sponsor and host these gentle artists as they chant, meditate and pray during the placement of millions of grains of colored sand into a magnificent picture of healing and enlightenment. The mandala will be constructed in the Café area. Seating will be provided for those who wish to meditate or watch the process.

The festivities will include:

• OPENING CEREMONIES
  Wednesday, July 18 at 12 Noon
  The monks will play their famous ceremonial horns,
  dedicate the space and begin the sand mandala
  
  
• PUBLIC VIEWING of the Mandala Creation Process
  Wednesday, 1 - 8pm
  Thursday, Saturday, Noon – 8 pm
  Sunday, Noon – 6 pm
  You will be able to watch close up and ask questions.
  A meditative and atmosphere will be enjoyed by all.
  
  
• DAILY TIBETAN CULTURAL PROGRAM
  Wednesday thru Saturday, 6-7 pm
  
  
• CLOSING CEREMONIES and PROCESSION to Hudson River
  Sunday, July 22, 6 pm
  
  
• 24 Hour LIVE VIDEO FEED
  Displayed in our 5th Avenue front window. You can watch the progress of the mandala throughout the day from the street or come up to the café to see it in person.
  
  
• CAFÉ SERVICES
  The café will be open during business hours for quiet meditation and reflection. Beverages and snacks will be served quietly from 11am – 8 pm. WiFi service will be turned off for the event so that a respectful and quiet atmosphere can be maintained during the creation of the mandala.

THE MEDICINE BUDDHA MANDALA
The intention of the Monks and East West during this sacred ceremony is to focus on healing for New Yorkers (in any respect needed) and for the healing of the earth’s environment. The monks engage in continuous inner spiritual practices during the mandala’s creation to imbue the finished mandala with these intentions. This in turn, permeates the surrounding environment, re-consecrating the earth and its inhabitants.

Tibetan medicine recognizes three basic types of illness, the root causes of which are the conflicting emotions -- passion, aggression, and ignorance and the lack of contentment. It is said the meditating on the Medicine Buddha will increase in healing powers both for oneself and others and a decrease in physical and mental illness and suffering. As they create the sand mandala, the monks will be meditating on the Medicine Buddha for the benefit of all sentient beings.

The traditional culmination of a sand mandala is its destruction to symbolize the Buddhist concept of the impermanence of all life. It is traditionally offered to the nearest body of water (ocean, river, lake) and in this case, the sands from the mandala will be carried in an elaborate procession with music and festivities to the Hudson River.

For more information on sand mandalas and this ceremony, please visit http://www.mysticalartsoftibet.org/ and click on Sand Mandala.

ABOUT SPONSORING THE MONKS
East West is deeply honored to sponsor the Monks and to make a donation to their monastery and work. This is tax deductible as a charitable donation through their US affiliate. More information on their history and work is at http://www.gadenngari.org/

If you would like to join East West as a sponsor, please contact Jan Mathews, CEO of East West Living. jan@eastwestnyc.com. Sponsors will be invited to private events with the monks to discuss Astrology, House and Business Blessings and Divination and Remedies. The monks will also have a small quantity of their handmade goods for sale at East West and all proceeds will go toward their work.

For press inquiries only please contact:
Alyssa@eastwestnyc.com