Chenrezig Sand Mandala of Love and Compassion

Today the girls met up and went and photographed the bluebells in Hagley Park.
The light was just right for them, but the bluebells are almost over but they still put on a great display.
Later we went for lunch and then went to Riccarton House, to see the Buddhist monks making this sand pattern. It takes them about a fortnight, as it is so intricate and they are specialists making the exact proportions and details as laid down in ancient Buddhist texts.
The position they sit in - crossed legs and leaning forward, is very difficult, and their eyesight has to be so good. I believe that they get massaged at the end of the day, as they are in this position from 9 am - 4 pm.
This shows one of the monks stroking a metal tube, where the sand comes out the end. Different colours are used, and depending on the stroke, how much sand comes out the end.
I will return another day to see where they are up too.