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Category: Events

Songs of the Spirit: music to live by

Posted on February 5, 2023February 17, 2023 By admin No Comments on Songs of the Spirit: music to live by
Events, News

By MICHAEL LISI, Special to the Times Union
First published: Sunday, November 18, 2007

TROY — Remember “We Are The World,” the 1980s hit performed by a plethora of ’80s hitmakers that called themselves USA For Africa?

Or WOMAD, the ongoing world music tour inspired by Peter Gabriel?

That’s sort of what Songs of the Spirit concert series is like — without so many stars or any big hair. Sort of.

A celebration of unity through music, Songs of the Spirit is a spiritual melding of musical styles that seem to clash at first blush. I mean, who would ever think to mix spacey jazz with the chanting of Tibetan monks?

It certainly worked at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall on Saturday night. The three-hour performance — featuring Odetta, Hugh Masekela, Klezmatics trumpeter Frank London and Persian/Suri trance rocker Haale among others — was eclectic, spiritual, surprising and pleasing all at the same time.

From trombonist Craig Harris and his band playing psychedelic jazz behind the monotone chanting of the Tibetan Monks of Drepung Loseling Monastery to the sheer joy of the traditional Yiddish folk performed by London accordionist/singer Lorin Sklamberg, Haale and others, Songs of the Sprit soared.

And that was just the first half of the show.

The second half featured the spirited cornet playing of South African horn great Hugh Masekela, who was upstaged — much to his delight — by folk icon Odetta, who sang with passion after being guided on stage in a wheelchair.

The show, broken into two 90-minute sets with a 20-minute intermission, was interesting and quite accessible; the focus was on the musical genres, not the music or even the performers. Folk, jazz, blues, rock, klezmer, gospel, chanting, trance, and pounding African rhythms were all incorporated into the performance, which was intriguing and entertaining from start to end.

It helped that the performances were as visual as they were musical; the Tibetan monks took the stage in traditional garb, while the Shangilia Youth Choir of Kenya were dressed in colorful African-style clothing. Musicians joined each other on songs throughout the night; it was always a pleasant surprise to see the likes of London and Haale or Masekela and Odetta playing together.

Odetta took the stage last, coming on just before 11 p.m. The wait was worth it; this woman still possesses the fire and soul that made her one of the folk/blues greats of the 20th century. She may be in a wheelchair, but Odetta wasn’t feeble by any means. She got herself comfortable and belted out about 15 minutes of solid blues, including the lovely “Something Inside So Strong” and the saucy “Alabama Bound.”

Masekela was amazing, his dulcet horn tones simply lovely in a South African love song he said was called “The Love Bird.” He danced and chanted, sharing the stage with the Shangilia Youth Choir of Kenya, which opened the second set with 10 minutes of stomping and dancing, all to thumping drum beat.

Songs of The Spirit lifted the spirit and made for a memorable night at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall on Saturday night.

Michael Lisi is a freelance music writer from Rotterdam and a frequent contributor to the Times Union.

SONGS OF THE SPIRIT with Hugh Masekela, Odetta, Craig Harris & Friends, Frank London & Lorin Sklamberg, Haale, Tracy Grammer, The Shangilia Youth Choir of Kenya, and The Tibetan Monks of Drepung Loseling Monastery.

When: 8 p.m. Saturday

Where: Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, 30 Second St., Troy

Length: Two 90-minute sets, with a 20-minute intermission.

The Crowd: A diverse, nicely dressed, enthusiastic crowd of about 500, which enjoyed the sampling of world music served up in Songs of the Spirit on Saturday night.

Opening Ceremony of the Drepung Loseling Monastery New Temple

Posted on September 10, 2021December 31, 2021 By admin No Comments on Opening Ceremony of the Drepung Loseling Monastery New Temple
Events

On this auspicious day, January 07, 2008, Drepung Loseling Monastery formally went on line in a most pleasing and gracious manner. The official website, www.loselingmonastery.org, was launched by none other than His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. This auspicious occasion is yet another remarkable milestone in the glorious history of Drepung Loseling Monastery. Years of hard work and determination finally drew close to the grand finale—the inauguration of the New Temple by His Holiness the 14th Dali Lama. Indeed, graced by His Holiness the 14th Dali Lama, H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, and many other Eminent Spiritual and Political Dignitaries from all spheres and around the globe, the event served multiple global causes and provided genuine benefit to the Tibetan cause.

The Inauguration Ceremony of the Drepung Loseling New Temple was held in both the Tibetan Tradition and a formal Inauguration. Sacred traditional Tibetan morning prayers by a huge Sangha from around the World proceeded at 7 am. The New Temple was reverberating with sacred chanting of auspicious devotional prayers by the holy Sangha at 8 am. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama sanctified the New Temple by cutting the ribbon followed by further chanting of many sacred prayers in His Kind Presence. Loseling Monastery made traditional offerings to the sacred Sangha. The Formal Inauguration began at 10:00 am, graced by a great many eminent figures cutting across all lines of division. This great event was made possible by the Loseling Organizing Committee, headed by His Eminence T.G. Rinpoche (Member of Legislative Assembly [MLA] and Spiritual Leader of Arunachal Pradesh), and his concerted sincere efforts making this a grand and successful event.

Our Honorable Dignitary Guest List was of a very high caliber including the following who attended:

1.    His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
2.    His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
3.    His Holiness Dr. Veerendra Hegde, great spiritual leader
4.    His Eminence T.G. Rinpoche, MLA and spiritual leader of Arunachal Pradesh
5.    His Excellency  Shri Dorjee Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh
6.    Shri Kiren Riiju, Honourable Member of Parliament
7.    Venerable Lama Chosphel Zotpa, member of National Commission for Minorities
8.    Shri Tshering Samphel, member of National Commission for SC/ST
9.    Shri R.V. Deshpande, former minister of Karnataka State
10.    Shri Dharampal Negi, Additional Director General of Police, Karnataka State
11.    Shri Naresh Glow, MLA Arunachal Pradesh
12.    Shri Tsering Dhargyal, IASChief Secretary to Government of Andaman and Nicobar Island
13.    Shri Yeshi Tsering, IAS Secretary to Government of Meghalaya
14.    Tsechokling Rinpoche, Secretary to Government of Sikkim
15.    Shri District Commissioner, District of Karwar
16.    Shri Superintendent of Police, District of Karwar
17.    Shri Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Panchayat of Karwar and many other Indian Dignitaries.

Our Tibetan Guest Dignitaries include

1    Mr Ngawang Phelgye, Justice Commissioner CTA
2    Mr Karma Choephel, Chairman of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile
3    Fifteen members of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile
4    Venerable Professor Samdhong Rinpoche Chairman Kashag, Tibetan Cabinet
5    Venerable Tsering Phuntsok, Minister for Religios Affairs, CTA
6    Mr Gyari Rinpoche, His Holiness’s Special Envoy to U.S.A.
And many other high level Tibetan Dignataries.

Many other Distinquished Guests, who were unable to grace the occasion, sent their gracious messages for which we remain eternally grateful. These included

1.    Her Excellency Shrimati Pratiba Patil, the President of India
2.    The Honorable Vice President of India
3.     Her Excellency Shrimati Sonia Gandhi, Honnourable Congress President
4    His Excellency Rameshwar Thakur, Honourable Governor of Karnataka State
5    His Excellency SC Jamir, Honourable Governor of Goa
6    His Excellency Mukut Muthi, Honourable Lt. Governor of Pondichery
7    Her Excellency Shrimati Sheila Dikshit, Honourable Chief Minister of Delhi
8    Shri Subhod Kant Sahai, Minister of State for Food Processing Industries
And many other prominent spiritual and political figures

 

The formal Inauguration Ceremony was set in motion by a welcoming speech by Venerable Geshe Damdul Namgyal, followed by the unveiling of the New Temple photograph and the lighting of the All Illuminating Lamp by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Then, our Venerable Abbot, Geshe Lobsang Gyatso, welcomed all the esteemed guests of the event, particularly His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and other Dignitaries who graced this auspicious occasion. He recounted the background, genesis and successful completion of the New Temple and on behalf of the whole Drepung Loseling Monastery, extended his hearty gratitude to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and all the other kind supporters who made this Grand Temple a reality and to those who also provide perennial support to Loseling Monastery in all other vital areas.

Shri R.V. Deshpande, former Minister of Karnataka state, in his address, highlighted the positive aspects of Tibetans as being sincere, peaceful and hard working and pledged continued assistance to the Tibetan cause and for the welfare of Tibetans in Karnataka State in particular. With profound respect he acknowledged the rarity of the meeting of the two great Eminent Souls in His Holiness the Dalai Lama and H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Shri R.V. Deshpande also requested His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to visit Mundgod as frequently as possible. He hopes to turn Mundgod into a genuine World Tourist Center through the assistance of the Indian Central Government. He considers this holy structure, Loseling Monastery’s New Temple, a masterpiece and the serene environment around it quite soothing.

Venerable Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, Chairman of the Tibetan Cabinet in Exile and an Alumnus of Loseling Monastery, in his address, thanked all those responsible for the successful completion of the New Temple on behalf of the Cabinet and himself. So impressed by the New Temple, he wondered if it would surely be deemed the work of a miracle by our successors a century or so forward. Rinpoche also stressed the need to compliment the Temple with more concerted efforts in realizing the purpose for which it was built, and to enhance the smooth running of the noble spiritual curriculum of the monastery.

His Excellency Dorjee Khandu, Honorable Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, in his address, expressed his gratitude to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama for being a Champion of Peace, not only for the Tibetans, but for the whole world and in particular for the people of Arunachal Pradesh. The vibrant Buddhist culture prevalent in Arunachal Pradesh owes all to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. H.E. Dorjee Khandu, stepping further in his support to the many Tibetans living in Arunachal Pradesh, pronounced many upcoming plans meant for them. He also apprised His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of the many projects completed and extended a humble invitation to His Holiness to visit Arunachal Pradesh often.

His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, despite having a very hectic schedule (an important appointment at Hydrabad in the evening) made a point to jointly grace the Great Occasion with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, in his insightful address, referred to the Buddha Nature of Buddhism and the Shiva Nature of Hinduism, and interestingly, elaborated on how wisdom and compassion work in a wonderful way when complimented by each other. He aptly described a man of wisdom as a child in an adult body. He termed Corruption, Communism and Communalism (3Cs) as the greatest vices of the present day world. He also added that one who is anti-all is in the end anti-himself. He also explicitly expressed his profound respect for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and stated that he is totally against violence, and that only mutual understanding helps in the long run. He also believes that wisdom and compassion have no border and that ‘wisdom’ is the most feared weapon because it has strength and power. He referred to the monasteries as a breeding ground for ‘Soldiers of Spirituality’, benefiting the entire surrounding population by setting an exemplary life full of long term happiness through genuine spiritual practices and social welfare activities.

In between talks, we had the great privilege of having His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama release the Souvenir Booklet to those attending the ceremony and launch Loseling Monastery’s official website, www.loselingmonastery.org. In fact, an official website was necessitated by an ever increasing number of well-wishers and associates of Loseling Monastery, yearning to know about the Monastery’s past and present. So, this website acts as a catalyst in enhancing our increasing connection and understanding of each other. As a token of gratitude, Loseling Monastery also humbly presented Souvenirs to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and other Eminent Dignitary Guests for their kind support in making this event a Major success.

The Drepung Loseling Monastery, in acknowledgment for their outstanding contribution to the successful completion of the New Temple, presented, as a token of gratitude, some souvenirs to the members of the Construction Committee (for their more than 3 years of selfless hard work in supervising the construction), Mfar Construction Company of Bangalore for their exemplary quality construction and Geshe Lobsang Tenzin and his two close colleagues Ms Irene Syu-Lai Lee and Yeshi Phelgye for their over two decades of selfless unparalleled service to the monastery in general and, in particular, towards the successful completion of this grand New Temple. It is worth mentioning here that Geshe Lobsang Tenzin, PhD and Alumnus of Loseling Monastery is the Director of Drepung Loseling Center at Atlanta, Geogia, U.S.A. and has been the core nucleus of Drepung Loseling Monastery’s Fund Raiser to provide a stable foundation for the smooth running of the monastery for a long period of time. In fact, the Annual Mystic Arts of Tibet US Tour by our monastery, which propagates World Peace and Tibetan Culture, besides raising funds for the monastery, is his noble brainchild still blossoming under his perennial care for well over two decades.

As always, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, in his profound insightful address, referred to Drepung Loseling Monastery as a great seat of Advanced Buddhist Studies boasting a glorious history of several hundred years and producing a great many prominent outstanding Scholar-Saints. He graciously complimented the successful completion of the New Temple and reminded the public of the serious congestion problem which compelled Loseling Monastery to strive for a more spacious hall, where all the monks could sit together, and he thanked all those who had made this possible. Having said so, he clearly stressed the importance of genuine efforts for the study and practice of Dharma for which it is meant.

H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama expressed his deep appreciation to H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for being not just a spiritual Guru sitting on a throne but indulging greatly in practical social welfare services to the needy common mass. He also paid his warm regards to H.E. Dorjee Khandu, for attending the event from far Arunachal Pradesh and he recollected the sad memory of stepping into India in 1959 through Tawang Region located in H.E. Dorjee Khandu’s home state. Referring to Shri R.V. Deshpande and all those associated with the Tibetans here, he extended his gratitude for the support and hope for the continuation of the same.

As a grand climax to this momentous occasion, H.E. T.G. Rinpoche, on behalf of the entire Drepung Loseling Monastery, extended his warm gratitude to all those benefactors responsible for the Monastery’s taste of such a grand Momentous Occasion, especially to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama for all his great unparalleled support and guidance.

After the Great Conclusion of the formal Inauguration Ceremony, the Drepung Loseling Monastery offered a grand Luncheon to all of the participants of the event, estimated at 20,000 guests, coming from some twenty seven countries including Mainland China, Taiwan, Malayasia, the USA, Italy and many other European countries.  From South Africa to Chile all seven continents were well represented. Due to the sheer number of the participants, the luncheons were served at many spacious venues.

Drepung Loseling Monastery has been deeply honored to have received the Blessings and Teachings of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and to celebrate this Grand Occasion of the Inauguration Ceremony of the Drepung Loseling New Temple.  We express our deep gratitude to all our well-wishing supporters from around the world for being the backbone of this successful and joyful occasion and to all those joining Drepung Loseling Monastery in celebrating this great occasion.

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