Chenrezig Sand Mandala

The sand mandala was created by the monks from the Namgyal Monastery, Dharamsala, India (the monastery of His Holiness Dalai Lama) in 1992.It took about a week to complete. Corrugated copper tubes are filled with coloured sand, and then rubbed or gently tapped to release a tiny flow of sand, as each part of the mandala is ‘drawn’. 

The Sand sculpture represents the mandala, or Universe of Chenresig, the Buddha of Great Compassion. The belief is that by creating this two dimensional representation of the Celestial Mansion and the Abode of Chenresig, based on very precise measurements passed down since Buddha’s time, the mandala attracts the energies of compassion to the place where it is created. Usually used for the purpose of bestowing initiations, sand mandalas are traditionally destroyed and placed in the ocean or rivers, to bless the waters and beings who live in or use the water. We have preserved this mandala so people can see what a tremendous work it is and benefit from the energy it attracts. 

It is said that even to look at one of these mandalas purifies a deal of negative energy and creates the cause to attain supreme enlightenment. 

Details of the drawing:

Outer circle represents a mountain of fire which protects from all obstacles and destroys the main enemy to happiness, namely ignorance of the true nature of reality. 

Inside of this is a ‘vajra fence’ for diamond-like indestructibility.

The mansion and grounds sit on a thousand-petalled lotus.

The mansion consists of four gateways and four doors. On top of the gateways is a Dharma wheel and two deer, as well as an offering to each of the senses of Great Compassionate One. 

In the center of the mansion is a lotus platform upon which Chenresig stands with his entourage of the Five Dhyani Buddhas. The lotus in the center is for Chenresig, who is in the family of Amitabha. The other four Dhyani Buddhas are Akshobhya, Vairocana, Ratnasambhava and Amogasiddhi. The Five Dhyani Buddhas represent the transformation of our five aggregates (form, feelings, perceptions, compositional factors, and consciousness) into their enlightened functions.

Surrounding the mansion is a beautiful park with wish-fulfilling trees, offering goddesses and so on.

For more information about Chenrezig please click here.