Three Tibetan monks yesterday began a six-day process of creating an intricate coloured sand artwork, called a mandala, on the floor of the pedestrian zone inside Gateway Plaza. 

Creating sand mandalas is an ancient Asian art and their removal is intended to show that all things on earth are impermanent.

The mandala being created at the shopping centre represents an enlightened being’s place of residence and everything contained within it.

The spiritual work contrasts sharply with the materialistic consumer culture that surrounds it, but shoppers take it all in their stride.

The monks, who are Tibetan refugees, have been brought to Australia from the Gyume Tantric College in southern India by the Drol Kar Buddhist centre at Paraparap, near Torquay.

Their Warrnambool mandala is one of several they will create at venues throughout Victoria and NSW as part of the Sacred Footsteps Tour.

The tour aims to raise awareness of Tibetan culture, attract donations for education sponsorships for children in East Tibet and for university scholarships for young people in the Ganzi region of East Tibet. 

Tour spokeswoman Choden Thubten said many shoppers appreciated the atmosphere of peace and contentment that surrounded the monks as they worked.