3 P.M. The Gandan Shartse monks will consecrate the Webster University Center, call upon the energies and forces of goodness. This is done by means of chanting, music and mantra recitation. The lamas then begin drawing an outline of the mandala of Chenrezig on the wooden platform on Wednesday. The following days see the laying of the colored sands, which is effected by pouring the sand from traditional metal funnels called chak-pur. One monk will construct one quadrant of the sand painting.
Sand mandalas are impermanent art form.
Buddhism holds that everything in life is impermanent. Sand mandalas are destroyed shortly after their completion, illustrating impermanence. Many U.S. art students and artists groan at the destruction of the sand mandala after some much meticulous effort has been placed in its construction. The sands will be swept up and placed in an urn on Saturday. At the closing ceremony the sand will be distributed to those for healing.