BUFFALO, N.Y. — After nearly a decade in storage the Chenrezig Mandala is back on display at the Buffalo Museum of Science.

Made in 1991, the Buddhist sand portrait that was crafted completely by hand.

"Four monks came from Darmhasala and they created a mandala here at the museum in our atrium space and visitors got to watch it," said Kathryn Leacock, museum director of collections. 

Per the monk's tradition, when the mandala was complete it was destroyed and some of its sand was spread in the Niagara River.

The monks enjoyed their time in Buffalo so much they decided to return later that year to make a second.

"They allowed us to keep it because it's incomplete. It's always fun to have visitors try to figure out why or how it's incomplete. But I don't know the answer so don't fill my in box — I don't know," said Leacock. 

Due to space limitations and a worn down display case the mandala was in storage, but now it's back and one of just a handful of pieces like it nationwide.

"To have the Buffalo component that is was created here not so long ago and a lot of people remember coming to see the monks and the monks actually stayed with board and staff members so it's really like a big community celebration," said Leacock. 

There are no plans for the mandala to go back into storage.