Monks make peace prayers

By Rebecca Fraser
STUDENTS at St Paul Apostle South Primary School learnt how to live a good and happy life last Friday when the Gyuto Monks visited the school.
The “practitioners of kindness and compassion” are keepers of some of the most important traditions and rituals in Tibetan Buddhism and gave students a glimpse into their world as they spread some good karma and kindness. The eight Gyuto Monks were led by Gen Phende who entranced the students, making a sand mandala and offering some hands-on art workshops.
This year the monks were particularly concerned with world security so they helped to allay personal and global fears by making Mandala Protective talismans with the children, as a means of creating more peaceful approaches to daily life.
On his first visit to Australia, 76-year-old monk Phende visited the school offering inspiration, love and compassion.
Principal Pauline D’Astoli said Phende was a gentle, smiling giant who never lost his temper and was renowned in the monastery as a peacemaker.
She said this was the Gyuto Monks’ fourth visit to the school and they had developed a special friendship with students.
Phende showed students how to live a good and happy life despite life’s hardships.
“The day was a rare and magic opportunity for students and parents to connect with someone who carries the unmistakable stamp of a genuine tantric master, one of the original monks who practised in the old Tibet of the Dalai Lama which today is fading to a dream of a mysterious past,” she said.