On September 18–23, 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. Contemplative campus walks led by mandala docents will be held each day at 4:00 p.m. More information about the mandala can be found on the event website.
This year, the mandala planning committee has decided to organize several additional events around the theme of Buddhism and environmentalism. These include:
- A public talk by Cornell professor Jane-Marie Law entitled "Imagining Worlds: Buddhism, Mandala, and the Ecological Crisis" (Wednesday, 9/18, 6–8 p.m., Klingenstein Lounge, refreshments provided)
- A religious roundtable discussion on the intersection of religion and the environmental crisis, led by IC politics professor Juan Arroyo (Thursday, 9/19, 12–1 p.m., Klingenstein Lounge, refreshments provided)
- A screening of Ron Fricke's stunning film Samsara (2011), to be followed by a discussion with IC religious studies professors Rachel Wagner and Eric Steinschneider (Friday, 9/20, 6–8 p.m., Klingenstein Lounge, refreshments provided)
- An opportunity to work with IC Eco Reps to donate excess food from the Campus Center Dining Hall (Friday, 9/20, 7:50 p.m., in front of Campus Center Dining Hall)
- An open house event for all ages in which participants can sketch, color, and/or stitch a mandala while learning more about Buddhist traditions (Sunday, 9/22, 2–4 p.m., Business School Upper and Lower Atrium)
Also, not to be missed is the visually striking dissolution ceremony on Monday, Sept. 23, when the monks will dismantle the mandala and carry the sands to the pond next to Muller Chapel.
We hope you can join us for the opening ceremony in the Upper Atrium on Wednesday, September 18 at 10 a.m.!
Those with questions are advised to contact Eric Steinschneider, Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy and Religion, at esteinschneider@ithaca.edu, or Diana Dimitrova, Director, International Student and Scholar Services, at ddimitrova@ithaca.edu.