Images by Benjamin Liew
This week, a centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist tradition is unfolding in Adelaide, with visiting monks painstakingly creating a sacred sand mandala by hand, only for it to be dismantled and returned to the ocean once complete.
The unique experience is taking place at the Tibetan Buddhist Institute in Flinders Park as part of SALA Festival, where monks trained at Sera Jey Monastery in India are constructing the intricate mandala over several days.
The free exhibition, titled Transient Nature: Impermanence, Compassion, Wisdom, offers visitors a rare opportunity to witness the ancient practice up close while exploring a collection of contemporary photography by Adelaide artist Benjamin Liew.
Made from thousands of grains of coloured sand, the mandala is an intricate ritual artwork representing concepts including compassion, wisdom and the impermanent nature of life.
But unlike a traditional artwork designed to be preserved, its destruction is an essential part of the process.
Once the mandala is completed, it will be dismantled during a sacred dissolution ceremony this Sunday, August 16th.
The blessed sand will then be carried to Grange Jetty and released into the ocean, symbolising impermanence and sharing blessings with all beings.
The ceremony will also feature an artist talk, offering visitors the chance to learn more about the meaning behind the ritual and the exhibition.
For those who haven’t seen the mandala being created, the exhibition is open daily through to Sunday, giving visitors the chance to experience the work before it disappears.
And if you’ve ever wanted to witness something genuinely different during SALA, this is certainly one to add to the list.
The exhibition is free to attend, although donations are welcome to support the Tibetan Buddhist Institute. Bookings are essential for sessions, including the final dissolution ceremony and artist talk.
Transient Nature: Tibetan Sand Mandala and Photography Exhibition
When: Daily until Sunday, August 16th, 10:30am to 2:30pm
Where: Tibetan Buddhist Institute, 8 Ross Avenue, Flinders Park
For more information, click here.
