Rubin Museum Mandala Lab

Do your emotions sometimes get the better of you? Have you ever regretted words uttered in anger? If so, you are invited to attend the Mandala Lab Workshop. Inspired by a Tibetan Buddhist teaching, the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art has created a guide through the five afflictions of Pride, Attachment, Envy, Anger, and Ignorance. You will smell memories, bang gongs and dip them into water, and synchronize your breathing to learn how to cultivate clarity when before there was confusion. The two-hour workshop is led by curator of the Mandala Lab Tim McHenry*.

The Mandala Lab is an interactive space that draws inspiration from a Tibetan Buddhist mandala—a teaching aid that Buddhist practitioners use to gain a clearer understanding of the world. Within the mandala, five difficult mental states (kleshas) are encountered. Tibetan Buddhist practitioners believe these feelings—pride, attachment, envy, anger, and ignorance—obscure understanding and limit growth and potential. When investigated further, each emotion can give way to a unique wisdom. 

Understanding the truth about life—and all of existence—requires a little help. Buddhist practitioners use mandalas as artistic aids to advance their journey toward the all-knowing state of enlightenment.

This emotional transformation, which we might think of as a series of a-ha moments, is necessary to reach the Buddhist state of enlightenment. It can take lifetimes to achieve. The Mandala Lab draws on one aspect of the rich teachings associated with the mandala to promote a better understanding of ourselves and others. See, smell, touch, and breathe your way through a series of exercises to contemplate your emotions.

The Innovation Hub is partnering with the CSUSM Center for Contemplative Practices, Center Artes, and the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art to bring this workshop to our campus and community for a limited time, April 13 - April 17, 2026.

*Some of the workshops will be led by CSUSM facilitators trained by Tim McHenry of the  Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art.

• Location:  The Extended Learning Building, Ste 101, 288 Campus Way, San Marcos
  (on the corner of Campus Way & E. Barham Drive) 
• Info:  Workshops are approximately 90-minutes, please arrive 5 minutes prior to start time

Rubin Museum Mandala Lab is based on the painting: Sarvavid Vairochana Mandala; Tibet; 17th century; pigments on cloth; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; gift of Shelley and Donald Rubin; C2006.66.346 (HAR 773)

Photo courtesy of The Wellbeing Project 

Extended Learning Bldg, Ste 101,
Campus Way & E. Barham Dr.

Workshop Schedule

Mon, 4/13/26 - Fri, 4/17/26

• 10 am - 12 pm
• 1 pm - 3 pm
• 3 pm - 5 pm
• 5 pm - 7 pm