Buddhist monks from the Drepung Gomang Monastery in India for construction of a sand mandala

April 2, 2009: Today Patricia took me to see the Monks at the Kansas City Library.

Here is the link to the event.

http://www.kclibrary.org/event/contemplative-art-sand-mandala-construction

I copied these smaller pictures from the web site because I was interested in finding out how they began.

These are my pictures I took today:

So I am thinking that these guys travel all over with this exibit and stay for a full week, They must have backs of steel. It hurts me just looking at them.

Information from the web site about the event:

In cooperation with the Rime Buddhist Center, the Kansas City Public Library welcomes a touring group of Buddhist monks from the Drepung Gomang Monastery in India for construction of a sand mandala—a weeklong process that starts on Sunday, March 29—in Kirk Hall at the Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.

A sand mandala is an ancient art form of Tibetan Buddhism that replaces paints with millions of grains of colored sand to create a three-dimensional representation of the world in its divine form, which also serves as a map toward enlightenment.

The sand mandala construction will be preceded by an opening ceremony at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 29, in Kirk Hall—during which the visiting monks will consecrate the site by chanting mantras and playing horns and other musical instruments.

The visiting monks will continue building the Chenrezig (Compassion) mandala every day until 5 p.m. throughout the week, allowing for informal conversation and socializing. Drepung Gomang monks will also be selling unique hand-crafted Buddhist charms, with proceeds supporting their worldwide travels.

A closing ceremony at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, in Kirk Hall will include the free distribution of the blessed sand used in the mandala construction.

Drepung Monastery was founded in 1416 near Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. In 1959, before the Chinese invasion, Drepung Monastery had more than 10,000 monks. In 1969, 62 of the surviving Gomang monks were given 42 acres of land in Mundgod, south India. There they started to rebuild Drepung Gomang Monastery in its present location. Today more than 1,700 monks live on these premises.

The Rime Buddhist Center is a non-sectarian Tibetan Buddhist center dedicated to the cultivation of wisdom and compassion as well as promoting a harmonious relationship of understanding between both Tibetans and Westerners.

What a Wonderful experience to have. I am so glad Patricia took me. I will post a picture fo the wall hanging and bracelet I bought.

I would love to move my plans around Saturday to see them sweep up the sand. I am afraid I would cry.