Taste of Tibet to offer food, tea

When the Dalai Lama visited IU last fall, the campus received a taste of Tibetan culture.

Despite his departure from town, however, the Tibetan Buddhist influence remains in Bloomington year-round with the Dagom Gaden Tensung Ling monastery.

In an effort to reach out to the community, the monks organize Taste of Tibet every year. This year’s Taste of Tibet is from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday.

The Taste of Tibet features authentic Tibetan dining prepared in the monastic style by the DGTL monks. A part of the community since 1996, the DGTL monastery offers classes open to the public as well as an annual meal prepared for Bloomington residents interested in Tibetan culture and cuisine.

Jamyang Lama, translator and monk at the DGTL, knows the monastic style of cooking firsthand.

“Before my training as a monk I used to go to the monastery (at home) to get tea,” Lama said. “Even though my mom is a very good cook, it always tastes better than the tea at home.”

Available at the Taste of Tibet will be their famous Tibetan tea. For those trying it for the first time, the tea is intentionally lacking sweetness, Lama said.

The actual meal will consist of momos, Tibetan dumplings – both vegetarian and non-vegetarian.

A common misconception of Buddhism is that they have stringent dietary restrictions. Other than a few spices, Lama said Buddhists can eat just about anything in moderation.

This allows them to make the non-vegetarian momos, which Lama explained are “spicy and made with a lot of love.”

About 120 people are expected to be served at the event and the monks will prepare food the entire day.

The event is a casual come, eat and go affair. Guests are not required to bring anything. The DGTL grounds provide a beautiful landscape that is worth exploring.
Anyone interested in attending the Taste of Tibet can RSVP to either dgtl@ganden.org or call 339-0857. There is a suggested donation of $15 for the dinner. The event will be held at the Gaden Khachoe-Shing monastery, part of the DGTL, 2150 E. Dolan Road.