Tibetan Monks to Build Sand Mandala at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine May 15, 2010

Visiting Monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery will begin constructing a Tibetan sand mandala on Saturday, May 15th at 4:00 PM at the Saint Boniface Chapel inside the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine.

A tradition of Tantric Buddhism, a sand mandala is a “painting” process where millions of grains of sand are laid into place using hollow pipes. The mandala is traditionally depicted as a tightly balanced, geometric composition wherein deities reside and it serves as a tool for guiding individuals along the path to enlightenment.

Viewing the construction of the sand mandala is free and open to the public. The times when construction can be viewed are:

Saturday, May 15: Opening ceremony at the Crossing of the Cathedral at 4:00 PM. Construction from 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM.
Sunday, May 16 – Saturday, May 22: Construction from 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday, May 23: Construction from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Monday, May 24: Construction from 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday, May 25: Construction from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Closing ceremony at the Crossing of the Cathedral at 6:00 PM.

Meditation and other activities will take place throughout the 10-day process. After the mandala is completed, the sand will be swept away and dispersed in flowing water.
For more information visit www.stjohndivine.org.

Official Website: http://www.stjohndivine.org