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Guru Day: Sand Mandala Livestream

Wednesday, January 28, 2026
9:00 AM 10:00 AM

Pure Land Farms Topanga, CA United States (map)

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Medicine Buddha Sand Mandala:
Tibetan Sacred Harmony World Peace Tour

With the Monks of Gaden Shartse Phukhang
January 24th - February 1st, 2026

We live in a time of profound global discord. Yet, within the ancient wisdom traditions of Tibetan Buddhism lie timeless pathways to restore peace and harmony both within ourselves and among communities and society. Sacred Harmony World Peace International Tour and the monks of Gaden Shartse Monastery Phukhang seek to cultivate intercultural understanding, peace, and healing through the transformative power of sacred sound, art, and Tibetan Buddhist teachings and empowerments.

Your donations for these programs support the Gaden Shartse Monastery which houses 450 monks including 100 Geshes, and their monastic college, with its 1800 resident students, teachers, scholars, and spiritual practitioners. If you would like to additionally volunteer your time or skills to support Pure Land Farms in hosting this special program, please write to info@purelandfarms.com.

THE MONKS OF GADEN SHARTSE PHUKANG

MEDICINE BUDDHA SAND MANDALA

January 24th - February 1st 2026

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 sand-filled 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. Upon completion, the monks will dissolve the mandala representing the Buddha’s teachings of impermanence. In upholding the principle of impermanence, the monks sweep up the mandala and place the sand in the nature to purify the surrounding environment.

On the auspicious days of Medicine Buddha Day and Guru Day on the Tibetan lunar calendar, we will be opening the Pure Land Farms livestream to give our international community access to the healing space of the mandala. The monks will chant and guide a short meditation and participants will be able to view the ongoing construction of the mandala.