Press Release
See Tibetan monks create sand mandala at Fla. Museum
For Immediate Release Feb. 3, 2007
Contact:
Paul Ramey, APR
Assistant Director, Marketing and Public Relations
Florida Museum of Natural History
(352) 846-2000, ext. 218, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu
PHOTOS AVAILABLE
GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- Florida Museum of Natural History visitors may observe Drupon Thinley Ningpo and Lama Konchog Gyaltshen, sponsored by the Tibetan Meditation Center in Gainesville, creating a sand mandala as part of the museum's current temporary exhibition, "Tibet: Mountains and Valleys, Castles and Tents" during the following times:
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. today; 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 2-5 p.m. on Feb. 10, 12, 13, 14; The closing ceremony is scheduled from 3-5 p.m. on Feb. 14.
The sand mandala is a Tibetan Buddhist tradition which symbolizes the impermanence and the transient nature of life and material things. When completed and its accompanying ceremonies and viewing finished, the mandala is systematically destroyed.
The "Tibet: Mountains and Valleys, Castles and Tents" exhibit is from the Newark Museum's renowned collection of historical and archival treasures of Tibetan culture, considered the finest in the Western Hemisphere. In the exhibit, visitors can journey through the mountains of Tibet and witness a community steeped in a rich and ancient past. Beautifully crafted jewelry, furniture and ceremonial ornaments tell a tale of a lavish aristocracy, while personal belongings, weapons and tools of nomadic traders, farmers and herders tell a very different story. The exhibit is on display through May 28.
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The Florida Museum of Natural History is Florida's state natural history museum, dedicated to understanding, preserving and interpreting biological diversity and cultural heritage. It is located near the intersection of Southwest 34th Street and Hull Road in the University of Florida Cultural Plaza in Gainesville. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Butterfly Rainforest admission is $8.50 for adults ($7.50 Fla. residents) and $4.50 for children ages 3-12. Prices subject to change. For more information, including directions and parking, call (352) 846-2000, or visit www.flmnh.ufl.edu.