Ritual in Action: Making a Mandala Sand Painting

Tibetan monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery constructed a sand mandala in the galleries of the Frist Center for the Visual Arts. It will remain in place until May 7, 2017, when the monks will return to ritually destroy it. You are invited to attend this beautiful ceremony, which symbolizes the transience of life central to Buddhist philosophy.

Mandalas are circular designs that are intended to represent the universe or a cosmic order. The making of temporary sand mandalas is an expression of devotion unique to Tibetan Buddhism. This mandala is a diagram of the Bodhisattva of Compassion’s (Avalokiteshvara) celestial palace. As the monks filled in the mandala, they translated their internal meditations on the deity into this physical work of art. The ritual and resulting mandala invoke the limitless understanding of Avalokiteshvara and bring healing and well-being to all who see them.