LEWISBURG W.Va. (WVDN) – Carnegie Hall is honored to present The Mystical Arts of Tibet, a weeklong immersion into one of the world’s most profound spiritual and artistic traditions. From Sunday, September 20 through Saturday, September 26, the internationally renowned Drepung Loseling monks bring their acclaimed program, Sacred Music, Sacred Chants for Peace & Healing, to Lewisburg for a residency that blends ritual, performance, scholarship, and community engagement.
Endorsed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Mystical Arts of Tibet tour has become a global ambassador for Tibetan culture, sharing ancient practices that promote peace, resilience, and collective healing. At the heart of their work is the rare multiphonic chanting technique known as zokkay, in which each chantmaster produces three notes simultaneously, creating a resonant chord believed to generate positive energies for both participants and the wider world. Performed in traditional robes and accompanied by authentic temple instruments, these rituals preserve centuries old traditions once celebrated for days in monastery courtyards.
The residency begins on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. with the Mandala Opening Ceremony in the Old Stone Room, where the monks consecrate the space through sacred chants, ritual music, and choreographed movement. This ceremony marks the beginning of the creation of a Mandala Sand Painting, an intricate spiritual artwork composed of millions of grains of colored sand. Over the course of the week, visitors are invited to observe the monks as they work with extraordinary precision, laying down the design through a meditative process that has been practiced in Tibet for more than a thousand years. In addition to witnessing the monks’ progress, community members are welcomed to participate in a separate sand painting activity, offering a hands-on opportunity to experience the contemplative nature of this ancient art form. The creation of a mandala typically requires four to five days, and record-breaking crowds around the world have gathered to watch these luminous designs take shape.
On Thursday at 7 p.m., the monks expand the cultural experience with a free public lecture, “The Land of Snows: An Introduction to Tibet’s Rich Spiritual Culture and Sacred Arts,” held in Hamilton Auditorium. This presentation offers insight into the philosophical foundations of Tibetan Buddhism, the symbolism embedded in ritual arts, and the ways in which these traditions have been preserved and shared across generations. The lecture provides valuable context for the week’s events, deepening the audience’s understanding of the spiritual worldview that informs the monks’ music, movement, and artistic practices.
The centerpiece of the residency arrives on Friday night at 7 p.m. with the full stage performance of Sacred Music, Sacred Chants for Peace & Healing. This 90-minute program weaves together multiphonic chanting, ancient temple music, and ritual dance to create an unforgettable sensory experience. The rhythms and harmonies, drawn from authentic monastic ceremonies performed for thousands of years, are designed to cultivate compassion, clarity, and healing. Audiences of all ages have been captivated by the power of these sounds, which are believed to generate energies that benefit both the individual and the collective. Tickets for the performance are available at $45 for adults and $20 for students.
Throughout the week, visitors may also explore Tibet: Magical Land of Spiritual Wonders, an exhibition of twenty-one striking photographs on loan from the Tibet Image Bank in London. These vivid images—featuring sweeping landscapes, architectural marvels, and scenes of daily life—offer a visual journey through the cultural and geographic richness of Tibet. The exhibition serves as a compelling complement to the mandala creation and the monks’ performances, providing audiences with a broader understanding of the environment from which these sacred traditions emerge.
The residency concludes on Saturday afternoon with the Mandala Closing Ceremony, beginning in the Old Stone Room and culminating at Island Park in Ronceverte. During this moving ritual, the monks sweep away the completed mandala, gathering the colored sands into a vessel before releasing them into flowing water. This act symbolizes the Buddhist teaching on impermanence—the understanding that all things, no matter how beautiful or painstakingly created, are transient. The ceremony offers a moment of reflection and renewal, inviting the community to carry forward the week’s message of peace, compassion, and interconnectedness.
With its blend of performance, ritual, education, and visual art, The Mystical Arts of Tibet residency at Carnegie Hall offers an extraordinary opportunity to engage with one of the world’s most enduring spiritual traditions. All events, except Friday’s performance, are free and open to the public, encouraging the entire community to participate in this rare and transformative cultural experience.
To purchase tickets, call Carnegie Hall, visit www.carnegiehallwv.org, or stop by at 611 Church Street, Lewisburg, West Virginia. Carnegie Hall Box Office is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Carnegie Hall WV is a nonprofit organization supported by individual contributions, grants, and fundraising efforts such as TOOT and The Carnegie Hall Gala. The Hall is located at 611 Church Street, Lewisburg, WV. For more information, please call 304.645.7917 or visit www.carnegiehallwv.org.
