Student monks from the Tsechen Shedrub-Ling Mon Gon Lobdra (Great Compassion Monastic School) in Lo Manthang are preparing to construct and then destroy a sacred Kuenrig Kiylkhor Sand Mandala in Kathmandu 17-19 January.

Sand mandalas are made of coloured sand and used to alleviate suffering, lessen bad karma and accumulate merit. The effect of sand mandalas is supposed to be spiritually therapeutic, and its destruction symbolises the impermance of worldly existence.

Sand mandalas are believed to bring benefits not only to the makers, but also to the donors and viewers, irrespective of whether the viewer is Buddhist or not. Normally these mandalas are created in seven days, but with permission from their Khempo, the students and senior monks are planning to complete this one over a three day period. On the final day, following the ritual prayers and blessings the mandala, in keeping with the Buddhist tenet of impermanence, will be carefully gathered up and kept, to be thrown into a river when the monks return to Upper Mustang in spring.

The Venerable Khempo Tashi Tenzin, Abbot of Lo Manthang will be available for an explanation of the mandala during the afternoon of the second day of the creation. He will also grant a special audience to visitors on the final day, immediately prior to the mandala's destruction.

Venue: Hotel Ambassador, Lazimpat.
No admission charge, donations for a winter school for monks will be accepted.