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A group of Tibetan monks is creating a sand Mandala at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Rod Rice reports that a Mandala is an architectural layout that signifies a particular Buddha.

In this case the Mandala is for Buddha Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion. The theme poses the question; is everlasting peace possible in our minds? While the question will linger... the Mandnala will not. Lobsang Dhondn is one of the monks making the Mandala.

Mandalas are all very specific as to design and colors. This one shows the path taken by Buddha Chenrezig to be come a Buddha. However, while the form must be exact, there is no blueprint for the monk to follow.

The sand is fine crushed marble. It is placed into a long thin metal funnel. The monk rubs a stick along the funnels rough surface... the vibrations shake the sand onto the pattern. The monk is using white sand to follow the pattern of a lotus he has just etched into a gree circle at the center of Mandala. Lobsang Dhondn says the lotus signifies Buddha Chenrezig.

It will take until Friday afternoon to complete this work of love and compassion in the main hall of the Museum of Natural Science. It will be on display until it is swept away Sunday evening. © Copyright 2012, kuhf