The Ven. Dhondup Tsering creates the center of a sand mandala inside Myers Fine Art Lobby Gallery at Plattsburgh State. This mandala, which represents compassion, is part of the Tibetan Art of Mandala festivities, which includes master painter Tsering Phuntsok demonstrating the art of thangka painting. Question-and-answer sessions will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. today and Wednesday. Consecration of the mandala starts at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, followed by a dismantling ceremony at 1:30 p.m. and a procession to the Saranac River to disperse the sand. All events are free. Staff Writer Robin Caudell will write about the mandala's creation for Friday's Faith & Spirituality page.

(Staff Photo/Robin Caudell)

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