From October 4–9, Tibetan Buddhist monks from Namgyal Monastery Institute of Buddhist Studies will construct a mandala (geometric religious diagram) out of different colors of sand in the Upper Atrium of the School of Business. Come visit the Atrium anytime between 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to witness the construction of this beautiful ritual object. At 3:00 p.m. each day, the monks will pause their work to lead a brief session of chanting and meditation. All are welcome to attend. More information about the event can be found on the mandala website.
Several additional events will occur on and off campus in conjunction with the mandala project, including an open house for all ages where people can sketch, color, and/or stitch a mandala while learning more about Buddhist traditions – Sunday, October 8 • 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at The Soil Factory (142 Ithaca Beer Drive) and 2:00–4:00 p.m. at the Business School Upper and Lower Atrium
Also, not to be missed is the visually striking dissolution ceremony on Monday, Oct. 9 at 4 p.m., when the monks will dismantle the mandala and carry the sands from the Atrium to the pond next to Muller Chapel. Venerable Tenzin Choesang, President of Namgyal Monastery Institute of Buddhist Studies, will attend this event and deliver a brief talk about the monastery and the teachings of His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama.
We hope you can join us!
Those with questions are advised to contact Eric Steinschneider, Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy and Religion, at esteinschneider@ithaca.edu, or Diana Dimitrova, Director, International Student and Scholar Services, at ddimitrova@ithaca.edu.