Tibetan Sand Mandala: The Reasoning Behind It

The Tibetan monks are back in Hampton for their annual sand mandala ceremony! Every year, the Tibetan monks of Drepung Loseling Monastery take a break from their full-time duties to show us the process and artistic traditions of creating the sand mandala.

The mandala, in Tibetan culture, is depicted as a geometric composition where deities reside. The deities serve as role models that a person chooses for Buddhist meditation on the path to enlightenment. Sand mandalas, unique to Tibetan Buddhism, are believed to effect the purification and healing. Usually, a great teacher chooses the mandala, and the monks consecrate the site with sacred chants and music.

The monks then make a drawing and fill it in with colored sand. Finally, the finished mandala is consecrated and, having served its purpose, is swept up and dispersed into flowing water.

According to Buddhist scripture, they believe sand mandalas transmit positive energies to the environment and to the people who view them. As the monks chant and meditate to the divine energies of the deities, they ask for healing blessings that also extends to the whole world. Dispersing the sand in the water is a further expression of sharing the mandala’s blessings with all!  

You can watch firsthand how the monks construct the mandala (and even try it out for yourself!) when The Mystical Arts of Tibet comes to The American Theatre on August 10-13! It's free to attend and open to the public!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
(FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC):
OPENING CEREMONY OF SAND MANDALA
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10
12–6PM; CEREMONY 12PM

CREATION OF SAND MANDALA
FRIDAY, AUGUST 11
10AM–6PM; OPEN HOUSE

CREATION OF SAND MANDALA
SATURDAY, AUGUST 12
10AM–6PM; OPEN HOUSE

COMPLETION OF MANDALA
AND CLOSING CEREMONY
SUNDAY, AUGUST 13
12–2PM; CEREMONY 3PM