Viewfinder: Tibetan Monks Create a Sand Mandala at Moraine Valley

The Library was redolent last Thursday with adjectives like “amazing” and “beautiful,” some students even noting the “soothing” sound of the monks’ instruments, relaxing deep in their leather chairs.

Thayer Yason saw the monks the last time they visited the campus, in 2008, and remarked this time on the patience of constructing the mandala, which as a Muslim he said he can relate to: “We know of patience through Ramadan.”

Spanish instructor Lee Rincõn watched the monks intently for several minutes before a scheduled meeting called him away. Seldom does Chicago, let alone Palos Hills, experience something this unique.

“It’s completely foreign to me—the culture, the idea, the message,” he said. “Even their presence in the library is completely foreign.” For this reason, he added, it was "welcomed."

Over the course of several days, the monks painstakingly created a sand mandala meant to symbolize conflict resolution. After over 30 hours of work, the monks destroyed the mandala to demonstrate the impermanent nature of the world around us.

The photos show the progression of the mandala's creation. To view the sights and sounds of the opening ceremony .