Medicine Buddha Sand Mandala with Sera Je Monks

The creation of a sand mandala is a rare and beautiful practice that requires extensive training in rituals. Over the weekend, the visiting Sera Je monks will be creating a Medicine Buddha mandala of healing and peace, and students and visitors are invited to come watch as the monks build this ritual artwork by hand. The "sand" is actually mostly colored marble ground to a powder, sometimes with other precious substances.

At 10:00am on Friday the 1st, there will be a very short opening ceremony (about 5 minutes).

On Sunday the 3rd, after the mandala is completed, the monks will perform a Medicine Buddha puja from 2:00-3:00pm. At 3:00pm, there will be a closing ceremony where, with a remembrance of impermanence, the sand mandala will be deconstructed and taken to a body of water to be dispersed. Some of the blessed "sand" will be available to attendees with instructions how it can be used in Buddhist practice.

The Sera Je monks are touring to raise funds to benefit the Sera Je Secondary School. In addition to accepting donations, they will have available for purchase a variety of gifts and Tibetan imports for sale.