Central Florida Community College will present a free lecture at 6 p.m. today on the "Symbolism of the Mandala."

The lecture will be presented by a monk from the Drepung Loseling Monastery and will be held at the Webber Center of the Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road.

Monks from the monastery are in residence at CFCC creating a sand mandala. The mandala creation can be viewed at the Webber Center today from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 8 p.m. and on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 4
p.m. A closing ceremony will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Mandalas typically have outer, inner and secret meanings, according to the Drepung Loseling Monastery. On the outer level they represent the world in its divine form; on the inner level they represent a map by which the ordinary human mind is transformed into an enlightened mind; and on the secret level they depict primordially perfect balance of the subtle energies of the body and the clear, light dimension of the mind.

For information about the events call the Webber Center Gallery at 352-873-5809.