Seven Tibetan Buddhist monks will visit West Virginia University Wednesday, April 14, as part of their tour of North America.

WVU ’s Office of International Programs is hosting the group from the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, which was founded by the first Dalai Lama, Gyalwa Gendun Drup, in southern India in 1437.

Since then, the monastery has produced many renowned scholars in the field of Mahayana Buddhist philosophy.

For the past several months, the monks have been touring the United States to increase awareness of the plight of the Panchen Lama, their second-ranking spiritual leader.

Beginning at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, the group will create a brightly colored mandala in WVU ’s E. Moore Hall. The entire process is expected to take five hours.

Mandalas, also referred to as sacred circles, are drawings in three-dimensional forms created with sand and may serve as visual signs of prayer. The word,mandala,is a Sanskrit word that meansworld in harmony.

The monks will also lecture on the Panchan Lama during WVU ‘sIntroduction to World Religionsclass at 9:30 a.m. in 342 Brooks Hall.

That evening, they will perform theCham,a Tibetan Monastic dance that originated with the earliest Buddhist practices at 7:30 p.m. in 315 Percival Hall.

The Tashi Lhunpo Cham is unique in its detailed movements and costumes. Dance performances feature masked dances, sacred music, healing chants and multi-colored costumes.

There are many in the WVU community who are interested in Buddhism and Tibet,said Daniel Weiner, director of the Office of International Programs.We are a global campus, and it is important to provide students, faculty and staff with every opportunity to experience diverse people and culture.

The sand painting and dance performance are free to the University community. For more information, call Patricia Patteson, 304-293-6955 ext. 2.