Sands of peace and healing

Thousands of grains of sand were used yesterday to create one of the most iconic artworks of Tibetan Buddhist tradition – a sand mandala. Those who visited the Findlay Art League yesterday were given a chance to watch the delicate composition be created right in front of their eyes. Four Tibetan monks have spent the last week in Findlay and surrounding areas, spreading Tibetan culture and performing rituals for healing and practices for inner peace and compassion. The monks, the Venerable Jampa Tsultrim, the Venerable Geshe Lharampa Tsering Dawa, the Venerable Geshe Lharampa Kunchok Tashi Bhutia and the Venerable Jampa Tsultrim are from the Gaden Shartse Monastery in southern India. The four have been touring the United States for ten months, sharing their culture and rituals in communities across the nation. The tour also serves as a fundraising initiative to construct a dormitory, also called a "khangtsen," at the monastery. The sand mandala was diligently worked on by the monks for five hours inside the league's building. "The main purpose (of the tour) is to share our auspicious, sacred knowledge which we learn from our ministry for more than 30 years," said the Venerable Geshe Lharampa Dawa. "(We're) just sharing our knowledge and (trying) to give a message about mental health: How to think positive, how to do the meditation in the right way, how to put the meditation in our daily life (and) how we make these benefits possible to us." A sand mandala is a visual representation of purification and healing in Tibetan Buddhism. Deities are represented in the center of the mandala, while the outer layers represent the universe, according to the Smithsonian Institution. "It (represents) the palace of the deity," said Dawa. "There are five symbols inside the mandala. It represents the five (families) of Buddha. It says that every being (has) a seed of enlightenment. So if we do our best to practice, then we can get enlightenment." Once the mandala is constructed, it's swept up, signifying the impermanence of life. The remains are then scattered in flowing water. "These monks are here to educate us about an ancient culture and to allow us to experience what they have acquired in terms of wisdom and compassion," said Carole Elchert, photographer and retired University of Findlay professor. Elchert was instrumental in coordinating the monks' visit. "What happens when you're exposed to that is that, it develops in you both knowledge and awareness of culture and religion." The Findlay community has long cultivated a relationship with Buddhist monks. "Phil Sugden, my husband, and I brought His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, to the University of Findlay in 1991 for three days," said Elchert. "We've gone to Tibet anywhere from 12 to 18 times," she explained. "Phil and I have been working with these groups since we went to Tibet. We all here have a familiarity with the Gaden Shartse and this ancient culture and their healing rituals." Most monks join monasteries at a young age, says Dawa. "Most of us become monks when we are teen. I became a monk when I was 10," he said. "Before I became a monk, I learned a few things about English. So then I became a monk, that time was 1990. (At) that time my monastery (did not) teach much English. So I learn by myself." The Gaden Shartse Monastery was founded in Tibet in 1409 by Tsongkhapa, creator of the Gelug school of thought in Tibetan Buddhism. Gaden is one of the three "Seats of Learning" Gelug monasteries of Tibet. The monastery was rebuilt in India after China's invasion of Tibet. The monastery is known for its study and practice of Buddhist Sutra and Tantra. Phukhang Khangtsen, one of 11 dormitories in the Gaden Shartse Monastery, currently has 120 rooms for its 450 monks, requiring many monks to share limited space and facilities. The tour aims to raise awareness and funds to support the monks and ensure they have the necessary accommodations to continue their spiritual life. Funds raised during the tour will support building 60 new rooms to improve living conditions for the monks. "So in our monastery, we arrange food expenses, school, hospital, all for free for every monk. The monks all need to stay in a monastery, not with their family. So we have a dormitory so monks can stay," Geshe Dawa said. "(We're) facing difficulties staying four or five monks in one very small room. So that's why the monastery asks us to fundraise so that we can make one new dormitory and each monk can be more comfortable (in) their practice." Tonight, the monks will visit Findlay Brewing Company from 5-8 p.m. alongside magician Nathaniel Hill for "Monks and Magic" night. Tibetan food available for purchase from Johnny Burritos. This event is open to the public with donations accepted. On Tuesday, the monks will visit the Black Heritage Library and Multicultural Center for a Q&A session and soul food catered by Black Deacon Barbeque and. Registration is required; online purchase preferred. Tickets include a meal catered by Black Deacon Barbecue at $15 each. Tickets at the door if available. The monks' next stop in Northwest Ohio is Toledo.