Mandala Sand Painting Closing Ceremony | Tibetan Monks of The Mystical Arts of Tibet
Schedule
Sat May 03 2025 at 12:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Allegany Arts Council, 123-125 Baltimore Street, Cumberland | Cumberland, MD
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The Tibetan monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery dismantle the sand mandala for dispersal in Wills Creek at Canal Place. Half of the sand is distributed to observers as blessings for personal health and healing.Mandala sand painting has its roots in the tantric legacy of Buddhist India, extending back more than 20,000 years. In Tibetan, this art is called dul-tson-kyil-khor, which means “mandala of colored powders.” The lamas painstakingly lay millions of grains of colored sand to create the traditional iconography of ancient spiritual symbols. They begin by drawing an outline of the mandala on a wooden platform. Over the next five days, sands are delicately poured from traditional metal funnels called chak-purs. Upon completion, the sands are swept up and placed in an urn. To fulfill the function of healing, half of the sand is distributed to spectators while the remainder is dispersed in a nearby body of flowing water to carry the healing blessing to the ocean; from there it spreads throughout the world for planetary healing.
Tibetan Monks of The Mystical Arts of Tibet is presented in partnership with the Allegany Arts Council.
CES is supported in part by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, and receives financial support from the Allegany Arts Council, and the City of Frostburg.
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Where is it happening?
Allegany Arts Council, 123-125 Baltimore Street, Cumberland, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
