The mandala created by the Tibetan Monks was discharged into the Mississippi River Friday following a chanting ceremony. It is interesting that this ancient art form has similarities with the Mardi Gras Indian creations. Both involved very detailed, colorful, and elaborate visual creations. Both involve dedicated, inspired, and determined individuals.

One significant difference is the manner in which the art work is displayed and than dissolved into water. Many of the Mardi Gras Indian costumes were dissolved by the flooding that occured post Katrina.

These colorful and detailed art works both involved many hours of time and meditation. I imagine that when someone sits down to add thousands of beads to a design there is a sort of ritualized meditation that becomes ingrained in the artist. The tradition is carried on one generation to the next and exhibited for the community-at-large. 

Are theirs the prayers for the community that are heard when the Indians' chant? The chanting of the monks seemed very deep and soulful. The Indians chant from their histories and their traditions. Perhaps we might look at the Mardi Gras Indians as the Medicine Men and Women of our city.

We will not allow the harsh acts of a few at a Mother's Day Second Line to destroy that sacred tradition. We shall certainly carry on just as the Tibetans have after the horrific loss of their homeland.