Tibetan monks to create sand mandala

Six Tibetan Buddhist monks will construct a sand mandala, a complex symbol created with colored sand, May 4-8 in Cannell Library at Clark College, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way. It is a free, public event.

Sand mandalas, or sand paintings, are an ancient, sacred ritual meant to bring peace and compassion.

The process begins with an opening ceremony featuring traditional music and chanting; it ends with the monks destroying the mandala in the Columbia River to symbolize the impermanence of life.

• Opening ceremony with music: noon to 4 p.m. May 4.

• Mandala construction: 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. May 4; 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. May 5-7; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 8.

• Sacred Tibetan art presentation: 1 p.m. May 8 in Penguin Union Building room 161.

• Closing ceremony with music: 2 to 3 p.m. May 8.

• Sand disbursal and final ceremony: 3 to 4 p.m. May 8 at Wintler Park, 6400 Beach Drive.

This event is co-hosted by Clark’s International Programs, Office of Diversity & Equity, Office of Student Life and Cannell Library.

For details, contact 360-699-6398 or http://www.clark.edu/international/international_events.php. View a video from the monks’ most recent visit to Clark College in 2012 at https://youtu.be/IYVcjFhpsHc.