Thursday, January 7, 2010
PARLIAMENT OF WORLD RELIGIONS MANDALAS
Mandala Writing at the Parliament of World Religions - Melbourne 2009
During this week long event we were invited to present a Mandala exhibition accompanied by tables where individuals could write their own mandala or place a prayer/positive affirmation on the fabric Parliament Communal Mandala.
The Mandala Writings area was part of the Visual Arts Presentations and not a publicity booth, as were all the other representatives in the Exhibition Centre. The main volume of events were held in the new Convention Centre which is now attached to the Exhibition Centre. Our area was huge being 6m x 6m, with an ability to place mandalas both sides of the 2.4 metre high walls, if we chose!
The write up in the PWR program book read as follows: "Jenny Funston is the Oceanic Representative for the International department of Byakko Shinko Kai, promoting the universal peace message, 'MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH'. Mandala Writings is an interactive workshop where a fabric community Mandala will be created over the duration of the PWR week. PWR pariticpants are invited to visit Jenny and join in by writing their messages of peace and positive thoughts and contribute to creating this unique Mandala representing different cultures and spiritual traditions. There will also be a colourful display of completed Mandalas for all to enjoy with the revealing of the Parliament of World's Religions very own Mandala upon its completion. All ages welcome."
It has been suggested by the Chairs of the Visual Arts committee that they will get the Mandala framed so that it can become part of any Spiritual Art Exhibitions that occur in Australia or further afield in the future. We shall see.
The Mandala writing was available from 9am to 7.30pm each day so it was a big ask for seven days straight. It was such a wonderful opportunity to share with so many different people.
We were down the very back of the huge centre and it was like a mini peace sanctuary for all who visited. Many commented on the beautiful energy of peace and tranquility amidst the other hustle and bustle.
The communal mandala was very popular and visitors were so happy to contribute something from their hearts.
Many wrote individual mandalas too, but most, due to time constraints in going to talks, etc, just took information and/or blank mandala sheets.
It was such a wonderful experience to be involved with PWR in my home country and capital city and I'm a very happy person. I met such lovely people from different cultures, religions, spiritual traditions, etc, and found that we all really are the same.
During this week long event we were invited to present a Mandala exhibition accompanied by tables where individuals could write their own mandala or place a prayer/positive affirmation on the fabric Parliament Communal Mandala.
The Mandala Writings area was part of the Visual Arts Presentations and not a publicity booth, as were all the other representatives in the Exhibition Centre. The main volume of events were held in the new Convention Centre which is now attached to the Exhibition Centre. Our area was huge being 6m x 6m, with an ability to place mandalas both sides of the 2.4 metre high walls, if we chose!
The write up in the PWR program book read as follows: "Jenny Funston is the Oceanic Representative for the International department of Byakko Shinko Kai, promoting the universal peace message, 'MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH'. Mandala Writings is an interactive workshop where a fabric community Mandala will be created over the duration of the PWR week. PWR pariticpants are invited to visit Jenny and join in by writing their messages of peace and positive thoughts and contribute to creating this unique Mandala representing different cultures and spiritual traditions. There will also be a colourful display of completed Mandalas for all to enjoy with the revealing of the Parliament of World's Religions very own Mandala upon its completion. All ages welcome."
It has been suggested by the Chairs of the Visual Arts committee that they will get the Mandala framed so that it can become part of any Spiritual Art Exhibitions that occur in Australia or further afield in the future. We shall see.
The Mandala writing was available from 9am to 7.30pm each day so it was a big ask for seven days straight. It was such a wonderful opportunity to share with so many different people.
We were down the very back of the huge centre and it was like a mini peace sanctuary for all who visited. Many commented on the beautiful energy of peace and tranquility amidst the other hustle and bustle.
The communal mandala was very popular and visitors were so happy to contribute something from their hearts.
Many wrote individual mandalas too, but most, due to time constraints in going to talks, etc, just took information and/or blank mandala sheets.
It was such a wonderful experience to be involved with PWR in my home country and capital city and I'm a very happy person. I met such lovely people from different cultures, religions, spiritual traditions, etc, and found that we all really are the same.
About Me
Peace Flag Ceremony
Offering the universal prayer "May Peace Prevail On Earth" for each country of the world, symbolically using the flag of each nation.