Monks and a Mandala - An Extraordinary Weekend at Central Oregon Coast's Yachats

Published 02/12/26 at 7:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Yachats, Oregon) – The little town of Yachats – and those visiting – will get to dive into an extraordinary kind of peace this month.

Tibetan monks from Gaden Shartse Phukhang Monastery will return to the Oregon coast this month for a week of public ceremonies, workshops, and cultural programs in Yachats. The residency, hosted by the Yachats Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Lincoln County Friends of Tibet, runs Tuesday, February 17, through Sunday, February 22, at the Yachats Commons (441 Highway 101 North).

The visit centers on the creation of an Avalokiteshvara Sand Mandala, a sacred artwork representing the celestial realm of the bodhisattva of compassion - a lineage Tibetans associate with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Using metal funnels, the monks place individual grains of colored sand into intricate geometric patterns. Those partaking can visit the mandala daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This stunning and esoteric residency coincides with Losar, the Tibetan Lunar New Year, observed February 18 - 20. Evening ceremonies include the Sand Mandala Opening and Heart Sutra Puja on Tuesday at 6 p.m., a Tsok Offering on Wednesday at 6 p.m., and the Green Tara Puja on Thursday at 6 p.m.

Workshops and cultural programs fill the weekend. Friday features a 10 a.m. Lojong (mind training) workshop and a 6:30 p.m. Avalokiteshvara Empowerment Ceremony for Great Compassion. Saturday includes a Butter Sculpture Workshop, Tibetan Calligraphy Demonstration, and a Tibetan Cultural Night with chant, music, a Chöd ceremony, monastic debate, and Q&A.

On Sunday, February 22, St. Luke by the Sea Episcopal Church in Waldport will host Lunch with the Monks and a Meditation on Peace and Compassion at 12:30 p.m. The visit concludes at 4 p.m. at Yachats Commons with the Sand Mandala Dissolution Ceremony, a ritual emphasizing impermanence. Attendees will receive small packets of sand as blessings.

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All events are open to the public with suggested donations supporting education, housing, medical care, and sanitation at the monastery in southern India. Details are available at LCFriendsofTibet.org or by contacting LincolnCountyTibet@gmail.com or 530-748-9365. The Yachats residency is part of a three-week Oregon Coast tour that also includes programs in Lincoln City and Newport.

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