MANDALA
A mandala, which is Sanskrit for “circle” or “discoid object,” is a geometric
design that holds a great deal of symbolism in Hindu and Buddhist cultures.
Mandalas are believed to represent different aspects of the universe and
are used as instruments of meditation and symbols of prayer most notably
in China, Japan, and Tibet.
In their most basic form, mandalas are circles contained within a square
and arranged into sections that are all organized around a single, central
point. They’re typically produced on paper or cloth, drawn on a surface with
threads, fashioned in bronze, or built-in stone. While extraordinary as a
standalone work of art, mandalas hold symbolic and meditative meaning
beyond their vibrant appearance.
What is a Mandala?
A mandala is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Asian cultures. It can be
understood in two different ways: externally as a visual representation of
the universe or internally as a guide for several practices that take place in
many Asian traditions, including meditation. In Hinduism and Buddhism, the belief is that by entering the mandala and proceeding towards its centre,
you are guided through the cosmic process of transforming the universe
from one of suffering into one of joy and happiness.
A Brief History of Mandalas
Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, was born in the region now
known as Nepal. Though there is no confirmed date of his birth, historians
believe it to be around 560 B.C. It is understood that Gautama left his
kingdom after becoming aware of human suffering, where he sought to
attain enlightenment through meditation and thoughtful action. He began to
preach his philosophy across parts of India, where he gained devout
followers and eventually established the first sangha, Buddhist community
of monks.
As these Buddhist monks travelled the Silk Road, an ancient network of
trade routes that connected the East and West, they brought Buddhism to
other lands. They carried mandalas with them and brought the practice of
painting these spiritual compositions to other parts of Asia, appearing in
regions such as Tibet, China, and Japan by the 4th century. Though rooted
in Buddhism, mandalas soon became present in Hinduism and other
religious practices. Painters of the spiritual craft were often pious laymen,
who were commissioned by a patron. They worked seated on the floor with
a painting propped in their laps or in front of their crossed legs.
Types of Mandalas
There are various types of mandalas found in different cultures and used
for a multitude of purposes, both artistically and spiritually. Below are three
main types of mandalas and how they are used.
1. Teaching Mandala
Teaching mandalas are symbolic, and each shape, line, and colour
represent a different aspect of a philosophical or religious system. The
student creates his or her own mandala based on principles of design and
construction, projecting a visual symbolization of everything they have
learned. Teaching mandalas serve as colourful, mental maps for their creators.
2. Healing Mandala
Healing mandalas are more intuitive than teaching mandalas, and they are
made for the purpose of meditation. Healing mandalas are intended to
deliver wisdom, evoke feelings of calm, and channel focus and
concentration.
3. Sand Mandala
Buddhist monks and Navajo cultures have long used sand mandalas as a
traditional, religious element. These intricate designs use a variety of
symbols made from coloured sand that represent the impermanence of human life.
Symbolism in Mandalas
Within their intricate circular patterns, you can find common symbols
throughout mandalas. Traditionally, they include the presence of Buddha’s
mind in an abstract form, most commonly represented as a wheel, tree,
flower, or jewel. The center is a dot, which is a symbol considered free of
dimensions. It is interpreted as the starting point, the beginning of
contemplation, and devotion to the divine. From there, the dot is
surrounded by lines and geometrical patterns that symbolize the universe,
encompassed by the outer circle which represents the cyclical nature of
life. Some common symbols within the mandala include:
•
Wheel with eight spokes: The circular nature of a wheel works as
an artistic representation of a perfect universe. The eight spokes
represent the Eightfold Path of Buddhism, a summary of practices
that lead to liberation and rebirth.
•
Bell: Bells represent an openness and emptying of the mind to
allow the entrance of wisdom and clarity.
•
Triangle: When facing upward, triangles represent action and
energy, and when facing downward, they represent creativity and
the pursuit of knowledge.
•
Lotus flower: A sacred symbol in Buddhism, the symmetry of a
lotus depicts balance. As a lotus reaches up from underwater into
the light, so too does a human reaching for spiritual awakening and
enlightenment.
•
Sun: A popular basis for modern mandala patterns, suns tend to
represent the universe, often carrying meanings related to life and energy.
By Anisha Mondal
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