The University will host three Tibetan Buddhist monks from Namdroling Monastery in South India for the construction of a sand mandala in the Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery from Sept. 20-22. The esteemed Buddhist professor Khenpo Tenzin Norgay Rinpoche and sand mandala master Lopen Rabjee Wangchuk will create a circular sand mandala before dissolving it on the third day.
A sand mandala is a vividly colored, geometrically patterned 2-D representation of a 3-D sacred space, made out of precisely placed lines and piles of sand. The Lt. Col. James F. Sheehan ’55 Honors Program is presenting the monks’ work on the sand mandala, in this case representing Manjushri, the manifestation of enlightened wisdom.
“The construction of a sand mandala is a beautiful, intricate, fascinating process, and I’m so glad our students will get the chance to observe it first hand, to meet these visiting monks, and to enjoy this rich cultural experience, all without even leaving campus,” said Worcester State Associate Professor of English Cleve Wiese.
The Honors Program has organized the following three-day schedule of special events:
- An opening ceremony will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 20 in the Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery, followed by a 10 a.m. lecture with Khenpo Tenzin Norgay Rinpoche titled “Sacred Art, Sacred Space: the Meaning and Symbolism of Buddhist Mandalas” at 10 a.m. in the Student Center’s Blue Lounge.
- Open viewing hours on each of the three days from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Mary Dolphin Cosgrove Gallery
- Short talks and meditation will be offered on each of the three days at 3:30 p.m. in the Mary Dolphin Cosgrove Gallery
- A closing lecture and dissolution ceremony will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22 in the gallery.