Buddhist Monk Creating Sand Mandala at Addlestone Library

The Charleston Tibetan Society is creating a sand mandala in the College of Charleston’s Marlene and Nathan Addlestone Library during Piccolo Spoleto from June 1-3, 2017.

Tibetan Buddhist monk Geshe Lobsang Ngawang has come from the Gyuto Wheel of Dharma Monastery in Minneapolis to craft the mandala. He is using a variety of colored sands to create the Mandala of Chenrezig, which takes its name from a Buddhist deity representing the ideal of compassion. Each detail of the mandala holds significance.

According the Charleston Tibetan Society, the specific colors of white, yellow, red, green, and blue represent “faith, effort, memory, meditation, and wisdom.” Viewing the mandala is believed to transfer positive energies and bring individuals closer to Enlightenment.

He will be working in the library from 8 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on June 1 and 2. The mandala creation will conclude with a closing ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 3.