Sand mandala

A sand mandala is a beautiful creation made by Buddhist monks out of tiny grains of colored sand. Think of it like making a special kind of picture using only sand instead of paint or markers. The monks use special tools called chak-purs to carefully place the sand grains on a flat surface, following a specific design that they have in mind.

The sand mandala is special because it's believed to bring peace and healing to anyone who sees it. When it's finished, the mandala is usually displayed for a little while so people can appreciate its beauty, and then it's ritually destroyed.

This might sound strange, but it's actually part of the meaning behind the mandala. It's a reminder that everything in life is temporary, and that even though something as beautiful and special as the sand mandala can be destroyed, it doesn't mean it wasn't worthwhile or important.

So, even though the sand mandala itself might not last forever, the message of peace and healing it represents can continue on.