Tibetan Monks to Create Sand Art at the Watson Gallery in Naples
The Naples Art Association emailed a news release today to announce that eight Gaden Ngari Monastery Tibetan monks will create an intricate and sacred mandala sand art painting from June 5 through 9 in the Watson Gallery. It is the monks’ first and only appearance in SW Florida as part of their national tour to offer blessings from their rich tradition. From all the artistic traditions of Tantric Buddhism, that of painting with colored sand ranks as one of the most unique and exquisite. Millions of grains of sand are painstakingly laid into place on a platform to form the image of a mandala. The mandala that will be offered will be designed as a hearth mandala for protection of Southwest Florida during hurricane season.
The process will start with an opening ceremony from 10 to 11 am on June 5, which will feature visually and acoustically striking chants, music and mantra recitation. The week will culminate with a closing ceremony at 12 pm on June 9. During the closing ceremony, the high lama will put a line through the approximately 5-foot x 5-foot mandala to signify the impermanence of life. If requested, up to half of the sand will be distributed to the audience as blessings for personal health and healing The monks will then proceed to the sea in the tradition of pouring the sand in water, which disperses the healing energies of the mandala throughout the world. The general public is invited to witness both of the ceremonies as well as the creative process. An interpreter will be available to answer questions.
In addition, the monks will perform “Wisdom and Happiness: Sacred Music and Dance” on June 8 at 7 pm in the Norris Center auditorium. The performance features multiphonic singing, wherein the monks simultaneously intone three notes of a chord. In beautiful traditional costume, they utilize traditional instruments such as 10-foot long dung-chen horns, drums, bells, cymbals and gyaling trumpets. The sacred music and dances are performed to heal, purify and bless those that attend them. Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for students age 11 and older, with 100 percent of the proceeds helping support their monestary. For tickets, call 786-521-0890. Tickets also will be sold at the door.