Skillman, NJ
Skillman - World Peace Tour
Hosted by Princeton Yoga & Wellness
- Dates
- · EST
- Location
Princeton Yoga & Wellness
88 Orchard Road · Skillman, NJ · 08558
- Admission
- Free, donations welcome
About this program
Princeton Yoga & Wellness welcomes six monks of Sera Jey Lawa Khangtsen Monastery for five days centered on the creation of a Twenty-One Taras sand mandala. Tara is the swift, compassionate protector who answers those who call on her, and the mandala of her twenty-one forms is an offering of that compassion in action.
Visitors can come and go during open viewing hours to watch the monks lay the sand grain by grain. Each day begins with morning meditation and protector prayers. Evenings bring a teaching and discussion on the Twenty-One Taras, a screening of Mission: Joy, and an evening of Tibetan throat singing and Cham sacred dance. On Sunday the mandala is completed and then ritually dissolved, and the sand is carried in a peace walk to nearby water.
All public events are free, with donations gratefully accepted. You don't have to be Buddhist, and newcomers are welcome.
Highlights
· 7:30–8:30 PM
Opening Circle· 7:00–8:30 PM
Evening Teaching and Discussion: The Twenty-One Taras, Swift Compassion in Action· 7:00–8:30 PM
Film screening: Mission: Joy· 7:00–8:30 PM
An Evening of Throat Singing and Cham Sacred Dance· 1:30–2:00 PM
Mandala Dissolution Ceremony
Daily schedule
All times are local (Eastern Time, EST).
Mandala viewing hours
- 9:30 AM–12:00 PM, 2:00–4:30 PM
- 9:30 AM–12:00 PM, 2:00–4:30 PM
- 9:30 AM–12:00 PM, 2:00–4:30 PM
- 9:30–11:00 AM
Show
Community potluck
Meals & breaks
Opening Circle
Ceremony
Welcome, introductions, and an invitation into the week: the Twenty-One Taras and what the mandala offers.
Morning meditation
Meditation
Open practice, led by the monks.
Opening protector prayers
Chanting & prayers
Twenty-One Taras sand mandala construction, open for viewing
Mandala viewing
Come and go as you like; the sand is laid by the monks alone.
Mandala construction continues
Mandala viewing
Evening Teaching and Discussion: The Twenty-One Taras, Swift Compassion in Action
Teaching & talks
Circle-style, open to questions.
Morning meditation
Meditation
Open practice, led by the monks.
Opening protector prayers
Chanting & prayers
Twenty-One Taras sand mandala construction, open for viewing
Mandala viewing
Mandala construction continues, with a guided meditation session
Mandala viewing
Film screening: Mission: Joy
Film
Optional screening, shown with the kind permission of its director, Peggy Callahan.
Morning meditation
Meditation
Open practice, led by the monks.
Opening protector prayers
Chanting & prayers
Twenty-One Taras sand mandala construction, open for viewing
Mandala viewing
Final detail work begins.
Mandala construction continues
Mandala viewing
An Evening of Throat Singing and Cham Sacred Dance
Performance
Cultural sharing, open to the community.
Morning meditation
Meditation
Opening protector prayers
Chanting & prayers
Twenty-One Taras sand mandala completion
Mandala viewing
Closing Circle
Ceremony
Gratitude, reflection, and sharing.
Mandala Dissolution Ceremony
Ceremony
Public ceremony.
Peace Walk
Ceremony
Procession carrying the sand to nearby water.
Plan your visit
- Admission
Free, donations welcome
Public events are free; donations are gratefully accepted and support the monks of Lawa Khangtsen and the tour.
- Photography and recording
Still photography without flash is welcome during public creation hours unless otherwise noted. Please refrain from photography during closing ceremonies.
- If this is your first visit
You can come and go. You can sit on a chair or on a cushion. You do not have to bow. You do not have to be Buddhist. The monks may work in silence much of the day; quiet conversation around the edges is welcome.
Learn: I'm new — what to expect
Host organization
Princeton Yoga & Wellness
A Skillman-area yoga and wellness community hosting a five-day Twenty-One Taras sand mandala residency on the World Peace Tour.
88 Orchard Road · Skillman, NJ · 08558
Host website