By Aileen Burke
Staff Writer
The College of Saint Rose community had a chance this week to experience the calming work of Lama Karma Chopal in Hubbard Interfaith Sanctuary.
Lama Karma Chopal made a sand mandala of compassion for world peace and the Saint Rose community in the main space of the Hubbard Interfaith Sanctuary this past week. According to the Office of Spiritual Life on campus, there are only 100 known people who are trained in this form of traditional religious art.
This rare experience has been in the works since the Lama’s last visit in 2008. Lama Chopral resides in New Mexico, and made it a special point to attempt to return to the College since he was going to be in the area according to Joan Horgan, director of campus ministry.
“I feel as though Lama Chopal’s visit has been very influential and it is a great experience for the campus to see someone so deeply involved in a religion,” said Arianna Paul, junior communications major and Better Together co-president.
“I went and saw Lama creating the mandala and it was the most calming experience I have ever felt. It was almost as if I was in a trance like state and it was so incredible to see.”
In addition to the opportunity to watch and assist in the creation of the Mandala, there were accompanying programs that helped students learn more about the Buddhist faith tradition. Some were run by professors, and others were run by students. A particularly anticipated event was Create Your Own Mandala with the Student Art League.
The closing ceremony took place at 4 p.m. on Friday. The mandala was swept to the center of the board that it was created on in accordance with the impermanence tenet of Buddhism. Those in attendance took the sand to the Rensselaer boat launch, where the sands were released into the Hudson River.
This rare occurrence was something that speaks to the mission of the campus office of spiritual and the Hubbard Interfaith Sanctuary. If this week and or article are of interest, check out the further work of the Better Together student organization, the Office of Community Service, and the Office of Spiritual Life.
