March 17, 2026

Press Release

For more information, [email protected]

Lone Pine hosts Tibetan Monks during their 2026 World Peace Tour

 

A group of Tibetan Buddhist monks will be in Lone Pine from March 24 to 29 as part of their 2026 Sacred Harmony World Peace Tour.

The monks of Gaden Shartse Monastery Phukhang in South India seek to cultivate intercultural understanding, peace, and healing through the transformative power of sacred sound, art, and Tibetan Buddhist teachings, organizers said.

The public is invited to observe the monks creating an intricate Buddha of Compassion sand mandala at the Metabolic Studio space at 127 North Main Street daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition, they will be offering talks and sacred empowerment rituals from 6-7:30 p.m. each evening, which are also free and open to the public.

The monks of Gaden Shartse Phukhang wish to share the profound spiritual impact of Tibetan tantric chanting and other sacred Tibetan Buddhist art, fostering a consciousness of peace through direct, immersive experiences, organizers said.

This is the second time Lone Pine has hosted Buddhist monks during their tour of the US. In 2024, a different group of monks also created a sand mandala and offered talks in the Metabolic Studio space. Watching the intricate, colorful artwork evolve over several days and observing the concentration and precision required to create it is a rare treat.

Mandala means literally “that which extracts the essence.” The monks will create a two-dimensional sand mandala, which will require approximately 40 hours of intensive effort by several monks for five days to complete.

The sand is applied very precisely by the gentle rubbing of a sand-filled metal cone that has had its tip removed. Upon completion, the monks will dissolve the mandala. The Buddha’s last words were “All things are impermanent, work out your salvation with diligence.” In upholding these principles, the monks sweep up the mandala and place the sand in a river, lake, or ocean to purify the surrounding environment.

The following is the schedule of events and teachings at the Metabolic Studio space. All evening talks start at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Tuesday, March 24, the opening ceremony and Mandala Teaching.

Wednesday, March 25, a Vajravidarin healing ritual.

Thursday, March 26, a dharma teaching on the Four Immeasurables – Loving Kindness, Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity.

Friday, March 27, a potluck with the monks, from 5-6 p.m., bring a small dish – no pork or fish; 6 p.m. Avalokiteshvara Empowerment.

Saturday, March 28, Pet Blessing from 11 a.m. to noon, IOU Garden, corner of Main and Willow Streets; 4 to 5:30 p.m. Mandala dissolution and Closing Ceremony.

Sunday, March 29, at 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sand Distribution and Intercultural Dialogue was offered by RSVP at [email protected], but the event is now full and there is a waiting list.

The monks’ Lone Pine stay is co-sponsored by the Metabolic Studio and Vast and Profound. For more information, see vastandprofound.org/schedule/worldpeacetour.