Tibetan Buddhist monks from Gajang Monastery, India will be in Durham performing a sacred sand mandala ritual leading up to this coming Canada Day weekend, June 28, 29 & 30.

Mandalas have played an important role in influencing modern Western science and culture. Psychology pioneer Carl Jung saw the mandala as an expression of the human psyche. The mandala has influenced pop culture, colouring books use them as a relaxation aid and the even the hit series 'House of Cards' featured the construction of a sand mandala in the White House. For Buddhists, the sand mandala is a two dimensional representation of the celestial palace of a Buddha or deity. Used as a meditation aid, each object in the mandala represents an aspect of wisdom forming an intricate map of the enlightened mind and ideal universe.

The mandala will take three days to complete. Made out of millions of grains of coloured sand, the mandala reminds us of the truth of impermanence. When it is finished, with prayers for peace and harmony, the monks will ritually disperse the sand mandala grains into the river where the water will carry the healing energies throughout the world.

Buddhists believe that viewing a mandala purifies past negative deeds, obstacles in life and in one's spiritual path. It is said to be of great benefit to those suffering from physical or mental illness. Mandalas are also believed to generate compassion and healing in the viewer's heart and mind. The place where the mandala is created will have protection from disruptions and actualize peace and prosperity. The healing power of the mandala is said to be so great that after the September 11th tragedy the Dalai Lama commissioned the construction of mandala in Washington, D.C. to help Americans in the healing process.

Founded in Tibet in 1409 by Lama Tsongkhapa, Gajang has had a long and important history as a Buddhist monastic university. The 1959 communist invasion destroyed

Tibet's monasteries and as hundreds of thousands of Tibetans to fled to preserve their religion, culture and lives, Gajang was rebuilt in southern India. The four monks performing the ceremony are all graduated Geshes from Gajang. The Geshe title is earned after roughly twenty years of studying Buddhist philosophy and is comparable to a Western doctorate. The activities of the monks and Gajang Buddhist Centre in Toronto support the almost two thousand monks at their home monastery.

The opening ceremony begins with Buddhist ritual chants, Thursday, June 28th at 9:30am at Sai Holistic Wellness 225 Garafraxa St. N., Durham. Mandala construction and other special events such as meditation instruction and teachings will continue until Saturday, June 30th 2:30pm when the mandala will be swept up and a procession will follow to the Saugeen River to disperse the blessed sand in the water. This is a rare opportunity to experience the mystical arts of Tibet in our own backyard. Multi-faith, multi-cultural and all ages this is a wonderful way to begin the Canada Day long weekend.

For more information on the event contact [email protected] or 519 261 0248

For information on Gajang Buddhist Centre contact [email protected] or 437 888 8864

source: media release, Sai Holistic Wellness