Photos courtesy of Gaden Shartse Monks.
By Claire Ninde
From November 12–21, 2025, Tibetan Buddhist monks from the Gaden Shartse Monastery in South India will visit Durango for Compassion Way Durango, a 10-day series of community events centered on compassion, healing, and cultural exchange.
The visit features the creation of a Compassion Sand Mandala, guided meditations, a Tibetan cultural night and dinner, children’s art activities, and opportunities for personal healings, astrology consultations, and home or business blessings.
The purpose of the tour is to share the monks’ rich cultural traditions, along with their spiritual practices and teachings on inner peace and compassion.
Funds from previous tours have supported the construction of new facilities at Gaden Shartse Monastery, including a debate hall and a health clinic. Additional contributions have helped cover medical needs, teachers’ salaries, and the daily expenses of sustaining the monastery.
All donations benefit the Gaden Shartse Cultural Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting the monks’ cultural and educational mission.
The following is a list of events associated with the monks’ visit:
Thu, Nov 13, 5:30pm: Opening Ceremony for the Compassion Sand Mandala – Dreams of Tibet, 988 Main Avenue
Fri, Nov 14: Public viewing begins for Sand Mandala creation – Dreams of Tibet, 988 Main Ave. (continues daily through dissolution on Friday, Nov. 21)
Fri, Nov 14, 5:30pm: Traditional Tibetan Dinner & Cultural Night with the Monks – Himalayan Kitchen, 992 Main Ave.
Sat, Nov 15, 10:00am: Stone Mani Mantra Painting, Sand Art & Tibetan Calligraphy Activities for Kids and Adults – Durango Dharma Center, 1800 E Third Ave.
Sat, Nov 15, afternoon: Walk-in Personal Healings or Astrology Readings – Dreams of Tibet (one day only) 988 Main Ave.
Sun, Nov 16, 9:00–10:00am: Smoke Puja & Blessing – Himalayan Kitchen conference room, 992 Main Ave.
Sun, Nov 16, 6:00–8:00pm: Sounds and Sights of Monastic Life – Video presentation at the Durango Dharma Center, 1800 E Third Ave.
Mon, Nov 17, 5:30pm: Compassion Empowerment – Durango Dharma Center, 1800 E Third Ave.
Tue, Nov 18, 5:30pm: Green Tara Empowerment, Guided Meditation & Dharma Talk with the Monks – Durango Dharma Center 1800 E Third Ave.
Wed, Nov 19, 5:30pm: Vajravidaran Healing & Purification Ritual – Dreams of Tibet 988 Main Ave.
Thu, Nov 20, 6:30pm: Compassion Guided Meditation – Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 419 San Juan Dr.
Fri, Nov 21, 3:00pm: Sand Mandala Dissolution Ceremony – Dreams of Tibet and Animas River, 988 Main Ave.
For more information on the events associated with the monks’ visit, see the Durango Dharma Center’s website.
Appointments available for all dates. Personal healings, astrology consultations, and home, land, or business blessings available by appointment. Maya Goodson: (512) 923-5616 or Julie Kostuch: (970) 799-0807
About Gaden Shartse Monastery
Gaden Shartse is a respected Tibetan Buddhist monastery dedicated to the preservation of traditional Buddhist teachings, cultural arts, and global peace-building through education and compassion.
Claire Ninde writes on behalf of Gaden Shartse Cultural Foundation.