A tiny grain of sand
may seem insignificant
but placed carefully,
conscientiously
it can create a work of art
and transform into a gift for the Dalai Lama
Recently, two buddhist monks traveled
from the Namgyal Monastery
in Dharamsala, India
to UC Irvine
to create a special sand mandala
in honor of the Dalai Lama's 80th birthday
which he celebrated at UC Irvine
with the Global Compassion Summit
For 10 days, 12 hours a day
the monks painstakingly dedicated themselves
to the Tibetan art of the sand mandala
and they invited the community to watch
Beginning with geometric measurements
they first drew a blueprint
Then, they placed the colored sand
grain by grain
using a small metal funnel
carefully controlled by rubbing against its grooves
Creating vibrations and rhythmic sounds
Each grain of sand
represents a virtue
Generosity
Discipline
Patience
Diligence
Concentration
and wisdom
All known as the six perfections
in Tibetan Buddhism
Each intricate detail is intentional
Relaying messages of equanimity, loving-kindness
joy and compassion
Mesmerizing in its making
the sand mandala is a deeper lesson
in impermenance
The mandala is dissolved
swept up and returned to a body of water
a meditation on impermanence and the value
of each present moment
