U.Va. Performance Gives Glimpse Into the Lives of Tibetan Monks

July 15, 2011 — Monks of Drepung Gomang Monastic College in southern India will give a free cultural performance on July 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the University of Virginia's McKim Hall Auditorium.

The monastery was founded in 1416 near Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Its monks fled Tibet with the Dalai Lama in 1959, eventually settling in southern India.

The event provides a glimpse into the unique culture and music of monastic life where Tibetan Buddhist monks spend up to eight hours a day perfecting a chanting called "zogay," which uses a deep breathing technique to produce the harmonic overtones, notes and pitches to sing devotional chords and melodies.

The group is part of the scheduled performances for the Dalai Lama's visit this summer to Washington, D.C. The performance is sponsored by U.Va.'s Tibet Center, Asia Institute and East Asia Center.

Although the event is free, donations to benefit the monks will be gratefully accepted.

For information, call Tenzin at 434-466-7569 or visit the Tibet Center website.

Media Contact

Jane Ford

U.Va. Media Relations