Photo Slideshow: Medicine Buddha sand mandala

Buddhist monks from Drepung Gomang Monastery in India construct a Medicine Buddha sand mandala for mental (inner) and physical health.

Buddhist monks from Drepung Gomang Monastery in India use thin funnels filled with sand to construct an intricate Medicine Buddha sand mandala at Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Aug. 15, 2013. RNS photo by Sally Morrow

Buddhist monks from Drepung Gomang Monastery in India constructed an intricate Medicine Buddha sand mandala at Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. from Aug. 12 through Aug. 17.

Each day the monks worked hours to create the mandala with colored sand. Once the design was finalized, they brushed up the sand and threw it into Brush Creek during a closing ceremony.

This mandala was constructed for mental (inner) and physical health. The sand is thrown into the water so that intentions for good health can be absorbed by animals, the environment, and everyone on earth.


RNS photos by Sally Morrow

Click on any image below to view the slideshow.

Donate to Support Independent Journalism!

Donate Now!