By LISA MILLEGAN
Nine of a dozen visiting Tibetan Buddhist monks performed traditional chants and music one last time at Modesto Junior College on Saturday before bidding the school farewell.
The monks also brushed away the intricate multicolored mandala sand painting they had created since arriving Wednesday and passed out small plastic packets of blessed sand.
Mandala — a Sanskrit word — means “sacred cosmogram.” Mandalas are seen as tools for reconsecrating the earth and healing its inhabitants, event organizers said. Colorful designs include traditionally prescribed iconography of geometric shapes and ancient spiritual symbols.
Creating them takes several steps, beginning with carefully outlining the design, a process that takes about three hours. Over several days, monks pour millions of grains of sand into place using metal funnels called chak-pur.
About 250 people attended the packed closing ceremony Saturday in the art gallery.
The monks came from Drepung Loseling Monastery in India and are traveling the country as part of the “Mystical Arts of
Tibet” tour co-produced by Richard Gere Productions.
Earlier in the week, a monk gave a lecture in the MJC auditorium on the symbolism of the mandala. Friday night, the monks received a standing ovation from a full house for their “Sacred Music Sacred Dance” performance for world healing.
Yosemite Community College District Chancellor Pamila Fisher pronounced the visit a success.
“The emotional impact on the campus and the community members who were able to participate was profound. They brought a message of peace and hope that we all needed right now.”
Crystal Johnson, an MJC student who worked on a community mandala in the art gallery, said she enjoyed learning about Tibetan culture.
“I didn’t know anything until they came,” she said.
Bee staff writer Lisa Millegan can be reached at 578-2313 or lmillegan@modbee.com.
