By Justin Lafeen

Visiting Buddhist monks from Tibet's Deprung Loseling Monestary are creating a mandala representing "compassion" at the Cache Valley Center for the Arts in downtown Logan.

A mandala is defined as "any of various ritualistic geometric designs symbolic of the universe, used in Hinduism and Buddhism as an aid to meditation." Each mandala is intricate in its design and includes many symbolic images.

Mandalas are created using a traditional metal funnel called a chakpur and can take several days or weeks to complete. The creation begins with the drawing of an outline and ends with a special dismantling ceremony, all of which is a sacred and symbolic process of purification and healing to the monks.

The detailed sand creation began taking shape with an opening ceremony Wednesday and will conclude with a dismantling ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Entrance is free.

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