Monks create sand mandala Archived article from Oct 10, 2005

Credit: Nick Romanenko A Drepung Loseling monk, one of several creating a sand mandala painting, holds a metal funnel called a chak-pur in one hand, while rubbing a metal rod over its grated surface; the vibration causes the sand to flow like liquid. From Sept. 21 to Sept. 24, visitors stopped by the Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum to watch the monks crafting the sand painting, one of the highlights of the Dalai Lama’s visit to Rutgers. The Drepung Loseling Monks of India and their Mystical Arts of Tibet project seek to preserve and spread the traditional sacred arts and music of Tibetan culture. The sand painting “shows the primordially perfect balance of subtle energy of our body and subtle energy of our minds,” said monk Thupten Chosang. “Before we create a sand mandala, we select a site. We are very, very confident that this is the perfect place for us.” On the exhibit’s last day, the monks whisked away the sand after a 40-minute ritual. They led a procession to Johnson Park and deposited a portion of the sand into the Raritan River. The exhibit broke attendance records at the museum each day that week, drawing more than 3,300 people during the event, according to museum director Gregory Perry. “It was a very positive experience,” Perry said.

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