A small group of touring monks from the Gaden Shartse Cultural Foundation had just begun their 2020 Sacred Earth & Healing Arts of Tibet Tour in January only to suspend their in-person activities by mid-March. However, the monks quickly adapted to “working from home” and began livestreaming Buddhist teachings, the creation of ancient sand mandalas (representations of the sacred universe), healing prayer rituals, and other consecrations online.

Organizers and donors from around the country commissioned activities that translated into a nonstop working schedule for the monks, enabling them to serve dharma students and the interested public while fundraising for Gaden Shartse Monastery in south India. In 16 months of quarantine, the monks created mandalas of the following deities: Arya Green Tara, Medicine Buddha, Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara), Amitabha, Vajrasattva, Maitreya, Shakyamuni, White Parasol Deity, Manjushri, White Tara, Vajravidharan, Vajrapani, Yamantaka, 13-Deity Yamantaka, Vajra Yogini, Heruka Chakrsamvara, and Guhyasamaja.

Each mandala took 2-3 weeks to complete, was accompanied by the recitation of traditional liturgies and commentaries, and dedicated to overcoming myriad universal obstacles, including sickness, before being dissolved within days of their completion. The sand was then collected into small packets and distributed as blessings to friends of the Center and anyone who requested it. To mark the end of this momentous 17-mandala cycle, the monks carried sand of the last mandala to be released into the Huntington Beach near the Bolsa Chica Bird Sanctuary. This symbolizes purification of the local environment, and continues an ancient tradition dating back hundreds of years.

We are thankful to our sponsors and to all who were able to participate and view many of the monks’ activities in these difficult times. With restrictions being lifted statewide, the Sacred Earth & Healing Arts of Tibet Tour will resume its travels in late June 2021. For more information on the tour and contact information, please visit the monks' tour website: https://www.sacredartsoftibettour.org/