Traditional sand mandala created at Tulane University
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — A tour of Tibetan Sacred Art has come to New Orleans and anyone who wants to see it better hurry because the art won’t last.
“A sand mandala is originally a practice device. It’s something that meditators would visualize in their minds and visualize themselves passing through each level of the mandala. So, this is a visual representation of that,” said Philosophy Professor Karl Schmid.
Schmid explained that the art being made is a traditional practice made by Tibetan Monks who recently visited the campus.
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“In this particular case, the mandala is actually a visual representation of a palace,” said Schmid.
The mandala is also full of beautiful colors and meticulously created with sand in every hue of the rainbow. the theme is compassion and while the public gets to see the stunning work, the Monks also say they get satisfaction.
“The symbol of the compassion Buddha, I’m enjoying feeling this,” said one Buddhist Monk.
Their visit is being sponsored by the Tulane Asian Studies program but for followers of the faith, sharing the experience is special.
“It’s important to me because, oh I’m going to cry because it’s available for everyone to see this special event happening here,” said host Kayala Steede.
The spectacle has been open to the public since Feb. 19 and will remain open between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the campus library until Saturday, Feb. 24. Event officials say anyone looking to view the Mandala’s creation must get there early because an important part of the tradition is its dismantling.
“That’s the idea that everything comes into being and then one day will go away so that we should not become too attached to anything, even a beautiful artwork like we have being made behind us,” said Schmid.
The closing ceremony and dissolution of the Sand Mandala is on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 10:30 a.m. at the Howard-Tilton Library.
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