The the design that was created symbolized compassion. Each color incorporated in the design represents one of the four elements. The green makes a fifth element - space.
The monk made designs with a toothpick in the sand. Just before I left, he started to fill in the design with red sand.
These are the offerings that were placed on the altar. On the wall behind the table were textiles with the image of the Buddha on them.
Before the monk started constructing the sand mandala, he talked to the group about what Buddhism is about. He said that Buddhism teaches about ending the suffering in your life by learning how to be content with the things that you have, showing compassion towards other people, and living your life in the present moment - don't focus on the things you should have done, and don't think about things that are too far ahead in the future. Which is a roundabout way of saying happiness is found within yourself, and not the material objects the world has to offer.
I agree a lot with the Buddhist teachings. I think a person can only be happy by making the changes that they want to see in themselves. I learned a little about Buddhism last year and one of the teachings that change is neutral, the person who is experiencing the change makes it a positive or a negative. From personal experience, I've become a happier person keeping this in mind.
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