Monlam Prayer Festival

“This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophy. Our own mind, our own heart is our temple. The philosophy is kindness.” 

                       Dalai Lama               

The Monlam Great Prayer Festival, is the most important Tibetan religious event. It takes place every year in February, the first Tibetan month, along with the celebration of the New Year. It was established in 1409 by Tsong Khapa, the founder of the Geluk tradition.

Every year, during the Monlan week, thousands of monks gathered at various monasteries for chanting prayers and performing religious rituals. Traditionally, from New Year’s Day until the end of Monlam, lay Tibetans would make merry, monks stood on platforms to pray for the long life of the Dalai Lama while pilgrims from all over Tibet would join the prayers and teachings and make donations to the monks.

La Cura Gallery in Italy, hosted from 15th December 2017 to 21st January 2018 the first solo exhibition of Paolo Quadrini. Curated by Massimiliano Verdino and Ass. Cult. BAUHAUS, the exhibition featured 13 representations of the Monlan Prayer Festival.