Monks back in Yuma helping raise funds

In their second visit to Yuma in two months, a group of Tibetan monks will bring some Buddhist teachings and culture from their homeland.

The seven monks will be the guests of honor Saturday at a daylong fundraising event at St. Paul's Cultural Center, 645 S. 2nd Ave. It will feature lectures and meditations on Buddhist spirituality, as well as traditional Tibetan chanting and dancing.

The event takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children.

Jay Clark, headmaster of Gateway Academy and the host of Saturday's event, will also speak "on the non-dual philosophy as it relates to self-knowledge and spiritual life," he said.

The organizer of the monks' visit, Stephen Shunmugam of the Babaji Kriya Yoga CLub in Yuma, said proceeds will cover expenses for a group of Arizona Western College students' travel to India.

"In Yuma, there are many cultural events around town, featuring Hispanic or Mexican cultures, American and Afro-American ... but nothing on Tibet," Shunmugam added. "I hope to raise funds for our trip while opening the eyes of the community to this culture."

The seven monks - named Kunchok, Tashi, Jamba, Jingme, Thupten, Tenzin and Losang - are from the Gaden Ngari Khangsten Monastery in Tibet. They previously put on cultural displays in Yuma in September in a visit hosted by Northern Arizona University-Yuma.

They were scheduled to arrive in Yuma today on their return visit.

For more information about the event, call Shunmugam at 343-1209.

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IF YOU GO...

Saturday's events at St. Paul's Cultural Center,

645 S. 2nd Ave.:

- 9:30 a.m. - Opening of events

- 10 a.m. - Introduction with Stephen Shunmugam and Chipa

- 11 a.m. - Spiritual chanting

- 11:15 a.m. - Lecture on Four Noble truths and question-answer period

- 12:30 a.m. - Refreshments

- 2 p.m. - Lunch break

- 2:30 p.m. - Traditional dancing

- 4 p.m. - Chenrezig empowerment 4 arms)

- 5:30 p.m. - Explanations

- 6 p.m. - Guest speaker