Construction of the sand mandala in Elista continues

Today at the Central Khurul, a large “Chasum” ritual was performed in the morning, through which obstacles and various illnesses were removed.

The delegation of monks from Drepung Gomang Monastery continued building the sand mandala. Watching the patterns with Buddhist symbolism emerge from under the master’s hands to adorn the palace of the Medicine Buddha is like beholding a true work of art. Using special metal rods, the monks masterfully vibrate them to arrange the required design out of a million grains of sand. Here every color and every pattern carries a deep  sacred meaning. Painstakingly, without distraction, the master monks move from the center toward the edges of the mandala. Let us recall that a mandala is a flat geometric model of the palace of the Deity to whom it is dedicated. It includes a base, four gates, walls and other architectural elements.

Every day each of us can contemplate the progress of building the Medicine Buddha mandala, and this will certainly bring benefit to all sentient beings.

And tomorrow, on the 29th lunar day, at “The Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni” the “Kangso” ritual will be performed — a ritual of appeal to the Protectors of the Teaching, to our Säküsnäm. The clergy will make offerings in the form of torma and the golden drink Serjm, requesting that all sentient beings be granted a happy life. It begins at 9:00 a.m.