Tibetan monks from the Drepung Gomang Monastery — the largest of Tibet’s monasteries — visited The Steward School’s Bryan Innovation Lab Feb. 18-21.

The monks created a sand mandala — a very detailed, two-dimensional, temporary painting made entirely of colored sand — in the lab's wellness studio. The monks also spent their week visiting with students, leading workshops and performing traditional music and dance.

Additionally during their time at Steward, the monks and school faculty held a discussion on compassion before the monks performed traditional Tibetan music and dance.

During the outdoor closing ceremony, the monks blessed Petronis Pond, located directly in front of The Steward School.

The Tibetan monks visited The Steward School as part of the Bryan Innovation Lab Speaker Series, which is focused on bringing nationally recognized innovators to Richmond. Invited innovators touch one of the Bryan Innovation Lab’s three focus areas: energy and resources, the natural and built environment and health and wellness.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch published an article called "Monks Bring Compassion to The Steward School, One Grain of Sand at a Time" about the monks of Drepung Gomang Monastery and their visit to the Bryan Innovation Lab.