Tibetan sacred chant in Aberdeen church

The Aberdeen church which hit the headlines by appointing an openly-gay minister is now offering an evening of 'Masked Dance and Sacred Chant' performed by Tibetan monks.

In the wake of a recent multi-faith gathering to mark the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, involving a Baptist and Episcopal church another Aberdeen church is now hosting an event described as "a psychedelic whirl of chanting, dancing, drum, cymbals and processions.

As part of a UK Tour a group of performances which 'recreat the mysteries of the Tibetan Monastery' as eight Tashi Lhunpo monks offer a 'dramatic presentation of sacred dance, music and prayer with traditional costumes and ceremonial masks.'

The tour which commenced on 1 September in Aldershot is due to visit 'The Sanctuary' at Queen's Cross Church, Aberdeen on 21 November. The present minister at the Church of Scotland parish church is Rev. Scott Rennie who first hit the headlines in 2009 when he became the first openly-gay clergyman to be appointed within Scotland's national church.

Prior to reaching Aberdeen, the tour schedule lists appearances at the Findhorn Foundation near Forres and the Craigmonie Centre which is integrated with Glen Urquhart High School outside Inverness.

Founded by the first Dalai Lama in the 15th Century, Tashi Lhunpo is viewed as one of the most important monasteries in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. It has been described by the Independent newspaper as "…a window of time onto a magical universe of reincarnation and release…".

Footnote: The most recent interfaith event in Aberdeen involved the Aberdeen Hindu Association, Crown Terrace Methodist Church, Crown Terrace Baptist Church, Quaker Meeting House, St Margaret’s Episcopal Church and St James Episcopal Church and various other Faith groups.

The Editor, 14/10/2011