Visitors to London’s iconic Oxo Tower Wharf will soon have the opportunity to witness an extraordinary artistic and spiritual tradition as part of this year's Buddhist Film Festival.
From 17th to 21st June, the Oxo Gallery will host a live sand mandala installation created by Tibetan monks, offering a fascinating glimpse into a centuries-old practice that combines artistry, meditation and profound philosophical meaning.
Presented through a collaboration between the Pure Land Foundation and Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, the free event aims to shine a spotlight on the Buddhist Film Festival, which begins online on 16th June and promises its most accessible and international programme yet.
For five days, visitors will be able to watch as monks carefully construct an intricate sand mandala using finely coloured grains of sand. The elaborate geometric patterns are created entirely by hand, requiring immense patience, concentration and precision.
What makes the event particularly intriguing is that the completed artwork is not intended to last.
On Sunday 21st June, the finished mandala will be ceremonially destroyed in a traditional dissolution ritual. While that may sound surprising, the act is central to Buddhist teachings, symbolising impermanence and reminding us that all things, no matter how beautiful or significant, are ultimately temporary.
The installation reflects many of the themes explored by the Buddhist Film Festival itself. The festival showcases a carefully curated selection of short and feature-length films inspired by Buddhist philosophy, contemplative practice and cross-cultural understanding. Alongside works from established filmmakers, the online fringe programme provides a platform for emerging voices exploring spirituality, compassion and human connection through cinema.
Bruno Wang, founder of the Pure Land Foundation and co-curator of the festival, believes both the sand mandala and the film programme offer valuable opportunities for reflection in an increasingly fast-paced world.
He explains that the creation and destruction of the mandala demonstrates how meaning can be found in the process itself rather than in permanence, encouraging visitors to slow down and engage more deeply with the present moment.
As an added bonus, visitors attending the Oxo Gallery installation will receive an exclusive code granting free access to the full Buddhist Film Festival programme.
Whether you're interested in world cinema, cultural traditions, spirituality or simply witnessing a remarkable artistic achievement unfold before your eyes, this unique event promises a memorable and thought-provoking experience in the heart of London.
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