Tibetan Buddhist Sand Mandala Art & Cultural Exhibition

Sand Mandala is a unique and ancient art form that uses tiny grains of coloured sand to create an intricate design. Highly symbolic, the work of art takes days to complete and uses millions of grains of sand. At Mahamudra Centre, two Tibetan monks will create a Chenrezig Sand Mandala. Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion, is the manifestation of enlightened compassionate energy. The Mandala represents the abode of Chenrezig, and is said to bring compassion, harmony and peace into this world.

But the work of art is fleeting – after finishing, the intricate mosaic will be swept up in a closing ceremony and the grains of sand scattered into Colville Bay. The meaning is to awaken in the mind an understanding of the impermanent nature of material things. Pouring the sand into the ocean also blesses the environment, and each grain of sand becomes a seed of compassion in the world. This dissolution ceremony will be held from 10 am-12 noon on Monday 5 April.

Visitors are most welcome to watch the monks at work and see the mandala taking shape. Just drop in free of charge any time between 10 am-3 pm, 27 March-4 April 2021.