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Sand mandala marks Peace Week at Pasco-Hernando Community College

 
In the dissolution ceremony of the sand mandala Thursday, Buddhist monks Drupon Thinley Rinpoche Ningpo, 50, of Wesley Chapel, left, and Konchog Shenphen, 34, of Orlando get help from Genevieve Valentine Knapp, 4, left, and Tristan White, 6.
In the dissolution ceremony of the sand mandala Thursday, Buddhist monks Drupon Thinley Rinpoche Ningpo, 50, of Wesley Chapel, left, and Konchog Shenphen, 34, of Orlando get help from Genevieve Valentine Knapp, 4, left, and Tristan White, 6.
Published Oct. 6, 2012

Buddhist monks spent the week making a sacred sand mandala, a circular symbol used to represent the universe, life and other meaningful concepts, as part of Peace Week observed at Pasco-Hernando Community College's Spring Hill campus.

On Thursday, nearly 100 in attendance including faculty, staff and students, gathered for the dissolution ceremony.

Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning circle. The geometric designs on a flat surface are created using tubes, funnels and scrapers.

During Peace Week, the mandala's message is one of overcoming hate and anger.

Buddhist monk Dripon Thinley Rinpoche Ningpo 50, of Wesley Chapel led the mandala ceremonies during Peace Week along with three other monks who taught a mandala class that was held on Thursday evening. Ningpo, who is originally from Tibet, began practicing Buddhism in his homeland until 1989, when he fled with many others when the Chinese government occupation was taking control of the country. They fled on foot by crossing the Himalayan Mountains, taking 23 days to reach Nepal.

This week, Buddhist monks spent days constructing the mandala as part of the college's Peace Week activities. The mandala was then released into the campus pond to signify the spreading of kindness and compassion.

Learn more about the mandala and its meanings in other faiths worldwide at mandalaproject.org.