Ancient Tibetan Sand Mandala Installation Comes to London for Buddhist Film Festival

Tibetan monks will create and ceremonially dissolve a traditional sand mandala at London's Oxo Gallery as part of the Buddhist Film Festival, celebrating art, reflection and impermanence.

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.

Tricycle Film Festival Expands Globally Through Partnership with Pure Land Foundation

Pure Land Foundation, a UK-based philanthropic organisation focused on social, spiritual and emotional well-being, announces a new collaboration with Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, North America’s leading Buddhist publication, to co-present the 2026 Buddhist Film Festival.

Returning in June 2026, the festival marks its most expansive and internationally oriented edition to date. A carefully curated programme of five short films and five feature-length works will explore themes rooted in Buddhist philosophy and practice. Screenings will be available online across a two-week period, extending access to a global audience.

For the first time, the festival will introduce a flagship physical activation in London. Hosted at OXO Gallery on the South Bank, Pure Land Foundation will present a five-day public Sand Mandala installation, created live by senior visiting Tibetan Buddhist monks. 

Unfolding in real time within one of the city’s most active cultural spaces, the installation offers a rare encounter with a centuries-old sacred art form. A series of accompanying sound bath sessions will further open the space for reflection and engagement.

Alongside the festival, Pure Land Foundation will launch a new digital submission platform, inviting filmmakers worldwide to contribute work for consideration. Selected films will be presented across five categories: Documentary Short, Animated Short, Narrative Short, LGBTQ+ Short, and Vertical Short.

Held ahead of the autumn festival circuit, the Buddhist Film Festival occupies a distinct place within the international calendar, foregrounding ethical inquiry, philosophical depth and accessibility over premieres and market dynamics.

Bruno Wang, founder of the Pure Land Foundation, will serve as chairman of the 2026 festival, which has been programmed by Tricycle’s curator and acclaimed producer Shrihari Sathe since the festival’s inception in 2024.

“This partnership is about more than cinema, it’s about cultural dialogue,” Bruno Wang told That's Books and More.

“In a fragmented world, film offers a powerful way to surface timeless values such as compassion and mindfulness and make them relevant to contemporary audiences across cultures.”

Sam Mowe, Tricycle’s publisher, told us: “We are happy to partner with the Pure Land Foundation, whose mission aligns with our commitment to disseminate Buddhist teachings.” 

He added that “proceeds from the festival will be used to expand our free offerings, such as Buddhism for Beginners, our Daily Dharma email and app, and our online-learning scholarship program.”

The Tricycle Film Festival continues its tradition of presenting innovative storytelling, showcasing films that highlight diverse perspectives and narratives rooted in Buddhist thought. With the new partnership, the festival expands its international reach and deepens its cultural impact.

Pure Land Foundation supports initiatives that promote social, spiritual and emotional wellness through the arts. Founded by philanthropist Bruno Wang, the foundation champions projects that inspire compassion, foster cultural exchange, and cultivate deeper awareness of humanity’s shared values.

Founded in 1991, Tricycle is a leading independent Buddhist publication and foundation dedicated to making Buddhist teachings and practices broadly available. Through its quarterly magazine, online platform, and events, Tricycle fosters dialogue across Buddhist traditions and engages contemporary issues through a Buddhist lens.

https://purelandfoundation.com

https://tricycle.org