Sunday, August 30 | 2:00– 3:30 PM

Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, Staten Island

Suggested: Adults $25 | Students $10 (No one will be turned away for lack of funds)

R.S.V.P. (Limited seating)

Join us for an afternoon celebrating the legacy of eight decades of the Museum and the 91st birthday of His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama, with archival footage shown publicly for the first time, a talk on Himalayan art, guided meditation, and a prayer flag dedication.

2:00 PM —  (In-Person Only) :: Special Museum Tour

An exclusive walking tour of the museum collections led by former Board member Kathleen Xi. Please meet outside; this segment is standing.

2:15 PM — Welcome & Leadership Introduction

Opening remarks from Brandon Perdomo, newly appointed Executive Director.

2:20 PM — Dual Birthday Celebration & Archival Sneak Peek

Honoring 81 years since the founding of JMMoTA, 79 years since its opening, and the 91st birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Brandon Perdomo introduces rare footage from the museum archives, shown publicly for the first time: excerpts from His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 1991 visit, and a 1988 film with voiceover by the late Professor Robert Thurman.

2:50 PM — Avalokiteshvara: An Art Connection

Himalayan art and culture expert TashiChodron on Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion.

3:05 PM — Mindfulness Meditation

A guided meditation led by His Eminence Gegye Yongyal Tulku Rinpoche.

3:20 PM — (In-Person Only) :: Prayer Flag Dedication & Closing Chant

We gather outside for the blessing and hoisting of sacred prayer flags, closing with collective mantra chanting for peace.

About our guests:

Tashi Chödrön , a lay Buddhist practitioner, is one of the first women of her generation in exile to receive the entire teachings of the Vajrayana path directly from HH Penor Rinpoche (one of the greatest masters of the 20th century). This training included Ngondro—the preliminary teachings, Tsalung and Dzogchen, the pinnacle teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, which emphasisethe direct realization of one’s true nature. This sublime path is the most direct path to awakening, focusing on recognizing our pure, basic goodness that is within each of us. 

As the Himalayan Programs and Communities Ambassador at the Rubin Museum of  Himalayan Art, Tashi is the host of the  Rubin’s popular weekly mindfulness meditation at New York Insight meditation center. She has taught a series of sold out Awakening Practice mindfulness meditation classes on selected Saturdays along with guest teachers, and educates university students and adults through gallery tours and classes on Himalayan Art and Culture.  Tashi curated and hosted popular monthly program on Himalayan Art and Culture called “Himalayan Heritage”prior to the museum’s physical space closing in October of 2024. During the Pandemic She also lead virtual sessions with Tibet House New York, the Center for Adults Living Well @ the YMCA, and hosted virtual meditation sessions for Mayors Morning Mindfulness and Prayers (audio only) including virtual Himalayan children Sunday virtual Mindfulness meditation since the pandemic to help Parents and Children and led a meditation session on the 21 Feminine Attributes for UN Women’s USA. Tashi  taught the Awakening Practice at Kripalu in partnership with NY Yoga and Life Magazine for many years and taught Awakening Wisdom Experience at Asia Society, Williams College, Baruch, Adjunct at Baruch and University Open Air at Brooklyn Public Library. She helped raise funds for Hospitals, winter warm cloths including raided funds for Heifer project founded by President Jimmy Carter for sustainable living for Tibetans in Tibet. Board of directors of UN Women USA, New York Chapter.  Recipient of gold star award from American Himalayan Foundation for tirelessly sharing and preserving Tibetan Culture Heritage. Tashi was Recently awarded a citation of honor by Queens President Donovan Richards Jr. for her tireless contribution to the New York Community.

His Eminence Gegye Yongyal Tulku Rinpoche is an ordained Buddhist teacher and a prominent leader in the Kagyu Nyigma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. He holds a master’s degree in Buddhist philosophy and has completed extensive meditation training. As the third seat reincarnate Trulku of Gegye Tashi Choling Monastery in Nyari (Mt. Kailash), he was enthroned as the Trulku of the second Gegye Yongyal Tulku Rinpoche at Gegye Tashi Choling Monastery. His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa conducted his hair-cutting and name-giving ceremony in India.

Rinpoche has mastered key areas of Buddhist philosophy, including Pramana Sutra, Prajnaparamita Sutra, Madhyamika Sutra, Abhidharma Sutra, and Vajrayana Tantra. He currently serves as the president of the Amala Center Nepal and the Himalayan Buddhist Center Australia. Since 2020, Rinpoche has been actively teaching Buddhist dharma and contributing to society. He is a revered lama in Tibet and China, focusing on the practical application of Sutrayana Buddhism, Vajrayana Buddhism, and modern Buddhist ethics. His teachings aim to cultivate loving-kindness and compassion, fostering personal transformation and bringing individuals closer to their Buddha nature.