"In (American) culture we are so goal oriented that it's surprising to see something beautiful being destroyed," said Khyber Oser (sophomore-English), co-president of Students for a Free Tibet.

In addition to destroying the sand mandala, the monks lectured to an audience of 50 people last night on the theme "Opening the Heart to Universal Kindness." Combining meditation, chanting and lecture, the monks emphasized the necessity of compassion and love for the overall wellness of humanity.

No human can survive without the help of others, said Ngawang Toshi, one of the monks of Drepung Loseling, which emphasizes the welfare of all people. Toshi said the interdependence of humanity is evident in everything from the clothes people wear to the cars they drive. Since few people create these things themselves, their existence requires the help of others. As a result, all people should repay the kindness they have benefited from with universal love and compassion, he said.

Though Toshi emphasized universal kindness is an integral part of the Buddhist religion, he said such values transcend religious identification. All people share a desire to be cared for and to be free from suffering, Toshi said. The universality of many Buddhist practices was demonstrated by the lecture's interactive nature. Toshi asked audience members to meditate throughout the lecture and encouraged the audience to develop its skills in commanding the mind to function as desired.

The mandala ceremony included participation on the part of the audience as well. Members of the audience were allowed to take some of the sand from the mandala. This shared the blessings and healing energy of the ceremony with others, Toshi said.

"Making the mandala represents the universe in its divine form," Toshi said. "Dismantling it represents the impermanence of our lives."

The monks maintain a busy schedule, having visited more than 120 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico since leaving their monastery in India last January.

Erin Abraham (senior-liberal studies), a member of Penn State Students for a Free Tibet, said her time with the Drepung Loseling monks was inspiring. Listening to the monks speak and watching their creation of the mandala was beautiful, Abraham said, before trading addresses with one of the departing monks.

"Their mission for peace is so true and it seems to come straight from their hearts," she said.