Mandala Research

Welcome! I’m an artist and experimental filmmaker. This blog is about my travels in India on a Fulbright research project called, “Indo-Tibetan Mandalas: Blueprints for Discovering the Nature of Mind and Reality.” It documents the entire process, from pre-departure, through travels in the Himalayas for four months, my return to the U.S., and what I have done post-research. The purpose of this blog is educational, to share results of my work through presenting photographs, videos, writings, anecdotes, and other engaging discoveries that Fulbright made possible.

My project takes a look at the roots of Himalayan Buddhist art, from its Indian beginnings through its Tibetan transmission, and how such art functions as a guide for meditation. In this way, mandalas continue to have relevance today. Neuroscientific studies link meditation practice to beneficial changes in emotions as well as the structure and function of the brain. Increasingly, mindfulness practices are used in contemporary clinical, educational, and therapeutic settings to positive ends.

During my time in India from late August to December, 2013, I spent September in the high Himalayan altitudes of Spiti, Lahaul, and Ladakh regions traveling to monasteries in search of 10th-12th century mandalas. I visited Tabo, Key, Dhangkar, and Lhalung monasteries in Spiti; Kardang, Guru Ghantal (Gandhola), Tayul, Shashur, Markul Devi, Phakpa, Poekar, Jabjes monasteries in Lahaul; Alchi, Mangyu, Likir, Lamayuru, Hemis, Shey, Thiksey monasteries in Ladakh. I’ve written about most of these sites here. You can see photographs and some videos of their incredible interiors. Oh, and I also trekked to the summit of Drilbu Ri Mountain, an exhilarating experience of what local Tibetans informed me was a living mandala at over 15,000 feet high. I still gasp when I think about it now! From remembering the amazing climb, and being out of breath in high altitude, to the incredible and enduring wonder this unexpected adventure indelibly inscribed in my heart.

After completing travels to the above places, I went down to the Himalayan foothills of Dharamsala, home of Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and Namgyal Monastery. That was a lovely base to continue research from October to early December. I also observed a Mind & Life conference while there and wrote about it here, documented Yamantaka ritual, and traveled to local contemporary Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and institutes for comparative examples of modern mandalas and sacred art. These were Zigar, Sherabling, Dorzong, Khampagar monasteries, and Dzongsar Khyentse Chokyi Lodro and Deer Park institutes.

Lastly, later in December, I traveled south to Ajanta and Ellora Caves near the city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra to see Indian Buddhist art which preceded the 10th century. What an eye-opening trip! I’ll never think of the word “cave” the same again. These were not dark holes dug into cliffsides. They were sophisticated excavations with fully designed architecture, elaborate wall paintings, bas reliefs, and sculptures.

Since my return to the U.S. in late December, 2013, I have completed four short documentaries of the interiors of Tabo Monastery, Lamayuru Monastery, Mangyu Monastery, and Lhalung Monastery. I feel honored to have received permission to visually archive these historic, rare Tibetan sacred sites for research and educational purposes when, ordinarily, photography is prohibited. In addition, I completed a feature length documentary of Yamantaka, a ten-day-long annual ritual performed at Namgyal Monastery. This Fulbright documentary series is now part of the collection of Library of Tibetan Works & Archives in India, as well as Columbia University Tibetan Studies Collection of the C. V. Starr East Asian Library in New York City. The most current documentary completed is Hemis Monastery.

Additionally, I have continued creating new artwork inspired by my Fulbright research and enriching experiences in India, writing new entries for this blog, as well as giving Fulbright Artist Talks at art organizations, colleges, and community centers. These visual presentations have been wonderful opportunities for live discussions with audience members, and I have been so happy to fulfill the Fulbright mission of cultural exchange on the home side.

Thank you for visiting, and I hope you enjoy reading these pages!