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Living
Traditions from a Forgotten Kingdom
A Benefit for the Bön Children's Home
Dolanji, India
Presented At
The Center for Contemporary Arts, Santa Fe
January 22nd—25th, 2004
Santa Fe is about to witness an extraordinary convergence of three remarkable men, whose lives are bonded to Tibet’s ancient past, the lost Kingdom of Zhang Zhung.
From eastern Tibet, comes Latri Khempo Nyima Dakpa Rinpoche, a Bön Abbott. Bön is a pre-Buddhist spiritual tradition tracing its roots back through the ancient Kingdom of Zhang Zhung, to the earliest Tantric teachings of Tonpa Shenrab. Rinpoche will make a Smoke Offering for Purification and World Peace; teach a two-day Dzogchen Tantric healing practice, The Red Garuda; with additional talks and video footage of ancient mask dances and ceremonies in Dolanji.
From the West comes Tibetologist John Vincent Bellezza, daring American explorer and Tibetologist, who is changing the curriculum of Tibetan Studies. He has spent over 20 years exploring and researching the lost Kingdom of Zhang Zhung, in the highest and most remote areas of Tibet's High Plateau. Bellezza will give two talks relating to ancient civilization in Tibet and the challenges of life as an explorer.
Visual artist Losang Gyatso, born in Lhasa to a distinguished family, is a contemporary artist, helping spearhead a worldwide movement of innovative Tibetan expression. Gyatso explores the complex fabric of Tibetan identity by interweaving the spiritual and physical realms. He draws inspiration from both pre-Buddhist and Buddhist worldviews. He employs powerful symbols, such as found in ancient Zhang Zhung rock art. Gyatso will exhibit his paintings and lecture on the Contemporary Tibetan Art Movement.
These men are coming to Santa Fe for a four-day symposium benefit for the Bön Children's Home in Dolanji, India. Nyima Dakpa Rinpoche founded the BCH in 1988 to accommodate Bön refugee children. Some of these children were orphaned and living in refugee camps in India, Bhutan and Nepal. There are an increasing number of new children arriving every year in Dolanji. The BON CHILDREN'S HOME accepts all of the children that arrive, and endeavors to provide housing, food, clothing and high quality education for each of them. Their existence is sparse yet rich through the efforts of the Dolanji community to rebuild their culture and pull it back from the edge of extinction. It is our purpose to help sustain the Bönpo people in their efforts and inspire your generosity by offering this symposium.