Los Angeles Wave – Story Published: Mar 8, 2010 at 3:40 PM PST
Memorial honors 19th century immigrants buried near Gold Line
A memorial wall was unveiled Monday in honor of poor immigrants and others whose unmarked graves were discovered in Boyle Heights during construction of the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension four years ago. (Photo by Gary McCarthy)
By WIRE SERVICES
Jangchub Chophel praying at the memorial wall.
BOYLE HEIGHTS — A memorial wall was unveiled Monday in honor of poor immigrants and others whose unmarked graves were discovered here during the construction of the Gold Line Eastside Extension four years ago.
“Today reminds us that in the city of Los Angeles, history matters,” said City Councilman Jose Huizar, whose district includes Boyle Heights and who sits on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Board of Directors.
In 2005, workers widening First Street to make room for the light-rail line’s east portal discovered 174 human remains buried near the south side of the Los Angeles County Crematorium adjacent to Evergreen Cemetery.
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February 21, 2010 – 12:20 am
Tibetan Monks make 10th anniversary visit
Geshe Tsultrim is a sand mandala master on the 10th anniversary tour. Grass Valley was the first tour stop when Tsultrim first came to the United States in 2001.In January 2001, the first tour of Tibetan Buddhist monks from Gaden Shartse monastery arrived in Nevada County to offer a cultural exchange of sacred arts of Tibet and since that time the monks have returned each year to continue the annual tradition of constructing a sand mandala in St. Joseph's Hall.
The Sand Mandala is a Tibetan Buddhist tradition involving the creation and dissolution of a geometric design meticulously made from colored grains of sand. Upon completion, perhaps 100 hours later, the beautiful work of art is ritualistically swept away with accompanying ceremonies and the viewing is completed to symbolize the Buddhist doctrinal belief in the transitory nature of material life. Historically, the mandala was not created for the public and was not made with dyed sand, but granules of crushed colored precious and semi-precious stone such as turquoise, coral and lapis. The sand from mandalas is considered to be sacred and possess spiritual properties for healing, and helping the sick and the dying. Prior to laying down the sand, the monks draw precise geometric measurements. The sand granules are then painstakingly applied using small tubes, funnels, and scrapers, until the delicate and intricate pattern is achieved. Read More »
February 20, 2010 – 8:52 am
Monks on a mini-visit here
By Chris Daley
February 18th, 2010
Democrat staff writer
“Just chill out!” is how we might say it when advising someone to slow down, relax, let go. Venerable Geshe Laram Sonom, a Tibetan Buddhist monk put it a bit differently Wednesday afternoon during a visit to the Cozmic Cafe in Placerville.
On the 10th anniversary of their annual tour to several California foothill communities, four monks of the Gaden Shartse Monastery in India presented two special ceremonies on “Healing for troubled times,” which could also be translated as “healing for troubled minds.” Read More »
My name is Chophel and I am one of the Monks from the Gaden Shartse Tour. The Tour has been visiting the United States since 1989 to fulfill their mission of helping to spread peace, compassion, and tolerance through cultural exchange, interfaith dialog, and Buddhist teachings. Along the way we are meeting thousands of wonderful friends and thought that it would be a good idea to create a blog to keep in touch as we move about the country. This is meant to be an interactive site, so please feel free to contribute. We hope that this will help us to build a community based upon compassion, tolerance, and healing.
