A Museum Tour of Tibet

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The Huntsville Museum of Art is presenting "The Mystical Arts of Tibet" through May 6, 2001.  This impressive exhibit includes 30 personal objects of H.H. the Dalai Lama, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 and is the revered leader of the Tibetan people; 54 ancient and sacred pieces from Drepung Loseling, Tibet's largest monastery and home of the early Dalai Lamas; and 24 contemporary pieces made in India and Nepal.

To understand the history of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people, be sure and take time to watch the 45-minute video in the exhibition rooms.

Another plus to this exhibit was the chance for the public to witness a team of Buddhist monks constructing a sacred mandala sand painting--one of the most unique and exquisite expressions of Tibetan art.  The mandala is formed with traditional iconography art that includes geometric shapes and a multitude of ancient symbols and is used as a spiritual tool for re-consecrating the earth and its inhabitants.

On display for the first time in the West are 11th to 15th century bronzes, 17th-century watercolor paintings, ancient ritual objects and altar pieces, and 18th-century manuscripts hand-copied in ink made from pure gold.

Thursday nights from 5-9 p.m. the museum is open to the public with free admission.

The Unity Church on the Mountain is sponsoring a concert of sacred music and sacred dance for world healing with the famed multiphonic singers of Drepung Loseling Monastery on March 31, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. at the Von Braun Concert Hall.

more photos of Tibetan art    

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