USA. The Venerable Lama Losang Samten visits Villanova University Sept. 9 – 13, 2024 to create a Tibetan sand mandala. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences presents the weeklong event in partnership with the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, which will host the installation in the Driscoll Hall Atrium.
The opening ceremony is set for Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at 4 p.m. On Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., the Ven. Samten will supervise the ceremonial destruction of the mandala.
A mandala in Tibetan Buddhism is a tool for meditation and contemplation. Every aspect of the mandala has meaning, and nothing is arbitrary or superfluous. It might be drawn with colored sand or paint, built in a three-dimensional model, or visualized by a Buddhist practitioner. The intricate designs and symbols of the mandala represent elements of the universe and aspects of enlightenment. Meditating on a mandala, the practitioner can cultivate different spiritual goals of the Buddhist tradition, like wisdom, compassion, well-being and peace.
At Villanova, the Ven. Samten will create a Medicine Buddha mandala, a sacred design that represents the healing power of wisdom and compassion. The Medicine Buddha is believed to have the power to heal physical, mental and emotional illnesses, as well as to promote spiritual well-being. The Medicine Buddha mandala is used in meditation and in rituals to connect with this healing power to alleviate suffering. The mandala is depicted in vibrant colors and has intricate designs that reflect the complexity of the universe and the interdependence of all life.
