The Gyuto monks have set off from their monastery, the Gyuto Tantric University, in northern India, almost every year since the 1980s to present to the world the sacred Tibetan Buddhist tradition of polyphonic chanting that dates back over 500 years. They were 'discovered' by famed scholar Huston Smith who brought them to Europe and then were invited to the US by Grateful Dead percussionist, Mickey Hart. They have been featured on Hart's recordings as well as the soundtracks for the films "Kundun" and "Seven Years in Tibet". They are currently in the midst of another multi-city tour of the US, sharing their warmth and prayers for peace with everyone they meet, Producer Julie Adler joins in while they stop for an overnight at Tibet Connection's own Sarah Wilkinson's house in Los Angeles.
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Piece Description
The Gyuto monks have set off from their monastery, the Gyuto Tantric University, in northern India, almost every year since the 1980s to present to the world the sacred Tibetan Buddhist tradition of polyphonic chanting that dates back over 500 years. They were 'discovered' by famed scholar Huston Smith who brought them to Europe and then were invited to the US by Grateful Dead percussionist, Mickey Hart. They have been featured on Hart's recordings as well as the soundtracks for the films "Kundun" and "Seven Years in Tibet". They are currently in the midst of another multi-city tour of the US, sharing their warmth and prayers for peace with everyone they meet, Producer Julie Adler joins in while they stop for an overnight at Tibet Connection's own Sarah Wilkinson's house in Los Angeles.
Broadcast History
Broadcast on KPFK 90.7 FM in Los Angeles on Friday, March 30, 2007 at 2 pm.
Timing and Cues
OUTRO: That segment was produced by Julie Adler for The Tibet Connection radio program, online at thetibetconnection.org.
Musical Works
| Title | Artist | Album | Label | Year | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sand Mandala | Philip Glass | KUNDUN. | Nonesuch | 1997 | 04:06 |
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John Hingsbergen
Posted on June 30, 2007 at 09:55 AM | Permalink
Review of Guess who's coming to dinner? The Gyuto Monks!
I enjoyed listening to this and learned a lot as well. This is a nicely-written and delivered piece that takes the listener someplace we've probably never been, into the world of a group of Tibetan monks.
Reporter Julie Adler displays a wide-eyed and seemingly youthful curiosity in her reporting and interviewing that is quite endearing. Her style allows the listener to feel comfortable wondering about these people who've chosen a very different path than that of mainstream Americans.
At 12:04 the piece is an odd length for a lot of public radio stations. I suggest that it might be best used in a locally-produced magazine show or as a discussion-starting "set-up" for a talk show on spirituality or world religions.
The interviews and the "sound " of chanting contribute greatly to the piece. I would like to have heard some more chanting, perhaps more toward the beginning of the piece. I would also like to have heard some interviews with the host family.