Has Carrboro felt more peaceful than usual lately? It's probably thanks to these monks

The ArtsCenter in Carrboro welcomed the Tibetan Buddhist Monks of Drepung Gomang Monastery last week to construct a sacred sand mandala in the Nicholson Art Gallery.

The monks worked on the mandala over a five-day period that began May 15 as part of their Sacred Art Tour that has taken them up and down the East Coast of the United States. With this tour, the monks hope to create a greater awareness of the Tibetan civilization and the human rights abuses that they have endured from the Chinese government for over fifty years.

The invasion of Tibet by China in 1959 during the Cultural Revolution sent thousands of Tibetans to India as refugees, many of whom remain in exile in order to preserve their traditions and culture. The Drepung Gomang Monastery in South India serves as one of the bases established for refugee monks to pursue traditional monastic studies on Buddhist philosophy.

The ArtsCenter has hosted members of the Drepung Gomang Monastery for several years on their tours as they spread a message of world healing and peace. The Monastery said that the Sacred Art Tour aims to raise support for the refugee monks’ community in South India with food, health improvements and educational facilities.

Daniel Mayer, executive director of the ArtsCenter, believes the Sacred Art Tour brings greater cultural understanding for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community.

“This is an opportunity to learn first-hand about a different religion’s custom,” Mayer said.

The creation of the mandala began with an opening ceremony May 15 as the monks consecrated the Nicholson Art Gallery and called forth forces of goodness through chanting mantras to the beating of drums.

Over the course of the week, the monks worked on the mandala each day by pouring sand into the sketched design on the table. Once the mandala was constructed, it was swept away to symbolize the impermanence of reality.

Taylor Kinahan, an artist from North Carolina and an attendee of the event, came to experience this sacred tradition first-hand.

“It’s fascinating to be able to see such a beautiful art form come to life. The mandala takes you into another world,” Kinahan said.

Buddhist monk Jinpa Gyatso said that mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning “world in harmony.” It is carefully constructed from dyed sand particles to symbolize the traditions of Buddhism. The elements of peace and healing are reflected in the mandala through images of lotus flower petals, fire, and incense.

“The 64 lotus flower petals on the inner ring symbolize compassion," Gyatso said. "The flames on the outer ring represent the burning away of delusions to achieve enlightenment."

The monks are now set to travel to New Orleans where they will be welcomed by the Tibetan House to construct a new sand mandala and spread their teachings. Profits from the tour go toward funding the Drepung Gomang Monastery and providing services for its residents.