The Indian government has by far been the most helpful and supportive of the Tibetan refugees. However, the Indian government will not recognize Tibet as an independent nation because of the threat that China poses. It's easy to shoot down from the top of the world. Tibet is located in the Himalayans, one of the highest regions in the world. During Friday's activities, a Tibetan peace mandala was created by monks from Santa Cruz's Healing Buddhist Monastery.
Monks use brightly colored powdered rock to create intricate geometrical patterns and designs.
Some mandalas can take up to seven or eight days to make. When you approach the mandala you should come with certain thoughts in mind to meditate on. After the mandala's creation it was dismantled through a special ceremony. The dissolution of a mandala signifies that creation, as well as death, are governed by cause and effect. UCSC is home to a chapter of Students for Free Tibet.