The Bijala journal

Within Tibetan Buddhist practice, a mandala represents a sacred world. Its creation is a disciplined act of attention and devotion. The closing ceremony, when the grains are gathered again, makes impermanence visible.

At White Buddha Temple, the Mahāvairocana mandala was made between 4 and 18 December 2025. Twenty Gelug monks took part. The sand in our lockets comes from that ceremony.

I grew up in New York with a Tibetan mother. My winters at the temple became part of the relationship from which Bijala grew.

That relationship matters more than a borrowed symbol. It is why we can show the ceremony, name the place and explain how the sand reached our hands.

You might turn yours before leaving home or when someone comes to mind. There is no routine to follow on our behalf.

The sand stays inside its sealed compartment. The movement belongs to the locket; the meaning belongs to the person wearing it.

Apply perfume and lotion before putting your jewelry on. Take it off for showers, swimming, sleep and exercise. Keep it away from cleaning products and prolonged moisture.

After wearing, wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth. Store it separately in its pouch. Avoid abrasive polish and ultrasonic cleaning, and do not try to open the sand compartment.

If something needs attention, contact us before attempting a repair. We will help you work out the next step.