Tibetan Monks Mandala Sand Painting at the Woodland

For real ..being there captures every meditative response ...minute details coupled with extraordinary patience ..experience of the Monks is breathtaking and a lesson in persistence and selflessness.

What is today's schedule?

12 - 5 pm: Mandala construction

5 - 6 pm: Viewing the completed mandala

6 - 7 pm: Closing ceremony/ dispersal of sand

@Joy thank you for the beautiful photos, I have enjoyed yours and my friends' on FB. The lighting is just beautiful in there and you captured it well. I was guessing the earlier ones used the 24-120...such a great project. And kudos for you as your cool factor went up a couple notches in my book, if that were even possible I really enjoyed my kids trying it out too, what a fun way to spend some time and learn. Thank you to all the volunteers. We purchased some beautiful quotes on fabric.

Friends of mine, who are world travelers, came to visit our mandala. They were so impressed; they said that this is the kind of thing they travel the world for...

I love our town.

Joy, your photographs are beautiful and really show the detail I wasn't able to see from my vantage point in person. Are you considering making them into prints to purchase? I know the whole point of the mandala is that it's temporary, but I would love a permanent reminder of it

@afa, the monks are selling small prints of the mandala design, too.

part of the deal was that I'm not allowed to sell them because of the sacred nature of the mandala.

I am 100% ok with that. The monks are selling them tho - and they may offer a print of ours. Not sure about that - but I heard this 2nd hand.

I could give away low rez versions - but would have to think how best to do that.

I have some other ideas on how to share experience - but need to speak with various people.

joy said:
part of the deal was that I'm not allowed to sell them because of the sacred nature of the mandala.
I am 100% ok with that. The monks are selling them tho - and they may offer a print of ours. Not sure about that - but I heard this 2nd hand.
I could give away low rez versions - but would have to think how best to do that.
I have some other ideas on how to share experience - but need to speak with various people.

Maybe you could work out a deal with the monks, get free advertising and help raise money for their cause.

@joy Your photos are spectacular! The albums are absolute meditative wonderlands.

But am I correct that you only posted links to:
"Maplewood Mandala" (Day 1)
Mandala - Day 3
Mandala Day 5 - Part 2 ?

Your posts for Days 2, 4, and Day 5 - Part 1 seem to have single images with no links to albums, right? It's obviously fine if that's it, I just want to make sure I'm not missing anything!

Thanks!

Yeah - the linkage was a bit funky - here ya go -

https://www.flickr.com/gp/joyyagid/2r605o

https://www.flickr.com/gp/joyyagid/1S24ew

https://www.flickr.com/gp/joyyagid/B47T6w

https://www.flickr.com/gp/joyyagid/49Va06

https://www.flickr.com/gp/joyyagid/F6X70V

Totally understand. I wish I could get one of the images the monks are selling but I'm out of town today. I just love the delicious texture in your photos, Joy--I couldn't see the little peaks and valleys of sand in person.

The mandala is beautiful. Just wondered - the design they made doesn't seem to be the same as the one selected in the picture. I loved all the designs so it doesn't matter. Just wondered if there was a reason.

Each one is unique. But the style and central image of this one are the Green Tara, as voted upon.

Just got home from work and am watching the live feed...unfortunately the audio sounds like it's under water.

Got to see them section off the square and sweep through the design. Collecting the sand into tiny envelopes. It's funny how those vibrant colors blend into white.

It was beautiful!

Will make some (I shot A LOT) available to you guys. Just have to figure out the best way.

Last day. Lots-o-pix.

Because lots going on!

https://www.flickr.com/gp/joyyagid/d47574

Beautiful! I love all the big smiles at the end from everyone.

That was really amazing. I could hardly stand it when the brush started turning the mandala into vibrant swirls, but I guess the entire point is that all things come to an end. Thanks for the photos, Joy, and Jamie and others for links to the live feed.

Thanks for the WONDERFUL photos Joy. I was able to experience the closing ceremonies without needing to stay because of what and how you captured this.

The photos are amazing and beautiful! Thank you Joy.

I visited for a short period yesterday around noon and, to me, it looked like they were close to finishing. They added an incredible amount of detail and shading in those last few hours!

I wish I had known that the closing ceremony would include those long horns. I love their deep resonnance.

Joy, thank you for these deeply moving and beautifully observed photos!

I'm kind of surprised there isn't a thread asking "What were those foghorn sounds in Maplewood yesterday???"

Thank you for making the story of yesterdays events.

Even the "swirled" version of the mandala had its own beauty. Thanks to all who worked to bring this unique event to Maplewood!

Those pics are even nicer than mine!

Yes, I'm joking.

joy said:
Day 3 - https://www.flickr.com/gp/joyyagid/3xa0qN

I'd like to donate a photobook for the library about our Mandala in Maplewood - I'd like to include thoughts from you the community. Please email me a few short sentences (no more than 4) on your thoughts to maplewoodmandala@gmail.com - please include your name and town and your age. I will edit for grammar and spelling and if need be length. I cannot include everyone - but will do my best.

What a wonderful idea!

That's messed up that the Maplewood Police arrested the monks at the end of Joy's flicker album.

I guess it was for littering?

Really great photos, Joy. Thanks so much.

jb... Lol.