{"id":77766,"date":"2026-10-02T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nalandabodhi.org\/?p=77766"},"modified":"2026-10-02T13:45:08","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T20:45:08","slug":"mandalas-as-skillful-means","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nalandabodhi.org\/nl\/2026\/10\/02\/mandalas-as-skillful-means\/","title":{"rendered":"Mandalas as Skillful Means"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"77766\" class=\"elementor elementor-77766\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-section-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-835fa41 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"835fa41\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9519ecb\" data-id=\"9519ecb\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8bfe533 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8bfe533\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Mandalas as Skillful Means<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f00f93b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f00f93b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Healing from Grief Using Co-Created Art<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-002e4c2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"002e4c2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>The word mandala in Sanskrit means \u201ccircle,\u201d a representation of the unity and the infinite nature of the universe. The <a href=\"https:\/\/asia-archive.si.edu\/exhibition\/about-the-mandala\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sacred geometric symbol<\/a> is often used as a physical aid in meditation and spiritual transformation. For me as an artist, the mandala is also a versatile visual medium to get everyone to see a bird\u2019s-eye view of a situation and to teach about impermanence and interdependence.<\/p><p>Since 2012, I have created <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nancyhomarts.com\/mandalas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">dozens of mandalas<\/a>, ranging in size from two and a half feet to twelve feet in diameter. They are created from hundreds of little items that are store-bought or handmade by me or the participants in various events. Preschoolers, high-schoolers, people from the community, seniors, friends, sangha members, and fellow artists have contributed to the art-making activities. Whether it\u2019s to tell the story of a person, a historical event, or a neighborhood, or whether it\u2019s to help a community come to terms with changes, the processes of working together and sharing stories have a transformative effect on both the participants and the audience.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b7665a5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b7665a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Grief Is Universal<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c9ec3e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6c9ec3e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>Several of my mandalas honor those who have passed and help those who are grieving. For example, I organized the construction of a mandala called Open Heart at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.orgyendorjeden.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Orgyen Dorje Den<\/a> for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tlcserves.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TLC Transitional Life Care<\/a>, a group I have been part of for many years. TLC\u2019s presentations by Buddhist lamas, medical practitioners, hospice workers, and other caregivers range from practical advice to profound spiritual guidance on the process of dying. In 2018, I was asked by the director, Julie Rogers, to conduct a hands-on mandala workshop that would help people heal from the loss of family members and friends.<\/p><p>The Open Heart mandala was inspired by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.turningwheel.org.uk\/buddhist_stories\/kisa-gotami-and-the-mustard-seed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Buddhist parable of the mustard seed<\/a>, which tells the story of <a href=\"https:\/\/encyclopediaofbuddhism.org\/wiki\/Kisa_Gotami\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kisa Gotami<\/a>, whose beloved son died at an early age. Refusing to accept his death, this grieving mother carries her lifeless child through the village, asking for medicine for him. Finally, someone tells her to talk to the Buddha, and she begs him for a cure. The Buddha says he can help her\u2014but only if she can bring him a mustard seed from a home untouched by death. Kisa easily finds mustard seeds at each house, but every family has experienced the death of a loved one. Gradually, she comes to realize that her loss is not unique; death is universal to us all. She surrenders her son\u2019s body and asks the Buddha to help her achieve the peace she seeks.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba484bc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ba484bc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Open Heart Mandala<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b2eda45 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b2eda45\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>My usual mandalas take months to create, but we had only four hours to actualize the six-foot mandala at the temple. I created the middle artwork at home and prepared some items before the day of the workshop. I also asked those who were participating to bring objects to honor their loved ones. I began the session by introducing the mandala concept and explained the significance of the pieces in the middle: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ykteMInqG7w\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">thangkas<\/a> of deities, handmade stupa <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tlcserves.org\/creating-tsa-tsas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tsa tsas<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rigpawiki.org\/index.php?title=Eight_auspicious_symbols\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the eight auspicious Buddhist symbols<\/a>, origami lotuses, prayer flags, and mantras.<\/p><p>After my talk, the participants (about half of the fifty attendees) created their own pieces for the mandala. I provided cards for them to write to their loved ones who had died and origami baskets in which to place the special objects and offerings that connected them to their deceased. While they were busy creating their artwork, my assistants and I lit seventy-two tea lights. Placed in the golden <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FJ0Mph9T2Sw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">origami lotus holders<\/a> that I had made for them, they were now ready to be added to the mandala at the end. There was also a row of photos that honored other people in the community who had passed, and a row of paper boats carrying the names of other deceased loved ones\u2014given to me by people who couldn\u2019t attend the workshop. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a8710a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7a8710a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Healing Together<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0fa650c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0fa650c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>After the art activities were done and the mementos were placed in the mandala, I asked everyone in the room to come up, one by one, take a tea light, say the name of someone who had passed, and hand the candle to my assistant, who placed it around the edge of the mandala. We kept going until everyone had named a deceased loved one and the candles filled the perimeter. We then circumambulated the mandala and looked at all the items people had brought and made, contemplating and remembering.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d2d578 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0d2d578\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"525\" height=\"498\" src=\"https:\/\/nalandabodhi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Open-Heart-mandala-1024x972.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-77777\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nalandabodhi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Open-Heart-mandala-1024x972.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nalandabodhi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Open-Heart-mandala-300x285.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nalandabodhi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Open-Heart-mandala-768x729.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nalandabodhi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Open-Heart-mandala-13x12.jpg 13w, https:\/\/nalandabodhi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Open-Heart-mandala.jpg 1152w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Open Heart mandala at Orgyen Dorje Den. \u00a9 Nancy Hom, 2018. Photo by\n<a href=\"http:\/\/bobhsiangphoto.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bob Hsiang<\/a><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21d851b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"21d851b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>It was time for snacks and the closing of the event. I encouraged everyone to take a break, but no one walked away from the circle. They told stories of their loved ones, and they listened to others\u2019 stories. They stood there for a long time with arms entwined, gazing at the flickering tea lights. By grieving together, they saw that they were not alone in their sorrow. The burden had lifted for some, and in their own way, everyone understood a little better the <a href=\"https:\/\/tricycle.org\/magazine\/upaya-meaning\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">upaya<\/a> (skillful means) of the Buddha and the mustard seed tale.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-57b428a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"57b428a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Contemplative Exercise<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6cd61db elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6cd61db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A grief mandala is a skillful way to process the loss of a loved one. Here are step-by-step instructions for creating a small grief mandala with others to honor the memory of eleven people. The size of the circle and the number of honorees is not fixed. You should feel free to adapt these guidelines for a personal experience.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u058e\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Make a round black base that\u2019s roughly sixteen inches in diameter. Use a template (for example, a pizza pan, cake round, wreath form, or hoop) to trace a circle onto a slightly bigger piece of black construction paper. I used a dart board as the template for the sample pictured here. Cut out the circle. Alternatively, you can buy a black cardboard circle from a craft store (or use a different color if you prefer).\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u058e Find a picture of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.himalayanart.org\/search\/set.cfm?setID=171\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Amitabha<\/a>, an endless knot, a lotus, or another meaningful image that\u2019s four or five inches in diameter. Use an old CD or a small plate to trace a circle over the image and then cut it out. For support, attach the image on top of the CD with double-sided tape or paste it onto a round piece of cardboard. Place this image in the middle of the mandala on top of a slightly raised platform. I used a jar lid this time, but you can use stacked coasters, a small dish, or something else that\u2019s small, round, and about one inch high. It won\u2019t be seen.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8a33173 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8a33173\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"525\" height=\"525\" src=\"https:\/\/nalandabodhi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Nancy-Hom.sample-mandala-1024x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-77784\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nalandabodhi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Nancy-Hom.sample-mandala-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nalandabodhi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Nancy-Hom.sample-mandala-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nalandabodhi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Nancy-Hom.sample-mandala-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/nalandabodhi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Nancy-Hom.sample-mandala-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nalandabodhi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Nancy-Hom.sample-mandala-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/nalandabodhi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Nancy-Hom.sample-mandala-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/nalandabodhi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Nancy-Hom.sample-mandala.jpg 1152w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">An example of a small grief mandala. \u00a9 Nancy Hom, 2026. Photo by\n<a href=\"https:\/\/pbase.com\/bobhsiangphoto\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bob Hsiang<\/a><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ac09c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5ac09c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>\u058e If you are making a mandala this size, you\u2019ll need to prepare eleven tea light candles. If your circle is a different size, prepare enough candles to fill the perimeter.<\/p><p>\u058e Invite friends to co-create this little mandala for those who have died. For the gathering, each person should bring a few small objects that evoke the memory of their deceased loved one: jewelry, shells, small photos, charms, marbles, dice, beads, candy, a slip of paper with their name, and so on.<\/p><p>\u058e Make <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=TLi9jNco61I\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">origami boats<\/a>, buy bamboo appetizer boats, or use other similar items as vessels. For this sample mandala, I used bamboo boats that are two and a half inches wide and five inches long. Each person puts their mementos in one of the vessels and then places it so they radiate from the middle like flower petals.<\/p><p>\u058e After everyone has filled a boat and added it to the mandala, each participant then lights a candle, says their deceased person\u2019s name out loud, and places it in a space between the boats in the mandala. Once you become comfortable with creating small mandalas, you can start with a bigger circular base and add more concentric rows around the middle to include more people and more offerings.<\/p><p>\u058e After the candles are lit, gather around the mandala and contemplate for a few minutes. Life is impermanent, and death happens to us all. People can share more about the person they are honoring, if they wish.<\/p><p>\u058e Recite a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lotsawahouse.org\/topics\/sukhavati-aspiration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sukhavati prayer<\/a> or express your wishes for the deceased. Feel the mutual support and empathy from everyone in the room. Rest in that energy and know you are not alone in your grief. Dedicate the merit by wishing that all beings be free from suffering.<\/p><p><em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">A Note from the Editor<\/span>: We know how creative and compassionate our readers are, and we\u2019d love to see your artwork. Following the Tara Drupchen and in this month leading up to Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), if you make a grief mandala on your own or with friends and are willing to share the images, please send your photos to <a href=\"mailto:silkNblaze@gmail.com\">silkNblaze@gmail.com<\/a>. We\u2019d love to do a follow-up article with your beautiful, heartfelt mandalas.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a6dcb63 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a6dcb63\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-549ae9a\" data-id=\"549ae9a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9fc01c9 elementor-author-box--image-valign-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-77788 elementor-widget-author-box\" data-id=\"9fc01c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"author-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/nancyhomarts.com\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"elementor-author-box__avatar\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nalandabodhi.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Nancy-Hom-pic-300x246.jpg\" alt=\"Nancy Hom\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/nancyhomarts.com\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box__name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNancy Hom\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box__bio\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>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<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cLife is impermanent, and death happens to us all. . . . Know you are not alone in your grief.\u201d<\/p>","protected":false},"author":63,"featured_media":77797,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[3009],"tags":[3412,3418,3409],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Mandalas as Skillful Means - Nalandabodhi International<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"\u201cLife is impermanent, and death happens to us all. . . . 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