You Can Now See the Rare Art of the Sand Mandala

The Denis Hurley Centre in Durban will be hosting the creation of a “sand mandala” this month. This painstaking procedure is a very rare sight to witness.
Starting in the week of October 15, three Tibetan monks in robes will spend seven days chiselling away at coloured rocks to create an intricate spiritual image.

Members of the public are welcome to visit the centre at their leisure between October 15-21 from 8:00 to 16:00, but the centre is also encouraging school groups to see the images.

“This would be a wonderful experience for school learners to see — and a chance to teach them about, among other things, religious art, Eastern religions, spiritual healing and even Chinese politics,” said Raymond Perrier, director of the Denis Hurley Centre.

Groups can come in and see for themselves what is happening and have talks with the monks, he said.

“The invitation is open to any school but we especially wanted the schools in the Catholic network to engage with this project to broaden understanding of other religions, also given the relationship that recent popes have forged with the Dalai Lama,” he said.

The sand mandala will be open for schools to view from 10:00 to 16:00 every day from October 15-19, by prior arrangement.

“There will be space for small and large groups; we want to book school groups in advance to manage the timing,” said Mr Perrier. “An ideal age for this would be Grades 9-11 — I assume that Grade 12 students will be too busy with matric. However, younger students will also enjoy it.”

Participating schools would be encouraged to prepare for their visit by having learners study the artistic tradition of the mandala, which is used in many religions, and perhaps even complete some examples which can then be brought and displayed at the DHC, Mr Perrier said.

He advised to allow 60 minutes for the visit. Groups that have not previously been to the DHC could add in extra time for a tour of the building, the adjacent Emmanuel cathedral or the mosque next to the centre.

On the last weekend, the mandala image will be ceremoniously swept away and the sand carried to the sea.

For more information, contact the DHC at 031 301-2240 or