Mandala, did you say Mandala?
Mandala means circle in Sanskrit language but can also refer to a container of an essence. So, what is it? Well, it’s a picture representing the spiritual and ritual symbol of Hinduism and Buddhism which will be contemplated during a meditation ceremony and used as a receptacle for deities and a collection point of the universal forces.
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What does the exact pattern mean?
There are more than one ways to create a Mandala, so let us focus on the ‘Lord Avalokitesvara’ Mandala, see picture for reference. This particular one contains several circles surrounding a square which also contains another circle. The central point is usually represented by the core Buddha. But, let’s have more details on that:
– The external rings
The very first circle represents a ring of fire which refers to burning up and eliminating ignorance and the transformation process one must go through before being able to enter the sacred territory.
The inward circle which contains 64 lotus petals represents the purified state of mind and the nerves of the heart. This stands for indestructibility and illumination.
Finally the most centered ring is made of lotus leaves which represent the religious rebirth.
– The square
It is a place for the resident deities, a temple containing the essence of Buddha. The gates in there symbolize a variety of ideas which can represent 4 boundless thoughts such as loving-kindness, compassion, sympathy and self-possession. But it can also embody the four cardinal directions: South, North, East and West. The interesting fact about the entrances is that they all form a ‘T’. Why a ‘T’, you ask me? Most Buddhist temples have two doors that open outward. Therefore, the two ends of the ‘T’ letter, would represent the two doors which open to the ‘great gate’.
– The center
In the center there’s an image of the core deity, placed over the center dot, which would represent the seed or center of the universe. Surrounded by 8 lotus petals.
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Tibetan Sand Mandala
– Opening ceremony
Called as ‘dul-tson-kyil-dhor’ which means ‘mandala of colored powders’, the full process is done by 4 Tibetan monks who will display sand grains on a flat platform over a period of a few days or weeks. The grains will be placed according to a prescribed iconography previously drawn with chalks. Lamas first consecrate the Site and call forth the forces of goodness and ask them healing blessings. They start creating the pattern from the center and concentrically working outwards using ‘chak-pur’, metal funnels.
While creating the mandala, the monks chant and meditate to invoke the divine energies of the deities residing within the mandala.
– Destroying ceremony
After being completed, the Mandala is ritualistically destroyed as the Buddhists believe in the transitory nature of material life; and change or impermanence is the essential of all existence. Nothing is lasting, everything is meant to change. Therefore only the current moment is what counts and can be considered as real!
After the ceremony, the sand is collected in a jar which will be wrapped in silk and transported to a river. Then, the sand is released back into nature to symbolize the impermanence of life and the world.
Why it is used
The drawing will include geometric shapes and a multitude of ancient spiritual symbols. This picture should be used a meditation tool as it transmits positive energies to the environment and to the people who view it. It should be seen as a three dimensional palace which holds Deities who serve as role models in a philosophical point of view. In a nutshell, it is a tool for gaining wisdom, compassion and establishing a sacred space for meditation and healing purposes.
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