The monks are here! The monks are here!

Five Tibetan Buddhist monks arrived at the Bud Werner Memorial Library today. If you spied red robes at the Strawberry Park Hot Springs this afternoon, you already know that our guests got a sweet taste of Steamboat Springs right from the start.

The black slate for the Green Tara mandala sand painting is blank, resting under the watchful eye of the Dalai Lama, awaiting Wednesday morning's opening ceremonies in Library Hall.

The blank slate for Steamboat's mandala, ready for opening ceremonies.
The blank slate for Steamboat's mandala, ready for opening ceremonies.

Meanwhile, the bright white canvas for the community sand painting sits gleaming under the lights. The beautiful design anxiously awaits a barrage of colorful sand perched quietly in bowls behind the table.

The beautiful community sand painting outline is courtesy of artist Johanna Basford from her inky adventure coloring book, Secret Garden.
The beautiful community sand painting outline is courtesy of artist Johanna Basford from her inky adventure coloring book, Secret Garden.

Stay tuned for photos, video and stories from Library Hall as the Drepung Loseling monks work their magic this week. The auspicious time has arrived for Mandala on the Yampa!

Tashi delek!