Tibetan Monks' Residency

Immediately following the opening ceremony, the monks start drawing the line design for the mandala. This is very exacting work that takes about three hours to complete. Construction begins immediately following drawing of the lines.

Following the drawing of the lines, the monks lay on the colored sands, which is effected by pouring the sand from traditional metal funnels called chak-purs. Each monk holds a chak-pur in one hand, while running a metal rod on its grated surface; the vibration causes the sands to flow like liquid. The finished mandala is approximately 5 feet by 5 feet. View Mandala Construction Live Feed

Join the Tibetan monks on a short community walk through campus honoring compassion, mindfulness, and unity through shared presence and quiet reflection.

The monks dismantle the mandala, sweeping up the colored sands to symbolize the impermanence of all that exists. Half of the sand is distributed to the audience as blessings for personal health and healing.

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.

The Mandala is a sacred cosmogram used as an object of contemplation. It depicts the pure nature of the world in which we live as well as how we can live most effectively. By creating a sand Mandala we bring the creative energy of that sacred dimension into our lives and attune ourselves to this natural perfection. Lectures are approximately one hour in length and followed by a question/answer period.

Price: $17.50 + tax (adult 12 and up) $9.35 + tax (4-11 years) Free under 3 years

The menu may include (subject to change) Tibetan pork loin stir-fry, vegetable dumplings (pot stickers), butter chicken (jasha), barley pilaf, curry root vegetables, rice noodles, assorted flat breads, Himalayan rice pudding, and fried cookies (khapsey).