A heightened sense of reverence seems to take over when you enter the presence of the Tibetan Buddhist monks at work at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. A group has come from the Gaden Jangtse Monastery in India to be with us for the month of October, where they are patiently at work creating a sand mandala. Their visit is sponsored by the art gallery and the Canada-Tibet Committee.

The gallery is resplendent with a remarkable collection of Tibetan thangka paintings, gilt bronze statuettes and jewelry of turqouise and coral. Each of these objects, most of them antiques, is worthy of careful study but inevitably one's attention is drawn to the saffron-and-burgundy robed monk kneeling to work in the centre of the room on a mandala representing the sacred and magical realm of Avolokitesvara.

Beyond the quiet chanting, the only sound is a metallic "scritch scritch" as the monk directs a tiny stream of coloured sand, grain by grain, into place in the complex geometric pattern. With infinite patience he draws forth from memory a timeless and ephemeral prayer made manifest.

The major wall of this room is given over to a number of representations of Avolokitesvara. Detailed ancient paintings show the deity with a thousand arms and row upon row of heads. Above all is a modern photo-thangka showing the Dalai Lama, 14th in succession and the current head of Tibetan Buddhists.

Below his photo is a small case with two ancient bronze statuettes showing Avolokitesvara. As I gazed, and meditated, all at once I sensed that there is a distinct similarity between the face in the photo and the statuette. And why not? During time beyond time the same spirit has inhabited these forms. The many arms simultaneously pray, beckon, offer and aid. The faces look in all directions to offer help and guidance to everyone. The little bronze feet seem to rise slightly off the ground, as befits a saint.

The truth of reincarnation seemed manifest before me. These monks are technicians of the sacred, part of an ongoing tradition by which we come to terms with the more-than-mundane. The artworks are brought to life by their presence.

I encourage you to visit the gallery while the monks are present. It's enlightening, uplifting and -- perhaps -- transcendent.

The monks will be working on the mandala at the gallery until Oct. 25. The exhibition of the Sacred Arts of Tibet continues until Dec. 6, 2009. For information call 250-389-0303 or visit www.aggv.bc.ca