<< Mandalas are created by placing millions of grains of colored sand into a pattern of geometric shapes and spiritual symbols. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

The monk will create a pattern of Tibetan iconography and Buddhist spiritual symbols this week in the sanctuary at 959 Madison Ave.

Beginning with a ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday, the monk, who lives in Dutchess County, will work daily for five hours through Friday, and his progress will be on public view daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. On Friday at 3 p.m., the mandala will be dispersed into a nearby body of water to emphasize the "impermanence of all things."

Mandalas are created by placing millions of grains of colored sand into a pattern of geometric shapes and spiritual symbols. The grains are typically laid into place on a flat platform over a period of several days or weeks.

While a sand mandala is a product of long and painstaking effort, it's a temporary work of art. As part of closing ceremonies, the mandala is destroyed to "release and disseminate the deity's blessings into the world to benefit all sentient beings."

The anniversary week also will include a series of talks on different aspects of art and religion. All lectures will be held in the sanctuary and include:

7 p.m. Monday, "Art and the Catholic Church -- An Uneasy Relationship?" by the Rev. David Mickiewicz from the Albany Roman Catholic Diocese.

5:30 p.m. Tuesday, "Buddhism and Impermanence," by Laura Weed from the College of Saint Rose.

Noon Wednesday, "Buddhism and Tibetan History," by Tong Xu from the College of Saint Rose.

3 p.m. Wednesday, "Arrested Development: Christians Who Work for Peace and Risk Arrest," by Fred Boehrer from the College of Saint Rose.

7 p.m. Wednesday, "The Beauty and Meaning of Islamic Calligraphy," by University at Albany graduate student Talib Talib.

7 p.m. Thursday, "On the 'Cutting Edge' of Jewish Spirituality -- Finding a Path Through the Visual Arts," by Albany artist and teacher Chana Cotter.

Admission to all events is free. For information, call the Office of Spiritual Life at 454-5250.