By Rachel Powers

In Tibet, Buddhist monks will spend weeks creating incredibly intricate mandalas—highly symbolic, symmetrical representations of the Buddha, composed with fine, brilliantly colored sand. If you sneeze, you’re screwed. After the painstaking creation of a Pure Buddha Realm, the monks practice non-attachment and symbolize the impermanence of all things by sweeping up the sand and pouring it into a stream. Which brings us, as I’m sure you’ve already guessed, to Belmont Shore. On Sunday, Second Street will be the site of the Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest. Open to anyone 16 years of age and older; prizes totaling $500 will be distributed for the four best pieces. No reason why you can’t reach enlightenment while on your knees in front of The Gap and Banana Republic. That’s how Americans are supposed to get there.

SIDEWALK CHALK ART CONTEST Belmont Shore | 2nd St between Park & Corona aves | Long Beach | 90803 | justinrudd.com/chalk.html. Sun 9am-4pm. Free.

Tags: To Do