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Fish Interfaith Center

Interfaith Baccalaureate

» 2024 Interfaith Baccalaureate Week of Events

The Baccalaureate service at Chapman University is not your traditional baccalaureate service: it features a deeply inspirational message for all graduates, whether secular, spiritual or religious, honoring each graduate’s search for meaning.

This year, the Interfaith Baccalaureate features a week of events centered on Tibetan Buddhist Monks in residence. 

Discover more details about the events below. 

2024 Interfaith Baccalaureate Service

Featuring the Monks of Drepung Loseling Monastery in India

Watch as the Monks of Drepung Loseling Monastery in India deconstruct the Mandala they have created throughout the week, providing a lesson on the Buddhist notion of impermanence. This spiritual ceremony for graduating seniors and their families will also feature music and student speakers. 

  • When: Thursday, May 16 at 7 p.m.
  • Where: Fish Interfaith Center
  • For graduating seniors and their families only

Graduating students are all invited, along with their families and Chapman students, faculty and staff. Graduates, register for the event on Chapman's ticketing website to ensure that you have a seat. Family and other guests are welcome to join the celebration without requesting a ticket, but please be mindful that seating is first come, first served.

For questions regarding the Baccalaureate service, please contact the Fish Interfaith Center staff at interfaith@chapman.edu.

Week of Events

Opening Ceremony for the Mandala

To kick off the week of events leading to the Interfaith Baccalaureate ceremony, watch the Loseling monks inagurate the creation of a sacred mandala through a captivating opening ceremony.

  • When: Friday, May 10 at 3 p.m.
  • Where: Fish Interfaith Center
  • Open to the public 

Community Celebration: Sacred Chants for Peace and Healing

This performance is comprised of selections believed to generate energies conducive to world healing. Utilizing traditional Tibetan instruments and chanting, the Loseling monks will offer ancient temple music and chants, offering the world healing and harmony.

  • When: Sunday, May 12 at 2 p.m.
  • Where: Attallah Piazza
  • Open to the public 

Continued Work on the Mandala

Mandalas are a Tibetan Buddhist's artform for reconsecrating the earth and its inhabitants, and represent the universe's interconnectedness and spiritual harmony. 

Throughout the week, the Loseling monks will continue their sacred endeavor of crafting a mandala from grains of sand, employing traditional iconography adorned with geometrical shapes and ancient spiritual symbols. Stop by the Center to witness the intricate beauty unfold before your eyes. 

  • When: Daily, May 13-16 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Where: Fish Interfaith Center
  • Open to the public

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