Mandala sand painting is one of the most famous and delicate forms of Tibetan Buddhist art.  Monks go out to look for special white sand and dye it different colors. Then, they spend weeks, even months, depicting the mandala – the dwelling, city or heaven of Buddha. It is said that Buddha himself taught his disciples to make the mandala sand painting 2,500 years ago, and this exquisite religious art has been passed down through generations.