Seeds of Tibet
Tibetan & Himalayan Spring Festival
The Seeds of Tibet, a nonprofit organization in partnership with Borough of East Rutherford, Folklife Center of Northern NJ, and the Passaic County Cultural & Heritage Council is organizing a Tibetan & Himalayan Spring Festival in East Rutherford.
Join us for a journey to the “Roof of the World.” Today, we celebrate the arrival of spring—a season of renewal and joy. For the first time in our community, we invite you to explore the rich living traditions of the Himalayas through sacred art, festive performances, and authentic flavors.
Watch the sacred Sand Mandala being built grain-by-grain and explore the vibrant world of Butter Sculptures, Thangka Paintings, and master Wood Carvings. Meet a Tibetan Doctor for ancient healing wisdom, then enjoy high-energy music and dance performances. Complete your experience with a taste of the Himalayas, including authentic Momos, traditional tea, and more.
Location
When: Sunday April 12,2026
Where: 37 Vreeland Ave, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
Parking
Only street parking is available
Public Transit
For those coming from NYC, you can take 163 or 164 Bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal to Paterson Ave at Hackensack St, then take a 4 min walk to location.
Explore & Experience
Here is a quick look at the history and meaning behind our featured arts and performances. There will be more arts and craft vendors!
Sand Mandala
Known as dul-tson-kyil-khor, the Tibetan sand mandala is an intricate "colored powder" artwork representing a deity's celestial palace. It serves as a sacred meditation tool within Vajrayana Buddhism to help practitioners achieve enlightenment.
Thangka Painting
A Tibetan thangka (meaning "recorded message" or "unfolding") is a sacred scroll painting on silk or cotton, meticulously crafted to serve as a portable tool for meditation and teaching within Tibetan Buddhism.
Butter Sculpture
Tibetan butter sculptures are intricate 3D artworks hand-modeled by monks from yak butter and mineral pigments. Originating in 1409 as a way to offer winter "flowers," these vibrant figures of deities and nature symbolize impermanence and the path to spiritual merit.
Tibetan Doctor
Becoming a Menpa (Tibetan doctor) is a rigorous journey that blends medical science with Buddhist philosophy and ancient diagnostic techniques. This practice, called Sowa Rigpa, requires years of training to master unique methods like pulse reading, urinalysis, and herbal therapies.
Tibetan Wood Carving
Dating back to the 7th century, Tibetan wood carving is a spiritual craft originally used to decorate Lhasa’s earliest temples. This sophisticated art form evolved from simple temple ornamentation into a masterful blend of architecture and high-relief carving.
Tibetan Calligraphy
Explore the elegant art of Tibetan writing, where ancient scripts are meticulously inked to transform sacred mantras into flowing visual masterpieces.