Buddhist monks introduced Latrobe Valley residents to Tibetan culture at Latrobe Regional Gallery yesterday as part of their Sacred Footsteps tour around Australia.
The monks will stay in Morwell, which is the last stop of a six-month tour, until Sunday, ending a trip which has seen them joined in prayer and had their artwork admired by thousands.
Tibetan Buddhist traditional nun Choden, who has travelled with the monks for four months, said they had been welcomed warmly into each community they visited.
“It gives the monks an opportunity to put their Bodhisattva ideals into practice in a variety of environments,” Choden said.
Narum Tashi, Joyung and Gehlek are Tibeten refugees who trained at Gyudmed Tantric Monastery in India for 16 years to complete their training, during which they memorised the designs of about 100 mandalas.
A sand mandala is constructed by pouring dyed crushed marble through copper funnels onto a flat surface, slowly creating an intricate design.
Each design is different and the monks will work this week to create a Tara mandala – the primary female deity, whose name means liberator.
Gallery public programs officer Nicole Brindley said interested persons could join the monks in meditation from 9.45am to 10am and watch them create their mandala until 5pm each day until Sunday.
“It’s nice to be able to offer people an opportunity to explore and discover Tibetan culture through this unique experience,” Ms Brindley said.
“The monks will sweep away their mandala at the dissolution ceremony, which symbolises the impermanence of all things, on Sunday at 2pm, which should be a packed out and special event.”
