A group of six Tibetan Buddhist monks will construct a sand mandala, an art work representing a house of the Buddha of compassion, at Morningside College.
The mandala will be constructed during the first week of September in the Helen Levitt Art Gallery, 3625 Garretson Ave., on the campus.
The public is welcome to witness the construction of the sand mandala, which will begin with an opening ceremony at 9 a.m. in the art gallery on Wednesday, Sept. 3. The construction will be available for viewing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Wednesday through Friday, Sept. 5. A dissolution ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6, in the art gallery.
The monks — Lharmpa Geshe Ngawang Lungtok, Geshe Jangchup Sangye, Geshe Lobsang Choedar, Gelong Lobsang Wangchuk, Gelong Lobsang Lhundup and Gelong Lobsang Wangchuk — are currently on a 14-month tour of the United States. The purpose of their tour is to support the needs of over 1,500 Gaden Sharte Monastery Tibetan monks living in exile in Southern India. Their appearance is sponsored by the Helen Levitt Art Gallery, the Morningside College Art department and private funds.
The monks will construct a Chenrezig mandala. Chenrezig is the Buddha of compassion, and the Dalai Lama is an emanation of this Buddha. The sand mandala will be two-dimensional and will require between 75 and 125 hours to complete. The mandalas are made of powdered and dyed stone, sand, dust, flowers and charcoal.
The sand is applied very precisely by means of tapping a metal cone that is filled with the colored sand and whose tip has been removed. The initial pouring of sand is performed by the master. The mandala’s outline is first delineated by holding string that is dipped in chalk and snapped on the appropriate places. In upholding the Buddhist principle that life is transient, the finished art work will be purposely destroyed by the monks during the dissolution ceremony.
The monks will take part in several other activities during their stay in Sioux City. They will offer a sacred dance and chant performance at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, in the Colton Recital Hall at the Warren M. Lee Center for Fine Arts on the campus of the University of South Dakota, Vermillion.
The monks will give a meditation and teaching presentation at the Pho Mon Buddhist Temple, 511 W. 17th St., Sioux City, on Friday, Sept. 5. The time will be announced at a later date.
They will give a teaching presentation at First Unitarian Church, 2508 Jackson St., Sioux City, at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 7.
The monks will be available for private astrological readings and healings, and house and business blessings. To schedule a private session with the monks, contact Ibu Nooney at (712) 255-6510.
