Avalokiteśvara Tibetan Buddhist Sand Mandala
Tuesday, September 30—Saturday, October 4. From 10 a.m.–5 p.m., four Buddhist monks from the Gyuto Wheel of Dharma Monastery in Minneapolis will assemble a sand mandala depicting Avalokiteśvara, the Buddha of Compassion, in Groot Gallery. Visitors are invited to observe the mandala’s creation from the ground level or the overlook on level two. The monks will pause for lunch from approximately 1-2 p.m. each day.
Monday, September 29, 5-6 p.m. Living as a Refugee in Exile and a Buddhist Monk. Our partners at Carleton College welcome visitors to join Geshe Lobsang Jigmey from the Gyuto Wheel of Dharma Monastery. The program will be held at Skinner Memorial Chapel with a complimentary dinner and reception to follow in Severance Great Hall.
Tuesday, September 30, 10 a.m. Consecration Ceremony. Observe a 15-minute ceremony as the monks offer prayers and rituals to purify and bless the sand mandala site.
Tuesday, September 30, 5 p.m. Buddhist Meditation Practices. Join Geshe Lobsang Jigmey from the Gyuto Wheel of Dharma Monastery for a presentation on Buddhist Meditation Practices.
Sunday, October 5, 2 p.m. Dissolution Ceremony. Observe a ceremony as the monks remove the sand, then join them in a 1-mile walk to Northfield’s Bridge Square to disperse the sand.
Throughout the week, Interfaith Fellows from St. Olaf’s Lutheran Center will host office hours near the sand mandala site from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. The fellows are available to provide information about the sand mandala tradition within Tibetan Buddhism and field questions from visitors.
This program is presented in conjunction with the Flaten Art Museum’s fall exhibition Gateway to Himalayan Art, on view September 12 – December 7, 2025.
