The meaning behind the Mandala sand paintings
The Tibetan Buddhist monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery constructed a beautiful Mandala sand painting this week at FIUs College of Engineering and Computing. The monks…
Mandala Sand Painting Completion By The Monks of Drepung Loseling Monastery. (VOXXI/Juliana Barrera)
The Tibetan Buddhist monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery constructed a beautiful Mandala sand painting this week at FIUs College of Engineering and Computing.
The monks took about four days to complete the picturesque sand painting with the purpose to promote world peace and healing by sharing Tibet’s visual arts with modern audiences.
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Mandala sand painting
The sand-painted mandala is used as a tool for re-consecrating the earth and its inhabitants. The mandala sand painting begins with an opening ceremony, during which the lamas sanctify the site and call forth the forces of goodness. This is done by means of chanting, music and mantra recitation, and will be held on date at time”.
On the following days they lay the colored sands. Each monk holds a traditional metal funnel called a chakpur while running a metal rod on its grated surface. The vibration causes the sands to flow like liquid onto the platform.
Traditionally most sand mandalas are destroyed shortly after their completion. This is to teach the metaphor of the impermanence of life.
The process of the Mandala sand painting :
1. Opening Ceremony
Mandala sand painting ceremony.(VOXXI/Juliana Barrera)
The monks begin by consecrating the site of the mandala sand painting with approximately 30 minutes of chants, music, and mantra recitation.
2. Drawing of the Lines
Buddhist monks create a mandala sign. (VOXXI/Juliana Barrera)
Immediately after the Opening Ceremony the monks start drawing the line design for the mandala. This work takes about three hours to complete.
3. Mandala Construction
Mandala under Construction. (VOXXI/Juliana Barrera)
Throughout its creation, the monks pour millions of grains of sand from traditional metal funnels called chakpur. The finished mandala is approximately five feet by five feet in size, and takes three to five days of work.
4.Mandala Completion
Mandala sand painting completed. (VOXXI/Juliana Barrera)
The monks conclude their creation of the mandala with a consecration ceremony.
5. Dismantling the Mandala
Dismantling the Mandala.(VOXXI/Juliana Barrera)
During the closing ceremony, the monks dismantle the mandala, sweeping up the colored sands to symbolize the impermanence of all that exists. When requested, half of the sand is distributed to the audience as blessings for personal health and healing.
6. Dispersal of the Sand
Dispersal of the Sand. (VOXXI/Juliana Barrera)
The remaining sand is carried in a procession by the monks, accompanied by guests, to a flowing body of water, where it is ceremonially poured to disperse the healing energies of the mandala throughout the world.
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