OM ushers in Steamboat's Green Tara

An elegant Green Tara emerged today at the heart of the monks' mandala.
An elegant Green Tara emerged today at the heart of the monks' mandala.

This morning, the Drepung Loseling monks filled Library Hall and Steamboat’s hearts with the deep resonance of OM, the powerful, all-encompassing seed sound at the root of so many mantras. Its intent is to awaken and usher in the primal essence of the universe.

Opening ceremonies for Mandala on the Yampa 2015
Opening ceremonies for Mandala on the Yampa 2015

The monks’ Green Tara mandala sand painting was honored by an opening chant, summoned during the drawing of the lines, and brought to fruition during the waning hours of the day. As the painting got under way, the vibration of copper sticks purposefully grating against tapered, sand-filled chak-purs conjured up a soundscape in Library Hall that evoked swarms of friendly crickets.

Opening ceremony mantras and Tibetan horns resonated throughout the library.
Opening ceremony mantras and Tibetan horns resonated throughout the library.
The drawing of the lines was launched with compasses.
The drawing of the lines was launched with compasses.
The drawing of the lines moved along with chalk strings, erasers and detailed measurements.
The drawing of the lines moved along with chalk strings, erasers and detailed measurements.
An array of colored limestone sand awaited precise placement on the mandala.
An array of colored limestone sand awaited precise placement on the mandala.
Green Tara emerged after many delicate hours of painting.
Green Tara emerged after many delicate hours of painting.

Community members had a jump start on the monks today, thanks to the beautiful outlines provided by artist Johanna Bashford. Color started flooding the Community Sand Painting as a gaggle of young artists became instantly mesmerized by the craft of laying down sand.

The Community Sand Painting enthralled young artists.
The Community Sand Painting enthralled young artists.

And this is where we leave you after Day One of Mandala on the Yampa...

Imaginations are running wild on the Community Sand Painting.
Imaginations are running wild on the Community Sand Painting.
The heart of the Green Tara mandala rests under the watchful eye of the Dalai Lama.
The heart of the Green Tara mandala rests under the watchful eye of the Dalai Lama.