Mandala is a geometric design that holds great symbolism. (Photo: adobe.com)
By UCA News reporter, Seoul
Dec 7 2020
Mandala artworks created by 10 Sacred Heart nuns go on display in Seoul and Daegu
Catholic nuns in South Korea have arranged for exhibitions of special arts to support people affected by the coronavirus.
The nuns from the Sacred Heart of Jesus Congregation have prepared over 300 pieces of mandala artworks to put on display in two exhibitions in capital city Seoul and Daegu, the fourth-largest city of the East Asian nation.
The artworks created by 10 nuns represent the inner self and dreaming of healing, growth, integration and peace. They also hold the added meaning of healing the heart from wounds such as anger, sadness, resentment, anger and despair.
The exhibition at Seoul concluded on Nov. 27 and the one in Daegu runs until Dec. 5.
The nuns said all earnings from the exhibitions will go to people affected by the deadly Covid-19 virus.
Mandala (Sanskrit for “circle”) is a geometric design that holds great symbolism about representation of different aspects of the universe and is used for meditation and prayer in Hindu and Buddhist cultures. It is highly popular in East Asian countries including Japan, China and Korea.
A spiritual and ritual symbol in a host of Asian countries, mandalas are circles contained within a square and arranged into sections around a single, central point. Typically, mandalas are produced on paper or cloth and drawn with threads, bronze or stone.
The exhibitions have attracted a significant number of visitors, reported Catholic Times.
One of the nuns said they want to offer solace to distressed people with their artworks in the time of crisis.
“In a situation where the entire people are under disaster and stress, it will be difficult for everyone to manage their own minds. If I can ease my anxious mind a little while doing it, I have nothing more to hope for,” the nun said.
The nuns said their mandala arts on healing of the heart have drawn inspiration from use of psychological healing from textbooks explaining the mandala. They have learned how mandala drawings heal wounds of the hearts and heal others unconsciously.
This process of healing is as “directed by one’s heart is the process of meeting the kingdom of God,” the nuns say.
The nuns also plan to help people suffering from depression or panic disorder from the proceeds of the exhibition.
“I hope that all those who come to the exhibition will get positive energy and develop immunity of the heart,” a nun said.
South Korea had recorded 36,332 infections and 536 deaths from the coronavirus as of Dec. 4, according to the ministry of health and welfare. – UCANews
