About the Mandala
We Dream a World
This mandala honors the values of love, generosity, openness, compassion, and creativity—qualities that are necessary for the caring of the planet and each other. The fists emphasize the activism needed to fight for the world we want. The origami cranes symbolize freedom, peace, and healing. The hearts and outstretched hands indicate a willingness to engage with others openly. The lotuses, which blossom despite harsh conditions, offer hope and resilience. The other flowers, printed with poetry and music, are the creative gifts we offer. The row of icons features healing symbols of many cultures, and the cards in the outer row, made by community members, depict the kind of world they want to see. We are not alone in our aspiration.
Connecting Art with the Sangha
If we think of Nalandabodhi as a giant mandala, with our guru in the center and the lamas and mitras in the next row, we can see how we are all connected. Everyone, from the people closest to Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche to the ones who are just beginning at NB or those who rarely have a chance to see the guru and mitras, seek a connection to DPR and his vision. Communication is key to maintaining that connection and to promoting a sense of unity. People need and want to feel included as part of the same mandala. My goal as an artist and as a sangha member is to help people find that sense of belonging, to help them be seen and recognized as individuals, and to make everyone feel appreciated.
Credit: We Dream a World, 4-ft. mandala, © Nancy Hom 2025
We Are All Part of One Another
Tribute to Yuri Kochiyama
To be part of one another is to know
That when you breathe I heave with you
And when you sigh I cry beside you.
We are breath and water, each of us
Passing from one vessel to another
In the mandala of life.
Knowing this, we would delve into
The deepest part of ourselves
To see the brilliance inside others.
We would be more careful with words
And protest deeds that hurt and harm.
We would guard the earth
As if it were our hallowed home.
Knowing we are not separate
We fight for freedom and justice
With fierce rage cupped in compassion.
For we cannot be free if one of us is not.
We cannot reap riches if one of us has none.
We cannot fully love if one of us is hated.
Fight for prisoners wrongly jailed.
Protect the rights of women raped.
Free all immigrants detained by ICE.
Stand with Muslims against the ban.
Rebuild black churches burned by hate.
Fight for sacred land and clean water.
Preserve mountains, forests, and streams.
Protest greedy politicians’ plunder.
Cry for bears shot in their sleep.
Control the climate before it’s too late.
Beyond her life, Yuri’s words live on
In every continent, every country, every town.
“We are all part of one another.”
Rise up and fight as one.
© Nancy Hom, April 30, 2017
Nancy Hom is an artist, writer, curator, community organizer, and Nalandabodhi sangha member based in San Francisco. Her work over the past 50 years has focused on passionate engagement through artistic projects as she seeks to empower and connect people through art and leadership. Through her posters, poetry, illustrations, installations, and curatorial work, she uses the arts to affirm the histories, struggles, and contributions of diverse communities. Since 2012, she has created over 26 large-scale mandalas that offer reflections on change, interdependence, and common purpose. nancyhomarts.com
