Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/03/08
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]A mandala is a painting made with extremely fine colored sand typically done by Tibetan monks who received mandala training as part of their religious training. It is a Tibetan buddhist tradition rich with symbolism echoing the sacred texts. The making of a mandala is a devotional ritual, culminating in the dismantling of the mandala and disposing the sand into a nearby stream or river, the act of which symbolizes the impermanence of life, a fundamental belief in the buddhist teaching. I have always thought of this not unlike the old Zen calligraphy masters who burnt the scrolls after they are done with the art work. (Imagine burning the negatives from your Leica ! ) The mandalas are constructed with great precision, using very simple tools to dispense the fine sand grains. They demand all the concentration and steadiness their makers can muster. When finished, they have a three-dimensional feel to them, which when added to the intricate geometric patterns makes them look like a finely embroidered carpet. This past week, three Tibetan monks spent several days constructing a mandala at MIT, here in Boston. I spent some time with them during the process, and here are some photos. Comments, criticisms, etc. very welcome and appreciated as usual. Otherwise, I hope you enjoy the photos. http://www.phongdoan.com/Photography/Mandala/ - - Phong - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html