James Silliman  


Sand Mandala by James Silliman

January 2025 - Sand Mandala

January 2025 - James Silliman

Original

January 2025 - James Silliman

Original 2

About the Image(s)

While I was teaching at a local college, we were visited by a group on Tibetan monks. During their visit they created a sand mandala. My submission for this month is an image of one of our visitors involved in the creation of such a mandala. Once complete, the sand mandala's ritualistic dismantling is accompanied by ceremonies and viewing to symbolize Buddhist doctrinal belief in the transitory nature of material life. Following the dismantling process there was the ceremonial procession to a local creek where the sands where released back into nature to “disperse the healing energies of the mandala.”
I have also included an overview of the mandala, close to completion. In addition, I have included an image of the procession to disperse the sands.


4 comments posted




Lori Azevedo   Lori Azevedo
Ok...this must have been truly amazing and exciting for watch. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.   Posted: 01/10/2025 21:54:26



Melissa Cramer Sonnen   Melissa Cramer Sonnen
What an enlightening cultural exchange. It is hard to imagine how this can happen with colored sand and be so perfect. The release ceremony must be beautiful too. Thanks for relating the experience.
As to the photo - that is a nice PJ shot. I would have loved to see sand in the horn. You sure got the bright colors right.   Posted: 01/12/2025 17:14:56



Karen Botvin   Karen Botvin
Wow, what stunning work! Thanks for sharing. Your capture of the gentleman's close up work is intriguing. The lighting and detail of his work is amazing and you've captured it perfectly.
  Posted: 01/12/2025 19:07:53



Ruth Mayer   Ruth Mayer
Wow, this is so interesting. I too love the bright colors. How do they get the sand to stay together to create the flowers, and straight lines. So interesting.   Posted: 01/13/2025 04:30:49



 

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