07/15/11 For the past week, “The Kalachakra for World Peace” has been held at DC’s Verizon Center. These photos were taken Friday afternoon among the vendors selling food and Tibetan goods from stalls set up along F Street behind the National Portrait Gallery. Tomorrow is the final day of the event.  Also on Saturday, President Obama will meet with the Dalai Lama at the White House.

From the web site:

“. . . from July 6 through 12, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, along with the monks of Namgyal Monastery and senior lamas, will conduct rituals which prepare and consecrate the venue. These include chanting of prayers, creation of the sand mandala and other ancient rituals.”

“What happens in Washington, DC, affects the rest of the world. Participating in this sacred ritual will generate the momentum for peace in a location of power; this will create an enormous opportunity to radiate harmony and goodwill throughout our world. . .  Ticket prices for all 11 days will be $475; this amounts to $43/day and is lower than the last Kalachakra held six years ago!”