Alberta’s economic decline has created a simmering culture of anger in this province, demonstrated through various protests and deep political polarization.
Visiting Tibetan monks would like to help diffuse the negativity by creating a mandala that promotes, peace, compassion and “loving kindness” at the Red Deer and District Museum.
Museum visitors can watch as silent monks from India’s Dzongkar Choede Monastery tap metal tools that drop coloured sand onto a tabletop design in the Stewart Discovery Studio.
Meditative Himalayan music will, meanwhile, quietly chime in the background.
Khen Rinpoche (or abbot) Jampa Sopa said he hopes this tranquil atmosphere will make museum-goers reflect on the importance of improving their state of mind.
Through an interpreter, Sopa explains anger is a very destructive, negative emotion that takes hold, “like a pain in your body …
“The antidote to it is love, kindness and compassion …”
The abbot, who visits countries around the world, has been returning to Canada regularly since 1999. He said he loves this country and especially its people, who are “so kind.”
Different cultural traditions are allowed to flourish here — and that is special, and “very rare,” Sopa added.
However, the financial picture has not been great in Red Deer since his last visit in 2012. The Alberta economy has gone into a prolonged recession. Many area residents have lost their jobs in the oilfield and related industries, creating a greater sense of collective discontent.
Sopa said it’s one of the reasons he’s returned — to help residents regain their inner peace.
The abbot maintains he’s not advocating everyone become a Buddhist. He is encouraging people to recognize “anger is the enemy,” and embrace peace through whichever practice helps them achieve it.
The geometric mandala, being painstakingly created by monks since Wednesday, is a symbolic representation of the temple of the Buddha of Compassion, said Sopa.
He noted the creation of mandalas is a spiritual tradition that goes back 2,500 years in many countries around the world.
He hopes those who come to watch its creation will have their curiosity piqued, so they will do some “deeper study” into achieving peace, and broadening their sense of empathy and altruism.
The mandala is expected to be finished Sunday. Then the grains of sand will be symbolically released into the river, said the museum’s exhibitions co-ordinator, Kim Verrier.
lmichelin@reddeeradvocate.com
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