Pearl of the Snowlands: Buddhist Prints from the Derge Parkhang
This exhibition runs Wednesday, September 10, 2008 through Sunday, December 7, 2008
The White Droma's Wish-granting Prayer Wheel, woodcut on cloth
The Derge Parkhang (/dair-gay par-kahng/) is one of the foremost cultural, social, religious and historical institutions in Tibet. Founded in 1729 by Denba Tseren, the Derge Parkhang today is an active center for publication and distribution of Buddhist texts and images, preeminent examples of the Tibetan woodcut printing tradition. The exhibition's large, finely cut prints of buddhas, protective deities and tara, together with astrological charts, story prints and charms were specially printed from some of the 300,000 blocks in the Parkhang collection. They open a fascinating window into the beliefs, symbols and learning of Tibetan Buddhism. Photographs and video introduce the people of Derge who have preserved and revived the Parkhang's position as one of the most precious pearls of Tibet's living culture.
Opening and Gallery Talk:
Wednesday, September 10, 12:00
With Center Curator Patrick Dowdey. A luncheon buffet will be served.
Lecture: October 14, 4:30 PM
The Derge Parkhang in the History of Tibet, Tuesday, Gama Jiangcun, Professor, Kangding Teacher¡¦s College (Khamba University), Kangding, Sichuan, China.
Refreshments
Lecture: Thursday, October 16, 4:30 PM
What the Future Holds for the Derge Parkhang, Tsewang Jirme Rinpoche Director of the Derge Parkhang.
Refreshments
Gama Jiangcun¡¦s residency at Wesleyan is supported by a grant from the Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation
Tsewang Jirme Rinpoche¡¦s residency at Wesleyan is supported by the Edward W. Snowdon Fund