DALAI LAMA'S MONKS IN SHELBURNE FALLS, MASSACHUSETTS

Shelburne Falls, MA-   The Dalai Lama’s monks will be creating a sand mandala for health and prosperity on Saturday , April 26th , at the Shelburne Falls Yoga Studio at 1 Deerfield Avenue .   The public is invited to come view the monks at work any time during the day between the hours of 12:30 and 6:00 pm.   At 6:00 pm, the monks will sweep up the mandala and process to the Bridge of  Flowers for a blessing ceremony before scattering the sand upon the wind and water.

 Mandalas are meant for religious use but for the purpose of teaching about Tibetan culture, the Dalai Lama has permitted them to be made in public.   The mandalas represent a Buddha’s divine residence and serve as an aid to meditation and to contemplating the spiritual teachings conveyed by the intricate designs of the mandala.   It is believed that peace and harmony are brought into the area where a mandala is constructed and that even seeing one can awaken the innate sense of compassion and well-being that Buddhists believe exist as the true nature of each living being.

 Mandalas can be made of sand, cloth, metal , stone, or wood.  They may be flat or actually built as miniature palaces.  Construction of a mandala requires great discipline and the painstakingly laying down of each grain of sand  from a heart steeped in  prayerful concentration.   The process usually extends over a period of weeks.  The mandala in Shelburne Falls will be a much simpler piece but promises to offer the same blessing power of the more elaborate ones.

 Young and old alike are sure to be delighted by this glimpse of Tibet in Shelburne Falls.    Your goodwill donation of $10 per adult will be offered to the monks for food and educational supplies at their monastery.   This rare event is being sponsored by Deborah and Martin Yaffee, owners of the Riverside Healing Arts Center in Shelburne Falls, MA.   For more information or to make a special donation, please contact Deborah Yaffee at 413-625-2800 or email deb@riversidehealing.com