From Dec. 15th to 18th 2022, Chakhung Lama Tsewang Rinpoche was in Sydney to hold a sand mandala practice and exhibition for the local devotees and residents. Rinpoche constructed a special sand mandala of Mahamaya peaceful deities over a period of two and a half days. To construct this sand mandala, millions of grains of sand were painstakingly laid into place in an intricate design using hollow tubes called chagpurs. The completion of the sand mandala is thought to enable spiritual awakening and psychological/emotional growth.
An exhibition of this sand mandala together with holy relics and treasures of H.H. Jigme Phuntsok were displayed on Dec. 18，2022 for people to collect extensive merit due to the power of the auspicious day of Dakini kurukulle. Following several prayers and the practice of Single Mind Kīla, part of the ‘Neck-Pouch Dagger’ (Purba Gulkhukma) Cycle by HH Jigme Phuntsok, the fortunate audience took the opportunity to create merit and manifest good karma by circling the shrine mandala and praying. The sand mandala was then dismantled in a ceremony in which the sand was swept to the centre, symbolizing the impermanence of all phenomena.
At the end of the ceremony, half of the sand was distributed to the audience as a blessing for their personal healing and health. The sand can either be kept on the altar of their home or be spread around the yard to protect their home and family, which can bring blessing for the entire region, even the entire planet. Pouring the sand into the water can disperse the healing energies of the mandala throughout the world.
More information about sand mandala:
The contemplation of a mandala is thought to enable spiritual awakening and psychological/emotional growth and, in Tibetan Buddhism especially, is believed to quicken one’s realization of the nature of the world and speed the process of enlightenment. The Philosophy of Sand Mandalas will make the experience of seeing one in reality a profound and the structure of the Universe, Wisdom and Impermanence, Nature of Enlightenment.
The mandala represents the human journey from ignorance to Buddhahood. One interesting thing about the process of mandala making is that, after the mandala is completed, the accompanying ceremonies and public viewing is over, the mandala is destroyed in one swift sweep. This represents the ultimate impermanence of all conditioned things. The sand is then swept into the rivers where it is believed that the river waters will carry the blessed sand far and wide.
For the beginner, Mandala serves as an object of Meditation to develop mental stability and clarity to reduce anxiety, frustration, worry and stress etc. It is a method to remind us to live in the present moment. For the artist, Mandala is an ancient Tibetan art that has many fascinating unique qualities such as background history, meanings and purposes that reflect value of our life and remind us to live happy and let other live happy too. Mandala is also used to purify and bless the people and the world from negative forces and to bring harmony and peace to the world. It is to remind us of the importance of educating the heart to become a warm hearted good human being to reduce man made problems that came from selfish narrow minded and greedy attitudes.
Photos of this event
