Tibetan monks labour over sands of time

BY MELANIE MCKAY

Two Tibetan monks are toiling over a brightly coloured Chenrezig sand mandala in a serenely quiet room at Lake House in Takapuna this week.

The brightly coloured mandala is an expression of the state of complete enlightenment, and is used as an aid to meditation.

For visitors, just viewing the mandala – which can be done each day from 8.30am to 6pm until May 12 – is thought to create a great store of positive energy. It also makes for a peaceful and clear mind.

Refugee monks Sonam and Jamyang, who have taken a year off their duties at the Sera Monastery in the south Indian state of Karnataka, are touring New Zealand for a year. Recreating the mandala of compassion 16 times during that period is a precise, painstaking task.

A metal funnel – called a chakpu – is used, and a piece of horn rubbed on the ridged surface of the instrument causes the sand to trickle out in an even flow.

The sand is actually crushed limestone dyed with natural pigments. In this case it is stored in take-out Atomic Coffee cups, which are completely at odds with the orthodox surroundings.

Only those with special interest and aptitude are chosen to carry on the tradition and undertake the two years of intensive training.

Sonam and Jamyang have to be constantly mindful and attentive throughout the process or creating the mandala. They focus on each part of it, and what it symbolises as they work on it.

Years of practise in maintaining their physical posture for long periods of time, being fully absorbed in their work and the comfort of cushions mean they can crouch over the work for hours at a stretch.

Anyone wanting to view the Chenrezig sand mandala will have to be quick, because it will be ceremoniously dissolved and gifted back to the sea at Takapuna Beach on Sunday.

This is because a core teaching of Buddhism is that all things are impermanent. The mandala's purpose has been fulfilled.

- SHORE NEWS