Work of fleeting beauty created by Buddhist monks at Worcester State University

Telegram & Gazette
·1 min read
Buddhist monks work on the sand mandala on Wednesday.
Buddhist monks work on the sand mandala on Wednesday.

WORCESTER - A team of Tibetan Buddhist monks is crafting a sand mandala at Worcester State University, with students and others monitoring their handiwork, at the Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery.

The colorful creation began Tuesday morning and is expected to take three days to complete.

Then, following tradition, after finishing on Thursday the monks will sweep away the mandala, dissolving the creation.

The destruction of the mandala is reminder of constant change, that nothing lasts forever.

Preparing colored sand for the mandala
Preparing colored sand for the mandala

The program was organized by the Lt. Col. James F. Sheehan ’55 Honors Program at Worcester State.

“The construction of a sand mandala is a beautiful, intricate, fascinating process, and I’m so glad our students will get the chance to observe it first hand, to meet these visiting monks, and to enjoy this rich cultural experience, all without even leaving campus,” said Cleve Wiese, Worcester State associate professor of English.

Lama Jigme Tenzin focuses on placing sand.
Lama Jigme Tenzin focuses on placing sand.
From left, Khenpo Tenzin Norgay Rinpoche, Lopen Rapjee Wangchuk and Lama Jigme Tenzin work on the sand mandala.
From left, Khenpo Tenzin Norgay Rinpoche, Lopen Rapjee Wangchuk and Lama Jigme Tenzin work on the sand mandala.
A Buddhist Tibetan altar has bowls of fresh water, rice, flowers, an apple and other meaningful items placed in honor.
A Buddhist Tibetan altar has bowls of fresh water, rice, flowers, an apple and other meaningful items placed in honor.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Buddhist monks create sand mandala at Worcester State University