Mantras and Temple Life: Jangchub Choeling Nuns

The Heritage Museum of Asian Art was pleased to host an evening in collaboration with the TIBET center. Those in attendance experienced the Jangchub Choeling Nunnery on their first tour in the United States; they lyrically recited mantras, experienced their practice of Chöd (literally cutting through), and immersed themselves in a ritual performance

A Night Full of Spiritual Experience

After a brief introduction of the history of the Jangchub Choeling Nunnery, the nuns started the evening with lyrically recited mantras. Tibetan Buddhist mantras are words originally spoken by Buddha while deep in meditation. When recited, it helps to replace the internal monologue of the mind with calming syllables that purify karmic imprints, bring beneficial energy, focus the concentration, and offer protection and blessings.
Chanting a mantra can liberate a person, while chanting, one must transform and focus on thoughts. Attendees at this event got to participate in chanting mantras like: Medicine Buddha Mantra, Mantra Of Chenrezig, and Mantra Of Goddess Tara.

The Mantra Of Chenrezig- Om Mani Padme Hum is a great six syllable mantra invoking the embodiment of compassion.

Om symbolizes the practitioner's impure body, speech, and mind. It can also symbolize the pure body, speech, and mind of Buddha. Mani, meaning jewel symbolizes the factors of method- the altruistic intention to become enlightened, compassion, and love. Padme, meaning lotus, symbolizes wisdom. Though there are many interpretations of wisdom the main idea of most is wisdom realizing emptiness. The final syllable Hum, indicates indivisibility. According to the sutra system, this indivisibility of method and wisdom refers to wisdom affected by method and method affected by wisdom. The mantra Om Mani Padme Hum means that dependence on the practice of a path which is an indivisible union of method and wisdom, you can transform your impure body, speech and mind into the pure exalted body, speech, and mind of Buddha.

Visitors in attendance experienced the practice of Chöd, which translates to (cutting through) involves offering one's body through chanting, music, and visualization. This practice is aimed as cutting through hindrances and obscurities that can interrupt ultimate wisdom and the understanding of emptiness. Chöd enables the practitioner to “cut through” their anger, jealousy, fear, and attachment while also the duality of seeing themselves as a separate entity in order to translate unwanted circumstances into opportunities for awakening.

Ending the night, the Jangchub Choeling Nunnery performed the Dakini Dance. Dakini is translated into sky dancers. It is the most sacred aspect of the feminine principle of Tibetan Buddhism. The two dancers performed Dakini in unision with double-headed drums in Dakini costumes.

About the Jangchub Choeling Nuns

The Jangchub Choeling Nunnery was founded in 1987 in South India. Since then, the Nunnery has been a site of philosophical education and training for women of all ages who wish to pursue the study of Buddhist scriptures. At Jangchub Choeling, over 200 students from ages 9 to 76 study philosophy, grammar, poetry, and science, with some studying to attain the Geshema degree, equivalent to a PhD in Tibetan Buddhism and requiring rigorous education, testing, and debate over multiple decades.

Dissolution Ceremony

Lama Losang Samten and the museum visitors took part in a traditional sand mandala dissolution ceremony following its completion.

This sand mandala was created over the course of four days, while Buddhist rituals were performed in co-ordinance. Once the mandala was complete, visitors were given time to view and learn.

Following viewing, the sand mandala was swept away, as per tradition. This represents the impermanence of life. Visitors and museum employees were included in this process.

The remaining sand was collected and poured into the nearby Bubbly Creek by Lama Samten, with visitors observing. Tradition requires sand to be poured into flowing water so the mandala's healing powers may disperse around the world.

Lectures

Saturday's lecture focused on topics covered in Lama Samten's 2010 book, Ancient Teachings in Modern Times Buddhism in the 21st Century. Buddhism, one of the world's major religions, is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. Lama Samten dove into the teachings of the Buddha, offering an accessible journey towards greater joy and peace. The ancient teachings of Buddhism are encapsulated in what is referred to as the "Four Noble Truths," focusing on the concept of suffering and how to overcome it, and the "Eightfold Path," commandment-like steps to find enlightenment. These teachings emphasize the importance of personal responsibility, ethics, meditation, and self-awareness as the means to overcome suffering and achieve enlightenment.

On Sunday 14th November, closing out his four-day residency at the museum, Venerable Lama Losang Samten hosted a lecture covering Buddhist thought and meditation. Lama Samten detailed into the profound teachings of Buddhist philosophy and the art of training the mind to enhance happiness and focus. Visitors discovered how meditation can restore inner peace, stabilize the mind, and help manage the stresses of daily life. The lecture aimed to introduce listeners to Buddha's wisdom on concentration, meditation, and the concept of Enlightenment, offering basic yet profoundly beneficial techniques for cultivating a more joyful and serene mind

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TIBETcenter is a 501c3 not-for-profit Tibetan art and culture organization located in Evanston. The center endeavors to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of Tibet. The organization was founded in January 1999 with the blessing of His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama.

The HMAA thanks the Venerable Lama Losang Samten and the Chicago TIBETcenter for hosting a wonderful event. The HMAA also appreciates the support received from individual donors and organizations: DCASE, AFusion, ADG, and Fanluan Delivery.

Photographs courtesy of Jasmine Carter and Yufei Xiong.