Tibetan Monks Come to Central Florida Community College Ocala.

Tibetan monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery, in Atlanta Georgia, visited Central Florida Community College and created a Mandala sand painting this past week.

According to a brochure produced by Richard Gere and the Drepung Loseling Monastery, “ in Tibetan, the art of the colored sand painting is called dultson kyilkhor, which literally means “Mandala of colored powders.” Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning cosmogram or “world in harmony.” The brochure also points out that “To construct the Mandala, millions of grains of sand are painstaking laid into place on a flat platform over a period of days” and ultimately “when finished, the Mandala is destroyed to symbolize the impermanence of all that exists.”

The following pictures were taken at the CFCC Webber Center last Tuesday. The images show the Tibetan monks putting incredible effort and craftsmanship into a piece of art that will only be in existence for four days.

The monks created the Mandala much like musicians create music, except the monks used colored sand and cone shaped funnel styluses instead of musical instruments. The Mandala seemed to magically appear on the table as the monks flowed off each other. They moved around and communicated non-verbally, silently letting each other know which colors to use and where to put them on the board. The only sound to be heard was the rhythmic scratching on the styluses to release the colored powders onto the table. The monks seemed to be in a grove much like a well-tuned jazz band playing a sweet song.

The Mandala created by the monks may be impermanent, but the effect of being in the presence of such a wonderful event is something that will forever be etched in the minds of all that witnessed this artful and peaceful exhibition.

For more information on the Mystical Arts of Tibet, visit the website: www.mysticalartsoftibet.org

To contribute to the Drepung Loseling Education fund. Please visit the web site: www.drepung.org

A few photos I took from Palm Beach Florida. The view of the Atlantic and the elegant chandelier belong to the Breakers Hotel.

An old Bucyrus Erie crane working a rock pit in Bronson Florida. I thought it looked beautiful in a worn out kind of way.

Bo Diddley grave site in Rosemary Hill Cemetery in his hometown of Bronson, FL.

The tombstone is a sight to behold. You can see it from the road as you drive west on State Road 24 heading towards downtown Bronson.

Beautiful memorial for a beautiful man.

Jenna McKenna goes for the steal during action at BYL's Bo Diddley Park

Photos of our garden and the start of our first harvest, mostly purple hull peas.

Took a couple pictures of a God car cruising down International Drive in Orlando today.

The beautiful Cincinnati Riverfront. I shot it last week from Newport Kentucky.

Williston's D.J. King is tagged out at the plate by Keystone catcher Duddy Lott. King is a special athlete with exceptional speed and body control. King seems to just love playing sports. (look at the visible smile on his face after the exciting collision at the plate.)

I got a picture of photographer Chris Anderson working Lenora Floyd's UF Graduation reception this past Sunday. (Chris is a total pro)

Blayn Press and Jeffrey Frazier work together to move their canoe over the final log obstacle of the Wild Hog canoe race.

Williston third baseman Andrew Poupard waits for the throw while North Marion's Kyle Freemuth slides in safely as the ball bounces off his chin.

Stopped to take a photo of the road(CR121) through the Goethe Forest in Levy county. It was a perfect day to ride on the motorcycle.

Local punk band My Friend The King performing in Williston. They have a distinctive sound - Vocoder - thrash punk.

Jenna and Baby Kitty Ruthie

Williston freshman Max White uses a good eye, perfect balance and exceptional hitting mechanics to make great contact (line drives) just about every time he comes to the plate.

He is one of the better young players in the area.

Chiefland shortstop Adam Burton leaps for the ball as Williston's Derrick Milam slides in safely. Milam ended up scoring as Williston defeated Chiefland 18-6

Williston 2009 ACS Relay for life - Luminaria remembrance lap

Bronson pitcher Kelby Barber brings it submarine style.

Williston Band Director Alvin "AJ" Johnson conducts the Red Devil Marching One Hundred

Bronson pitcher Brittany Shipp in the middle of her windup. She can bring the heat!

Williston first baseman Charlie Hilton attemps to tag P.K. Yonge speedster Justin Cummings.

Gainesville All State guard, Greg Gantt heads for the basket against Tampa King in the state championship series Final Four in Lakeland.

Williston's Christian Morris gets ready to release a heater against Ocala Trinity Catholic

Target store in Ocala Fl. -- I liked the way the sky looked behind the bright red & white store facade.

Bronson's William Baez takes it to the rack against Seven Rivers. Baez helped lead the Bronson Middle Eagles to an undefeated "Perfect 15-0" season.

Hawthorne's Whitney Taylor and Branford's Sarah Stringfellow battle under the boards during the district tournament in Trenton.

Funky "Wireless Electric" car, shot in Ocala Fl

Bronson's C.J. King rushes the ball upcourt as Bell defenders Jady Gray and James Thomas give chase

Dixie County point guard Cord Hart drives to the basket as Williston's Jacques Edwards defends.