Question

passage 8 by clara correale
the beauty of tibetan sand - mandalas comes from the fact that they are very precise and vary in importance all at once. working with sand, one is struck by their steady hands, placing each grain of sand to create patterns. the detailed designs in the mandalas, crafted in silence, yield elaborate designs. yet, unlike most art, the ritual mandalas are not meant to last. the moment the last grain is placed, the artist begins to sweep away the mandala, returning to nature, symbolizing the transience of life. after completion, the mandalas are swept away, each grain returning to nature. the act of making sand - mandalas is a transient art form, inspired by the monks focus and patience. in my own work, experimenting with art forms that embraced impermanence, i was captivated by the precision of each movement, the meticulous placement of each grain. i included detailed patterns in my art. over time, i began incorporating elements of the ritual into my own creative work, experiencing the essence of creation and destruction, using transient materials and temporary spaces. at first, my efforts seemed superficial - a mere mimicry of the ritual without understanding its deeply felt meaning. i realized that my recreation lay in the challenge of balancing the beauty of creation with the necessity of its destruction. looking back, i see that i was only beginning to grasp the profound potential of this practice.
question
the passage says the mandalas are similar in that both western art and tibetan buddhist art:
a. has surpassed western art in popularity
b. is difficult to fully appreciate without an understanding of the ritual
c. conveys beauty through its emphasis on impermanence
d. is intended to be displayed in sacred spaces only

Explanation:

The passage contrasts Tibetan Buddhist art (mandalas) with Western art. It mentions that Tibetan mandalas are intricate, have symbolic meaning, and are transient. Western art emphasizes permanence. It's clear that Tibetan mandalas are difficult for Westerners to fully appreciate without understanding their context. There's no indication they are intended for secret spaces only, they don't just convey beauty through symmetry, and there's no comparison of popularity.

Answer:

C. is difficult to fully appreciate without an understanding of its context