Imagine that you are watching a group of Tibetan Buddhist monks working on a sand mandala, carefully and meticulously adding colorful sand grains onto a flat surface to create a beautiful design. Once completed, the mandala represents a sacred and intricate spiritual symbol. However, once the monks complete the mandala, they proceed to dismantle it, scattering the sand grains into a nearby body of water. This apparent destruction of the beautiful mandala can be viewed as an embodiment of the Buddhist concept of emptiness.
The sand mandala is not permanent, and its existence does not depend on a fixed or inherent nature. It is simply an intricate and beautiful design, dependent on various conditions and created by the careful attention of the monks. The disintegration of the mandala is a reminder to us that all phenomena, including ourselves and the world around us, are empty of inherent existence and are subject to impermanence and change. By contemplating this example of emptiness, we can begin to let go of our attachment to fixed ideas and identities, and focus on the interdependence and impermanence of all phenomena. This can lead to greater wisdom, compassion, and a deeper understanding of the nature of reality.