Medicine Buddha Sand Mandala:
Tibetan Sacred Harmony World Peace Tour
With the Monks of Gaden Shartse Phukhang
CLOSING CEREMONY
February 1st, 2025
10am - 12pm
Mandala means literally "that which extracts the essence." There are many different types of mandalas used by Tibetan Buddhists. Sand mandalas are without doubt the most creative, labor and concentration intensive of all mandalas created. Sand mandalas represents the architectural layout of the entire celestial palace of a specific deity. The Menla mandala represents the dwelling of the Medicine Buddha, who embodies the perfection of the physical and mental health of all beings. There are multilayered symbolic images throughout the “palace,” where iconography, placement, and color all have significance. Additionally, to the learned Tibetan Buddhist monk, the mandala represents his vision of the entire universe. Colored sand is applied very precisely by the gentle rubbing of a sandfilled metal cone that has had its tip removed. The Master must be the first to initiate the mandala, and does so by placing the first drops of sand. The outline of the mandala is defined with a compass and scale ruler and must have exact measurements.
During the closing ceremony, the monks will dissolve the completed mandala, illustrating the Buddha’s teachings of impermanence. After sweeping up the mandala, they will place the sand in the nature to purify and protect the the surrounding environment. Participants will be invited to join the monks in Tanaduk garden to disperse the sand and will be able to take a small bag of colored sand to bring the healing blessings into their own homes.
If you would like to stay for lunch, please either bring your own picnic or a dish to share in a group potluck.
THE MONKS OF GADEN SHARTSE PHUKANG
