[ WP ] A lifetime to build , yet a moment to destroy it all .

Millions of grains had fallen from the miniature spouts guided by the sure hands of these seven men. They wound around the great work, tapping these utensils from which the sand flowed. This was the work of a lifetime, one of the largest mandalas in recorded history. It was complex and alluring with its fine details in a myriad of rich colors. The sources of the sand were unassuming in their natural state, taken alone. Yet, when they were ground and crushed and laid by these men in this dazzling work, it seemed as though they transformed. Their dedication to the craft of this piece was extraordinary. It reflected in the quality of the art unfolding before them. 
 
 Spectators gathered day in and day out to watch the men work. Some had made it a tradition to check on their progress with each passing year. The ritual was strange and amusing to most, but they could not deny its appeal. Whether in the draw of the visuals themselves or their admiration for the perseverance of man shown through these vessels, the crowds were enamored just the same. They saw it in its fullest extent, high above on a balcony. The constructors of this sand panting had yet to see it whole. It began in their early years and swept through their middle ages. Now there were a few among them who lived just to see it complete. 
 
 When the last grain settled in to place, the men stepped back. It had taken seven lifetimes to reach this point. It was the pinnacle of their work. The crowds cheered, snapping photos with their phones. News crews reported live from the scene. No sooner had the men wiped their brows and caught their breath, than they began the ritual of disassembling their work. Through the complaints and groaning of the onlookers who did n't understand, the slate was wiped clean. The culmination of their life's work destroyed in moments. The seven men did not weep or despair. They saw a beauty in its destruction. It had just as much meaning to them in its absence as it had in its creation. With a humble bow of appreciation to the remaining members of the crowd, the artists departed leaving nothing behind. 
 
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