CHAMBER ARCHIVES

The Gyuto Monks of Tibet

Posted 02/12/11 by Fremantle Chamber

‘THE INFINITE PRESENT TOUR OF AUSTRALIA 2011-12’

 
The Dalai Lama’s Tibetan Buddhist monks based in Dharamsala, India,, the Gyuto exert an extraordinary spell over Australians. Touring annually since 1994, they continue to draw crowds wherever they go. Babies are born to the unique sound of their chanting, others find it helps with the myriad of daily problems and emotions, with sickness, depression, anxiety,anger and, of course, aging and death. In short, these gentle,powerful and happy monks offer unknowingly an experience of compassion, non-judgement, acceptance and love which speaks to all.

The Gyuto Monks have worked with well over a million schoolchildren in schools inspiring them with a positive sense of self, they often appear on news and commercial TV, their work has featured on ABC TV’s Australian Story, also Foreign Correspondent and they regularly turn up on radio, print and social media. This year alone, they have been nominated for a Grammy Award, appeared on Masterchef and toured with the Dalai Lama in addition to their normal touring schedule. Next year, 2012, will see the release of a documentary film about Gyuto Monastery with voiceover by Toni Collette and Professor Robert Thurman of New York ( foremost Tibetan scholar in the world and Uma’s Dad!).

It’s a fascinating phenomenon. Their first most successful Sand Mandala program in Australia happened in the West Australian Museum in 1994 yet they have rarely been able to return for over a decade due to funding constraints. In essence, these monks are refugees and their 600year old monastery of 500, most of whom are young monks, forms an essential vital core within the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon. Their presence in India remains shakily unsustainable thus they need to visit the west to secure support for the continuation of this ancient sacred tradition of the practice of non-violence, of peace. The exchange works perfectly – they bring us mental calm and we offer them material support.

Sponsors are sought to make this return visit to Western Australia possible. Naming rights and/or sponsor acknowledgements are available.

The local community needs help to make this happen – can you come forward?

The monks will be performing at the Town Hall from Monday 18th June 2011 until Thursday 28th June 2011 with an evening concert being held on Saturday 23rd June.