Meditation and breath -- the only possible way to accomplish such exquisite attention to detail.
Once the monks finished the Green Tara at the center of the mandala, they worked outward during the second and third days of their library residency. The expanding territory is laden with lines, shapes and characters that are rich in symbolism.
Green Tara surrounded by eight auspicious symbols.
Rinpoche offered us a cheat sheet to help sort some of it out -- starting with the eight auspicious symbols that directly surround Green Tara. Here's a visual guide to what you see on Steamboat's mandala:
The Two Golden Fish represent good fortune and release from the ocean of samsara.
The Precious Parasol gives protection from the heat of the defilements.
The Eight Spoked Wheel represents the noble eightfold path of the Buddhadharma.
The Victory Banner represents the victory over ignorance and the attainment of happiness.
The Knot of Eternity represents the interdependent nature of all existence.
The White Conch Shell represents the propagation of the Buddha's teachings in all directions.
The Lotus Flower represents spiritual purity and divine origination.
The Treasure Vase represents spiritual purity and divine origination.
Clearly, Steamboat's enthusiastic sand painters have been watching the monks and gleaning some valuable lessons. The monks' attention to detail has wafted through the ether and landed in the imaginations of many community artists. As we work on the second edition of the Community Sand Painting, increasingly intricate designs continue to emerge.
Community Sand Painting 2015 -- a Second Edition flower
Community Sand Painting 2015 -- a Second Edition flower
Community Sand Painting 2015 -- a Second Edition flower
Community Sand Painting 2015 -- a Second Edition flower
