Sand Mandala creator starts work on Tibetan artwork

The Tibetan Children's Education Foundation held an opening ceremony this morning at the Capitol, for the Sand Mandala Project.

The art inspired tradition dates back to ancient Tibetan culture.  Traditionally in ancient Tibetan times, when a community needed healing or rejuvenation a Sand Mandala creation would be requested.

As you can see from this YouTube time lapse, in today's time, master Sand Mandala creators travel the world to create these sacred works and spread an art influenced culture of ancient Tibet.

Karma Tensum, Tibetan Children's Education Foundation Executive Director, says, "He is creating this Mandala with the hope, with the good intention that it will bring about more compassion, more love in this area."

Beartooth NBC’s Drew Steele, says, "It will take the monk four days to complete the traditional artwork entirely out of sand and during that time the purpose of the Tibetan Children's Education Foundation is to spread a cultural awareness." 

The creation of a Sand Mandala can take 2 weeks.  After it's completed, in this case 4 days, the monk will ceremoniously destroy the artwork.  This process symbolizes the natural transition of life and nature.

The closing ceremony will be held this Saturday at the State Capitol at 3:00 pm.  Tensum says they will disperse the sand used for the mandala to all those who attend.

Story by Drew Steele, Beartooth NBC.
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