The ancient art of Tibetan Buddhist butter sculpting was demonstrated Saturday morning at Baker's Treat in Flemington by the monks of the Gaden Shartse Dokhang Monastery in India.
FLEMINGTON -- The ancient art of Tibetan Buddhist butter sculpting was demonstrated Saturday morning at Baker's Treat in Flemington by the monks of the Gaden Shartse Dokhang Monastery in India.
Geshe Phuntsho said they often make butter sculptures for payers and offerings that differ in color, shape and size depending on the prayer deity they may be visualizing.
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The monks are the third group from the monastery to visit Hunterdon County as part of their 18-month Compassion Tour, staying each time with Flemington resident and business owner Wendy Richardson.
"It's nice here," Phuntsho said of Flemington. "We came during the right season. It's a cozy, beautiful town, and people are very interested in meditations and practicing good heart. Maybe the monk who have come here before have planted some seed. People here practice humanity, love and kindness and good heart."
The group of eight monks consists of three spiritual masters, a chant master, a ritual master, two sand mandala masters and an interpreter.
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They are making their way across the U.S. with the blessing of His Holiness the 14 Dalai Lama to share their culture, practices and paths to inner peace and compassion.
Funds raised on this tour will help to build a prayer hall, dormitories and provide for the medical needs for the more than 2,000 monks of Gaden Shartse Dokhang Monastery.
More Events
Photos with the Monks - Saturday, Oct. 24, 7:15-8 p.m. at the Stangl Factory, corner of Mine Street and Stangl Road, Flemington Photography provided by Black Lab Studio and Imaging, 24 Main St., Flemington www.blacklabimaging.com. Recommended donation $20 for two 5 x 7 photos or one 8 x 10 photo.
Tibetan Cultural Performance - Saturday, Oct. 24, 8-9:30 p.m., at the Stangl Factory, Corner of Mine Street and Stangl Road, Flemington Recommended donation: $10 at the door. Join in an evening of cultural performance by the Monks of Gaden Shartse Dokhang Monastery featuring traditional chanting, sacred music, dialectical debate, and Tibetan Tea Ceremony. Bring the family for this beautiful cultural experience.
The monks will also be presenting the Oct. 25 service at The First Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hunterdon County on "World Peace and The Unity of All Religions" from 10:30 a.m. to noon. First Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hunterdon County is located at County Road 519 and Oak Summit Road, Frenchtown. See www.hunterdonuu.org for information.
Emily Cummins may be reached at ecummins@njadvancemedia.com Follow her on Twitter @EmilyACummins and Facebook.