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.
Buddhist monks from Drepung Gomang Monestary in India construct an intricate Medicine Buddha sand mandala at Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Aug. 13, 2013. RNS photo by Sally Morrow
The sand used by Buddhist monks from Drepung Gomang Monestary in India to construct an intricate Medicine Buddha sand mandala at Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Aug. 13, 2013. RNS photo by Sally Morrow
Prayer books and flags are sold to raise money for Drepung Gomang Monastery in India during a visit from Buddhist monks to Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Aug. 13, 2013. RNS photo by Sally Morrow
Malas, or beaded rosaries, are sold to raise money for Drepung Gomang Monastery in India during a visit from Buddhist monks to Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Aug. 13, 2013. RNS photo by Sally Morrow
A woman browses bells, prayer books and other items that are sold to raise money for Drepung Gomang Monastery in India during a visit from Buddhist monks to Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Aug. 13, 2013. RNS photo by Sally Morrow
Malas, or beaded rosaries, are sold to raise money for Drepung Gomang Monastery in India during a visit from Buddhist monks to Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Aug. 13, 2013. RNS photo by Sally Morrow
John Killip takes a photograph while Buddhist monks from Drepung Gomang Monastery in India construct an intricate Medicine Buddha sand mandala at Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Aug. 13, 2013. RNS photo by Sally Morrow
Buddhist monks from Drepung Gomang Monastery in India construct an intricate Medicine Buddha sand mandala at Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Aug. 13, 2013. RNS photo by Sally Morrow
Buddhist monks from Drepung Gomang Monastery in India construct an intricate Medicine Buddha sand mandala at Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Aug. 13, 2013. RNS photo by Sally Morrow
People wander in and out of an auditorium to watch Buddhist monks from Drepung Gomang Monastery in India construct an intricate Medicine Buddha sand mandala at Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Aug. 13, 2013. RNS photo by Sally Morrow
The Medicine Buddha sand mandala is constructed for mental (inner) and physical health. Buddhist monks from Drepung Gomang Monastery in India construct the mandala at Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Aug. 13, 2013. RNS photo by Sally Morrow
A monk from Drepung Gomang Monastery in India constructs an intricate Medicine Buddha sand mandala at Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Aug. 13, 2013. RNS photo by Sally Morrow
Buddhist monks from Drepung Gomang Monastery in India construct an intricate Medicine Buddha sand mandala at Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Aug. 13, 2013. RNS photo by Sally Morrow
Gandun from Drepung Gomang Monastery in India oversees the construction of an intricate Medicine Buddha sand mandala at Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Aug. 13, 2013. RNS photo by Sally Morrow
A monk picks up a singing bowl to demonstrate the sound. Bells, prayer books and other items are sold to raise money for Drepung Gomang Monastery in India during a visit from Buddhist monks to Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Aug. 13, 2013. RNS photo by Sally Morrow
Buddhist monks from Drepung Gomang Monastery in India construct an intricate Medicine Buddha sand mandala at Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Aug. 13, 2013. RNS photo by Sally Morrow
The mandala on the 4th day of construction. Buddhist monks from Drepung Gomang Monastery in India 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 chant before beginning the 4th day of construct on 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 chant before beginning the 4th day of construct on 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 chant and pray before beginning the 4th day of construct on 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 chant and pray before beginning the 4th day of construct on an intricate Medicine Buddha sand mandala at Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Aug. 15, 2013. RNS photo by Sally Morrow
Teacher Geshe Labsang Tseten changs with other Buddhist monks from Drepung Gomang Monastery in India before beginning the 4th day of construct on an intricate Medicine Buddha sand mandala at Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Aug. 15, 2013. RNS photo by Sally Morrow
A monk from Drepung Gomang Monastery in India constructs 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 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 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 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 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
The Medicine Buddha sand mandala is constructed for mental (inner) and physical health. This drawing shows the design for the sand mandala. Buddhist monks from Drepung Gomang Monastery in India construct the 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 work several hours each day to construct an intricate Medicine Buddha sand mandala at Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Aug. 15, 2013. RNS photo by Sally Morrow
A sign welcomes visitors to the closing ceremony of the Medicine Buddha sand mandala at Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013.
A visitor photographs the final Medicine Buddha sand mandala, constructed throughout the week by monks from Drepung Gomang Monastery in India, at Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013 just before the closing ceremony.
The final Medicine Buddha sand mandala, constructed throughout the week by monks from Drepung Gomang Monastery in India, at Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013 just before the closing ceremony.
The final Medicine Buddha sand mandala, constructed throughout the week by monks from Drepung Gomang Monastery in India, at Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013 just before the closing ceremony.
Community members gather to view the final Medicine Buddha sand mandala, constructed throughout the week by monks from Drepung Gomang Monastery in India, at Unity Temple in Kansas City, Mo. on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013 just before the closing ceremony.
Visiting monks from Drepung Gomang Monastery in India finalize the sand mandala closing ceremony by throwing the sand into the waters at Brush Creek in Kansas City, Mo. on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013.
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