The Truitt Center for Religious Life presented the Shiwa Tour of Tibetan Peace and Healing Thursday evening, Oct. 13 in Whitley Auditorium.
This cultural tour by Buddhist monks visited Elon Oct. 10-13 to expose students, faculty, staff and community members to the breadth of Tibetan religious culture. During the Oct. 13 program, the monks shared Buddhist practices and methods that celebrate richness and diversity.
Throughout their visit, the monks created a sand mandala in Belk Library. This creation uses crushed gemstone and ancient methods handed down since the sixth century B.C. Each part of the mandala has symbolic meaning and the entire process of creation acts as a form of meditation.
During Thursday’s Chapel service, held in Belk library, the monks performed a ceremonial dismantling of the Medicine Buddha mandala. Its sand, which was blessed in the creation of the mandala, was taken to Lake Mary Nell and offered as a blessing to the environment.