Garrison, NY
Garrison - Franciscan–Buddhist Peace Mandala at Graymoor
Hosted by Holy Mountain Franciscan Retreat Center at Graymoor
- Dates
- · EST
- Location
40 Franciscan Way · Garrison, NY · 10524
- Admission
- Free, donations welcome
About this program
Franciscan–Buddhist Peace Mandala: Becoming Peacemakers by Cultivating Inner Peace
From January 5 to 10, 2027, six Tibetan Buddhist monks of Sera Jey Lawa Khangtsen Monastery will be at Graymoor, home of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, as part of their World Peace Tour. Over the week they will create a sacred sand mandala, laying millions of grains of colored sand by hand into a detailed image of peace and compassion.
Guests are welcome to watch the monks at work, sit in quiet reflection, and ask questions. Evenings bring a Franciscan–Buddhist dialogue, Graymoor's "That All May Be One" prayer for unity, a public talk on compassion in action, and candlelight prayer for peace. Saturday offers an interfaith peace circle. On Sunday the monks sweep up the finished mandala as a teaching on impermanence, share the blessed sand with guests, and carry the rest to nearby water to spread its blessings into the world.
The week is built around Graymoor's own rhythm of meals, Mass, and prayer, in the spirit of ecumenical and interreligious dialogue. People of every faith, and of no faith, are welcome.
Host's event page: Holy Mountain Franciscan Retreat Center is posting further details about visiting the monks and friars.
Highlights
· 6:30–7:30 PM
Opening Gathering: Becoming Peacemakers by Cultivating Inner Peace· 10:00–10:15 AM
Opening ceremony and first grains of sand· 6:30–8:00 PM
Franciscan–Buddhist Dialogue: Compassion, Peace and the Common Good· 6:30–8:00 PM
Public Talk: Compassion in Action· 1:00–2:30 PM
Interfaith Peace Circle· 1:30–2:00 PM
Mandala Dissolution Ceremony
Daily schedule
All times are local (Eastern Time, EST).
Mandala viewing hours
- 10:15 AM–12:00 PM, 1:00–4:00 PM
- 10:00–11:00 AM, 1:00–4:00 PM
- 10:00 AM–12:00 PM, 1:00–4:00 PM
- 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
- 9:30–10:30 AM
Show
Opening Gathering: Becoming Peacemakers by Cultivating Inner Peace
Ceremony
Opening prayers by the monks, a Franciscan welcome, short introductions, and dedication of the week to peace.
Tibetan prayers for peace
Chanting & prayers
Opening ceremony and first grains of sand
Ceremony
Mandala construction, open for viewing
Mandala viewing
Mandala construction, visitors welcome
Mandala viewing
Franciscan–Buddhist Dialogue: Compassion, Peace and the Common Good
Teaching & talks
Meditation and prayers with the monks
Meditation
Mandala construction, open for viewing
Mandala viewing
Mandala construction, open for viewing
Mandala viewing
That All May Be One: Prayer for Unity
Chanting & prayers
Graymoor's regular first-Thursday prayer for unity, with the monks of Sera Jey Lawa Khangtsen.
Prayers for healing and peace
Chanting & prayers
Mandala construction, open for viewing
Mandala viewing
Mandala construction, open for viewing
Mandala viewing
Public Talk: Compassion in Action
Teaching & talks
Franciscan and Buddhist approaches to serving a suffering world.
Morning prayers
Chanting & prayers
Final mandala construction
Mandala viewing
Family and community viewing.
Interfaith Peace Circle
Other
With monks, friars, and community members.
Teaching and meditation: How Inner Peace Becomes World Peace
Teaching & talks
Quiet candlelight prayer and meditation for peace
Meditation
Final public viewing of the completed mandala
Mandala viewing
Closing remarks and interfaith prayers for peace
Ceremony
Mandala Dissolution Ceremony
Ceremony
A teaching on impermanence; guests may receive blessed sand.
Procession carrying the sand to nearby water
Ceremony
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.
- Registration
Registration details to be announced
The host is posting further details about public events and how to visit the monks and friars. Check the host's event page or contact Kacey before planning your visit.
- 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- Questions?
Kacey, Holy Mountain Franciscan Retreat Center at Graymoor
Host organization
Holy Mountain Franciscan Retreat Center at Graymoor
A Franciscan retreat and conference center at Graymoor in Garrison, New York, devoted to prayer, hospitality, reconciliation, and renewal.
40 Franciscan Way · Garrison, NY · 10524
Host website