The Mandala Sand Painting begins with an opening ceremony for the community, during which the monks bless the site and call forth the forces of goodness with chanting, music and mantra recitation. They then draw an outline of the mandala on their wooden platform using chalk, compass and string.  For 2022, the Drepung Loseling monks will create an Akshobya Mandala. Akshobya is the unshakable victor of conflict resolution and peace. This mandala is created to transform negativity into insight stability. This is one of the mandala sand paintings that were made in the wake of 9/11.

 

Throughout the monks' Mandala on the Yampa residency, the community is invited to stop by and watch the monks work at any time throughout the days. Onlookers will witness the monks laying down the intricate mandala design using colorful sand and chakpurs. A chakpur is a metal funnel with a grated surface, along which the artist runs a metal rod. The vibration causes sand to flow like liquid onto the platform.