Transcript Sandpainting viewed from the North

Introduction to the
Sand Painting Mandala
Honoring Green Tara
This sand painting was done in July, 2001 at
the University of New Mexico by monks
from the Gyumed Monastery in Southern
India as part of their Compassion Tour, USA
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Disclaimer
Everything I have included is my understanding of what I
have been taught. It is accurate only to the degree of
my understanding. There may be mistakes due to my
lack of correct understanding of the teachings. If you
have an interest in the subject I encourage you to read,
study, and participate with people of like mind.
Photographs are the photos I took during my interactions
with the monks while they were in Santa Fe and
Albuquerque, New Mexico.
This experience had a profound and life changing
influence on me.
Carol WhiteWater Dawn
Sand Painting Viewed from the North
North
The direction of the North is most frequently
associated with Amogasiddhi. Its color is
the color white. Its meanings include
midnight and winter. The symbol of the
North is Karma (action). The element
associated with the North is air.
The chakra energy is the Root Chakra and
produces “All Accomplishing Wisdom”
Sand Painting Viewed From the East
East
The Direction of the East is the home of
Akshobhya and the color blue. Its
meanings include dawn and summer. The
symbol of the East is the Vajra
pictured here with the bell. The
element associated with the East
is water.
The Heart Chakra is activated through
the energies of the east and “Mirror-Like
Wisdom” is created. The mudra is earth
touching.
Sand Painting Viewed from the South
South
The direction of the South is most frequently
associated with Ratnasambhava. Its color is
the color yellow. Its meanings include noon
and autumn. The symbol of the South is the
oval stone or pearl. The element associated
with the South is earth.
The chakra energy is the Navel or Solar Plexus
Chakra and produces “All-Enriching
Wisdom”. The mudra is supreme giving.
Sand Painting Viewed from the West
West
The direction of the West is most frequently
associated with Amitabha. Its color is the color
red. Its meanings include sunset and spring.
The symbol of the West is the padma or open
lotus. The element associated with the West is
fire.
The chakra energy is the Throat Chakra and
produces “Discriminating Awareness Wisdom”.
The mudra is Meditation.
Sand Painting Center
Center of a Sand Mandala
The center of the directions is often associated
with Vairocana and its color is transparent
glittering iridescence, something like the
rainbow within a crystal. The element
associated with Vairocana is ether, prana, or
life force.
The Crown Chakra is it’s associated chakra.
The wisdom is the “Wisdom of All
Encompassing Space”. The mudra is
“turning the wheel of the Dharma”.
Outer Circles
The outer circles are obstacles
that must be overcome to enter
the palace of the divine person.
The outermost ring is the fire
obstacles ring.
The next ring in is the vajra ring.
Then the Lotus ring of purity
must be transversed.
The Gateway.
Offerings to the
“kings of directions.
There are guardian
dragons in each
palace corner.
In each corner is a Parasol for protection.
Victory Banners are displayed for
accomplishments.
Designing the Border
Beginning work on border
design.
Border Designs
The meaning of the
Parasol is protection
against all evil. It is also
a symbol of high rank.
The Golden Fish stands for
Spirituality, for the salvation from
all suffering and works for the
control of the senses.
More Border Designs
The Dharmachakra is
the Wheel of the Law;
the eight spokes
represent the eightfold
path. Completion and
salvation through
Buddha’s teachings.
Tibetan Flag
The conch is the absence of all evil, the glory
of holy people. It symbolizes blowing
enlightenment outward to all sentient beings
Collecting the Offerings
Ceremony in preparation for
dismantling the sand painting.
Removing the offerings.
A Yellow Hat
Gyumed Monk is
completing the final
ceremony before
dismantling of the
sand painting begins.
Releasing Tara From Her Home in the Center
After Tara is Released, the Other Divine
Beings are Released
The Vajra is Used to Cut Each Directional
Quadrant from the Outside to the Center
Sand is Swept From Outside to the Center Before Being
Placed in a Jar and Taken to a River for Disposal
Additional Information About Tibetan Buddhism
The meaning behind the Sand Painting the monks
did for many cities on their Compassion Tour
was to bring compassion to every person that
attended and to every person they know and
interact with and then to ripple outward to all
sentient beings.
The dismantling of the Sand Painting is to remind
us of impermanence. Nothing is permanent.
Tibetan Buddhism is also known as Tantra.
Tantra teachings help to transmute feelings and
actions into positive compassion for the benefit
of all sentient beings.
About Carol WhiteWater Dawn
Carol is a College Instructor at Diné College on
the Navajo Reservation. She is a Certified
Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a
Master Addictions Counselor.
Carol has studied many beliefs, spiritual
practices, and techniques in her pursuit of
attainment of ever increasing levels of higher
consciousness and conscious evolution for all
sentient beings.
Carol’s personal spiritual practice is a syntheses and embraces all
beliefs she has participated in. There are no “wrong” belief systems.
All contain pieces of the whole and have something to teach.
more on next page
This a wooden Buddha from Bali that reminds
me to sit quietly and “Remember Who I AM”
Who are You?
My wish is for compassion for the
planet and all its sentient beings.
Carol WhiteWater Dawn