Tibetan Sand Mandala

Dharma Light Tibetan Buddhist Association of Vancouver will create a Tibetan sand mandala at Clark College, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, over several days in October. This project is a beautiful and intricate time-based art form. According to Tibetan Buddhist belief, a sand mandala is meant to create a profound experience of compassion. The positive effects of a sand mandala construction are believed to radiate out over the entire region. The mandala is destroyed in the closing ceremony, as a lesson in impermanence. The opening and closing ceremonies will include traditional Tibetan Buddhist chanting and music. The closing ceremony will also include a procession to the Columbia River, where a small portion of the colored sand will be poured into the water. The schedule is as follows:

• Noon to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 2: Opening ceremony
• 12:30 to 6 p.m. Oct. 2: Sand mandala construction
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 3: Sand mandala construction
• Noon to 1 p.m.: Sacred Tibetan art presentation in the library, Cannell Room (LIB 101)
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 4 and 5: Sand mandala construction
• 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 6: Sand mandala construction
• 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 6: Closing ceremony
• 3 to 4 p.m. Oct. 6: Sand disbursal at Cable Stay Pier on the new Vancouver Waterfront