Buddhist monks promote ‘positive power' in Laguna



Buddhist monks promote ‘positive power' in Laguna

Creating the Medicine Buddha Mandala.
Creating the Medicine Buddha Mandala.

Tibetan Buddhist monks are visiting Laguna Beach this week for the fourth time. The cultural experience, which is hosted by the Neighborhood Congregational Church, includes sand mandala making and meditation.

The church also makes an effort to show the monks around town. One year, they were seen kayaking off the Laguna coast.

The Rev. B.J. Beu, coordinator Pam Wickes and monk Geshe Lobzang Tseten took a couple minutes to tell the News-Post about the monks' visit.

Q. How did the tradition start?

A. Wickes: It first happened when Michele McCormick heard local merchant Tenpa Dorjee was looking for a host to bring Tibetan Buddhist monks to Laguna.

Each year, monks have come to us from Southern India, creating a different mandala and focus. This year, we also have invited monks from a different monastery in Southern India, so this is the first time the Drepung Gomang monks have visited Laguna Beach, and they are creating a medicine Buddha mandala.

Q. Geshe, why do you like to share your customs?

A. Tseten: Lots of people ask why Tibetan Buddhist monks like to come traveling in the U.S.

We have two reasons. One is culture-sharing. Tibetan Buddhist philosophy (is) how we bring happiness and move our inner suffering. American people are very interested in that philosophy.

Another reason is we are making a mandala. Mandala is not just coloring. Through mandala creation, we can learn more about values we share, like compassion, love, loving kindness. This is really important; we really need that. It's really useful, like medicine.

Q. Tell us about the medicine mandala.

A. Tseten: We are making a different mandala. Usually, we make one for peace. (This week, we will make) the medicine mandala for healing, which we need.

There are so many diseases happening in our society in modern times. It will be a benefit to stop diseases and the spread of disease. In the hospital, where people see so much suffering, we also pray that their problems and suffering will pass quickly.

Q. How does this benefit the whole community?

A. Tseten: Now that this younger generation doesn't join the church, the temple or the monastery because they don't care or they don't understand the benefit – I gladly explain the benefit. Motivation is very important so we try to create good motivation. Our chanting prays for all sentient beings (to) be at peace, never (to) be separated from joyful bliss and its causes, free from anger, attachment. Through chanting, meditation, we create motivations of happiness, freedom from suffering, joy.


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