A Buddhist sand mandala was constructed in memory of the late City of Calgary alderman John Ayer (1925-2011) at Fort Calgary from September 25-October 2, 2011.

IN MEMORY OF JOHN AYER
John Ayer (1925-2011) was a City of Calgary alderman who, amongst his many other projects, worked tirelessly to preserve Fort Calgary as a historic site for visitors and citizens to enjoy. His family arranged for a Buddhist sand mandala to be created in his memory.

ABOUT SAND MANDALAS
The creation of mandalas, made of coloured sand, is an exacting and intensely artistic process which requires years of training. The rituals involved in their creation are deeply spiritual, going far beyond the mere placement of the sand in a pattern. The destruction of the mandala after its creation symbolizes the impermanence of our lives.

ABOUT THE ARTIST
Lama Tenzin Tsundu grew up in the exiled Tibetan community in Dharamsala, India, where he trained in Buddhist philosophy and mandala art. He spent eighteen years in the monastery and retinue of the Dalai Lama before moving to Canada. Lama Tsundu lives and works at the Kathok Gonpa Temple near Coombs on Vancouver Island.