Fear not – the Hare Krishnas have not foregone airports in favor of downtown Durango.

No, the gentlemen you may see strolling along Main Avenue and elsewhere this week are genuine Tibetan monks, the Gaden Shartse Monks of Mundgod, India, to be exact. “Peaceful Heart Durango” is the group’s third visit since 2006 and promises to be the busiest yet for the six-man delegation. Representatives of the Tibetan Refugee Settlement in Mundgod have been touring the U.S. since 1989. Their mission is twofold; to raise funds for the monastery, which is home to more than 1,000 monks, and to be of service through their traditional teachings and lifestyle of peace, harmony, compassion and tolerance.

“It’s going to be a wonderful week,” said Louise Edwards of the Durango Dharma Center, which will host a daylong “lo-jong”, or mind training, retreat Wednesday.

The monks will spend most of their time in Durango constructing the Chenrezig Sand Mandala at Open Shutter Gallery. The mandala, which is rarely conducted in the U.S., is a sand “painting” created from dyed sand particles that represent Buddhism traditions. The particles are laid with precision to form an intricate pattern of designs. This week, the monks will create a representation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Chenrezig; the Dalai Lama is said to be an incarnation of Chenrezig.

Tonight, after a second full day constructing the mandala, the monks will head to the Fort Lewis College Theatre for “A Journey to the Roof of the World,” a full-stage performance of sounds and dance. The presentation includes the monks’ famed multiphonic chanting combined with sacred ritual dances created to transform negatives into positive and harmonious conditions.

Wednesday’s lo-jong retreat will focus on the 11th century writings of Langi Thangpa, Eight Verses on Transforming the Mind.The Dalai Lama counts the book among his daily reads.

The Gaden Shartse Monks’ visit will conclude Thursday after another full day of mandala construction at Open Shutter. To symbolize the Buddhist concept of impermanence, Thursday night, the mandala will be swept up and offered as a blessing, and the remaining sand will be poured into the Animas River.

ted@durangoherald.com