This is a new area being developed by the festival and we are planning to continue nurturing it in future years.  The Dharma village will include a number of people with diverse skills and practices and will combine different elements to create a place where you can learn, refresh or just take time out. If you are an early riser, the Dharma village will be ‘the place to go’ to start your day with some yoga and/or meditation which will be followed up by a range of activities including Dharma talks, enquiry sessions, sand mandala making and singing and chanting workshops. The Dharma Village will also incorporate a chai tent and massage areas so you will even be able to get yourself a massage and a delicious cup of chai at the same time!

TENZIN CHOEGYAL & LAMA KHEDUP of Tibet

Lama Khedup is a Tibetan monk who is a master in the art of creating Sand Mandalas and various other monastic art forms of the Tibetan tradition. He has spent most of his exiled life in the Gyuto Tantric Monastic University in India and he has worked on numerous projects for the private office of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama as a result of his mastery of these ancient Tibetan monastic art forms. Currently he is the artist in residence at The Atisha Centre, Melbourne where he is helping to create one of the largest Stupa (Tibetan monument) in Australasia.

Tenzin Choegyal
Brisbane-based Tibetan musician Tenzin Choegyal’s voice and musical talents are uniquely beautiful, as he draws on his traditional Tibetan roots to create his original and authentic musical compositions. Born in Tibet, Tenzin escaped to Nepal and was raised in exile in Dharamsala, India. As a child, Tenzin would listen to his mother singing in the nomadic style of Tibet and he attributes much of his passion for his music to her.  Since his Australian debut in 1997, Tenzin’s cantering rhythms, extraordinary vocal ability and flute playing have become a fixture of the Australian World music scene. Tenzin has worked with numerous Australian musicians from many different genres including Riley Lee, Michael Askill, Ash Grunwald and Stringmansassy. His concerts often include education on Tibetan culture and history. Tenzin also raises aid through his tours for Tibetan monks in exile, as well as the Tibetan Children’s Village, a school for refugee children that he attended as a child.

At the Global Carnival ’08 Tenzin will perform solo as well as with the Lama Khedup. They will also be conducting workshops and guided meditations.

Sexton Bourke will lead early morning meditation.  He is guiding teacher at Tallowwood Sangha, Bellingen and also a member of the Australia Insight Teachers’ Circle,

Insight meditation and Dharma teachings, known as Vipassana in the Buddhist Tradition, have a single purpose. They point to a life of freedom and liberation. Insight meditation allows us to see the habitual patterns of mind that create confusion, anxiety and pain in our lives.  Utilizing the practices of meditation, mindfulness and inquiry we are able to see clearly into the nature of reality and live an awakened life. Join Rhada and Sexton for early morning medition and dharma talks