Tibetan Mandala Sand Painting Ceremony: Spiritual Prayers and Art

Emory Tibet Week / Mystical Arts of Tibet
Mandala Sand Painting Live Exhibition
by the Tibetan monks of Drepung Loseling Monastery
At the Michael C Carlos Museum at Emory University, top floor (no admission required)

Tibet Week has been an annual tradition at Emory University and the Carlos Museum since 2001, celebrating Tibetan culture and the work of the Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics, with programs emerging from the collaborative efforts of Emory University and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

25th anniversary of the international collaboration
Mandala Sand Painting Live Exhibition
Opening Ceremony: October 26 at 12pm
Construction & Viewing: Oct 26 - Oct 31, See Daily Schedule
Closing Ceremony: October 31 at 12 pm

The Drepung Loseling monks of The Mystical Arts of Tibet will create a Avalokiteshvara mandala sand painting from October 26 to October 31 as part of Tibet week at Emory University. Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion, is perhaps one of the most deeply cherished deities in the Buddhist world. Known as Quan Am in Vietnamese, Kwan Yin in Chinese, Kannon in Japanese, and Chenrezig in Tibetan, Avalokiteshara’s manifestations are manifold. Avalokiteshara is known for his infinite compassion; that is, his ability to see the suffering of sentient beings and his resolve to relieve that suffering.

The opening ceremony on October 26 will begin with introductory remarks about the mandala followed by a ceremony with the monks chanting and playing traditional Tibetan instruments to consecrate the space. After, the monks will begin constructing the mandala by drawing the geometric lines, from memory, for Green Tara in preparation for the colourful designs and ancient spiritual symbols that will appear throughout the week.

After hundreds of man hours and millions of grains of sand laid down in the creation of this mandala over a period of six days, it will be dismantled in a lavish ceremony on October 31. The sand will be swept away as a symbolization of impermanence and non-attachment, as well as being a tool to reconsecrate the earth and its inhabitants, to the accompaniment of traditional Tibetan musical instruments and multi-phonic chants. Attendees will be gifted half of the consecrated and blessed sand to take home as a reminder.

View the daily schedule for panels, talks, and more!
https://tibet.emory.edu/tibet-week-2026.html