Buddhist monks from India will create a World Peace Mandala, an age-old ritual sand art form that reflects one of the most profound tenets in Buddhism—
impermanence—from November 9 to 13. Taking place at Redding’s Mark Twain Library, the Allen and Helen Hermes Art program is brought to the library by Redding’s Tibetan Buddhist Center of Universal Peace. The mandala is being created to raise awareness and funds for the Sera Mahayana Monastic University, one of the seats of learning in Tibetan Buddhism.

“We are thrilled to be hosting such a unique event at the Mark Twain Library,” said Emily d’Aulaire, a member of the Hermes’ executive committee. “We think this is a wonderful opportunity to learn about—and appreciate—an ancient form of art.”

Using a metal funnel, the monks meticulously place millions of grains of brightly colored sand to form intricate geometric designs that contain ancient, spiritual symbols. The World Peace Mandala includes symbols from many different religions, and is intended as an offering of peace and unity.

The monks will be creating the mandala during regular library hours, with a break for lunch between 1 and 2pm. There will also be several special programs held during the five-day creation of the mandala, which will be held in the library’s rotunda. The monks will begin with an opening ceremony on November 9 at 10am. On November 12 at 11am, there will be a special program for children (registration required). At 3pm, Freyberg, a local yoga teacher and Sanskrit scholar, will perform a few Vedic chants. On November 13 at 1pm, a closing dissolution ceremony will be held and the mandala will be swept away and ritually returned to nature.

For more information, contact Maggie McIntire at [email protected] or call 203-938-2545. Location: 439 Redding Rd, West Redding.