Tibetan Monks Construct Sand Mandala at Mattie Kelly

[ItzKatzTime]

Today my daughter and I went to the opening ceremony of the Tibetan Monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery at Mattie Kelly Art Center. During the opening the lamas (teachers) consecrate the site and call forth the forces of goodness. This is done by means of chanting, music and mantra recitation.

They then used chalk strings to construct the pattern for the mandala. All week they will be working on this beautiful piece of art using millions of colored sand grains to form the image of the mandala. The art form rates as one of the most unique and exquisite.

The closing will be on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. when the painting will be dismantled. This is done as a metaphor for the impermanence of all that exists. The sands will be swept up and placed in an urn to fulfil the function of healing. Half will be distributed to the audience and the remainder will be deposited in Turkey Creek so that the healing blessing of the mandala may be spread throughout the area.

This morning was such a neat experience....I hope some of you are able to go.

 

[John R]

If you haven't seen a Mandala, it is truly an amazing experience. Good to see it early, then close to it's end to see the changes. Family friendly, and the monks love to interact with everyone, especially the children.

This one was made during Mountainfilm

video

 

[Carol G]

They were here a few years back, and because I was taking classes at OWC at the time, I got to witness the entire process, including the dismantling ceremony. I would often go sit for hours at a time and watch them construct the mandala. It was an incredibly amazing experience all around, and I still have some few grains of the sand left; I bring it out and sprinkle it around whenever I feel the need.

I know there is a lot going on this week, but if you have the opportunity, go and check it out, you will not be disappointed.

 

[Jim Tucker]

Very cool!

 

[GoodWitch58]

Oh, I wish I had known of this...I have seen them before. They are so cool and the process with the sand is awesome.

 

[scooterbug44]

Could someone please take a picture and post - I always manage to miss the monks when they do sand painting and it's so cool!

 

[ItzKatzTime]

Scooterbug, we will be going back tomorrow so I will take some pictures. I can't wait to see the progress they've made. My daughter just returned from Blue Cliff Monastery in New York where she spent two weeks with the monks and nuns and taught some lay people how to watercolor paint. She was there for a Creative Art Retreat.

They are the most loving and friendly people. Always have a smile on their face and the look of a child in their eyes. But when they start chanting you know they are so filled with wisdom and compassion.

There is a little table set up where they sell T-Shirts, bags, scarves, prayer flags, jewelry, etc. They give the money to the education of monks. You can even adopt a monk by helping donate to his going to school. I bought a neat bracelet they made and a bumper sticker and T-Shirt that says...FREE TIBET.

Bye for now....Kat

 

[ItzKatzTime]

I thought I could make it over there today....but I have a family emergency. Tomorrow I go out of town so I may miss seeing it

I have a friend who may be going and I will try and get them to take pictures.