OVERVIEW:
The maṇḍala is a symbolic figure that is used in the practice of Tantric Buddhism, a form of Buddhism that specializes in ritual art and visual mediation. The word maṇḍala originates from the Sanskrit word for circle, and the majority of maṇḍalas have a circular shape that contains intricate patterns. These patterns represent a variety of Buddhist symbols that have ritual significance. Maṇḍalas are tantric diagrams can be painted, printed, made out of grains of colorful sand, or sculpted out of butter.
CELESTIAL PALACES:
Maṇḍala’s are geometric creations that are meant to be used as two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional celestial palaces. The palaces depicted by maṇḍalas belong to specific buddhas or deities, and the personalities of these buddhas or deities are represented by the incorporation of various symbols in the maṇḍala. For example, when the main buddha of the maṇḍala is connected to healing, images of herbs and other medicinal symbols will be included in the design of the maṇḍala. (Powers, p.263) When visualizing a maṇḍala as a top down view of a three-dimensional structure, one can observe four gates that face the four different directions. These gates are entrances to the palace. At the center of the palace, symbols representing the main buddha or deity of the maṇḍala can be found. (Ancient History Encyclopedia, 2013)
Sculpture of a Palace Represented by a Maṇḍala. https://tibethouse.us/mandala/
The palaces represented by maṇḍalas are sacred transformations of the outer world. By representing the transformation of the outer world, maṇḍalas can be used as a blueprint for meditators. Maṇḍalas represent the ideal state of mind that one wants to achieve. They allow mediators to visualize ideal qualities that don’t necessarily already exist. For example, when looking at mental qualities, maṇḍalas allow one to conceptualize aspects of an awakened personality. This process allows for mental transformation, and it can eventually lead to the awakening of ones consciousness. (Powers, p. 263)
TANTRIC INITIATION:
In the context of Tantric Buddhism, maṇḍalas are used during initiation ceremonies. There are four main types of tantric initiations: vase, secret, knowledge, and word. These ceremonies give practitioners the authority to recite tantras, and they also lay the foundation for meditators to bring their practice to fruition. However, for these initiation ceremonies to be deemed legitimate, maṇḍalas must be utilized. (Powers, p.270)
Maṇḍalas allow for the presence of a buddha to be manifested in a physical space. When a maṇḍala is created, the essence of the buddha or deity represented by that maṇḍala is invited to be present for the initiation ceremony. Therefore, the area where a maṇḍala is constructed serves as a locus of ritual power during tantric initiations. During the ceremony, the practitioners are instructed on how to visualize the maṇḍala, specifically, the buddha or the deities represented in the maṇḍala. This allows for the development of the mental complex and helps one to reach the goal of the initiations, which is a form of purification. (Moacanin, p. 70) After a practitioner has been initiated, in some traditions, it’s necessary for one to have an image of the maṇḍala used in the ceremony. They are required to keep this image with them as a sign of their devotion to the tantric tradition. (Watt, 2009)
After the competition of a tantric initiation, the maṇḍala used in the ceremony is destroyed. The maṇḍalas are destroyed for two main reasons. The first reason is to disperse the blessings associated with the buddha or deity of the maṇḍala to the surrounding areas. Traditionally, the sand from the maṇḍala will be collected and deposited into a river. This allows all beings to benefit from the initiation ceremony, and it relates back to one of the primary motivations of the Vajrayāna, also called the Tantrayāna, tradition: compassion for all sentient beings. Maṇḍalas are also destroyed to represent the idea of impermanence, a notion that’s common throughout the practice Buddhism. (Exploring the Maṇḍala, Blume)
THE KĀLACHAKRA:
An example of a famous maṇḍala is the Kālachakra. Kālachakra means “cycle of time”, and this maṇḍala corresponds to the Kālachakra tantra. Both this maṇḍala and the corresponding tantra are extremely complex, and some believe that the Kālachakra is the most advanced form of Vajrayāna practice. Similar to other maṇḍalas, every symbol in the Kālachakra has a specific meaning that relates to a specific aspect of the tantra. The palace represented by this maṇḍala has five distinct floors that represent the body, speech, mind, pristine consciousness, and great bliss. This maṇḍala has seven hundred and twenty-two figures of the buddha, and the Kālachakra Buddha is located in the center of the palace. When utilized in the practice of visualization meditation, this maṇḍala facilitates the initiation of the Kālachakra tantra. (The Kalachakra Mandala) (International Kalachakra Network)
The Kālachakra Maṇḍala. https://www.namgyal.org/the-kalachakra-mandala/
MODERN USAGE:
In the past, maṇḍalas were created in private, solely for the use of initiation ceremonies. However, in modern times, the purpose of the maṇḍala has expanded. For example, The Dalai Lama has permitted the practice of making maṇḍalas for the public. Now, it’s common for Tibetan monks to travel to various institutions, including schools and museums, to create sand maṇḍalas. Although these maṇḍalas are not being used in the conventional tantric context, they allow the tradition to be maintained. Monks create maṇḍalas in hopes of spreading awareness and as a sign of world peace. The new practice of creating public maṇḍalas helps to preserve this aspect of Buddhism. (More About the Sand Mandala)
REFERENCES:
“Exploring the Mandala.” Asia Society, https://asiasociety.org/exploring-mandala.
Harderwijk, Rudy. The Kalachakra Mandala, http://kalachakranet.org/mandala_kalachakra.html.
“Mandalas: An Introduction, Painting & Sculpture.” Himalayan Art Resources, https://www.himalayanart.org/search/set.cfm?setID=2093.
Moacanin, Radmila. Jungs Psychology and Tibetan Buddhism: Western and Eastern Paths to the Heart. Wisdom Publications, 2010.
“More about Sand Mandala.” Namgyal Monastery Institute of Buddhist Studies, https://www.namgyal.org/more-about-sand-mandala/.
Picone, Kiri. “Intricate Tibetan Sand Paintings Dismantled After Completion.” All That’s Interesting, All That’s Interesting, 30 Mar. 2015, https://allthatsinteresting.com/sand-painting.
Powers, John. Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism. SNOW LION, an Imprint of Shambhala Publications, Inc., 2007.
“The Kalachakra Mandala.” Namgyal Monastery Institute of Buddhist Studies, https://www.namgyal.org/the-kalachakra-mandala/.
“Tibetan Buddhist Art: Mandala.” Tibet House US, https://tibethouse.us/mandala/.
Violatti, Cristian. “Mandala.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, Ancient History Encyclopedia, 24 Nov. 2019, https://www.ancient.eu/mandala/.
FURTHER READINGS:
“Eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],’newworldencyclopedia_org-Box-2′,’ezslot_0′,106,’0′,’0′]));Mandala.” Mandala – New World Encyclopedia, https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Mandala.
[An encyclopedia entry on how mandalas are used in different branches of Buddhism and also different religions.]
Berzin, Alexander. “What Is a Mandala?” – Study Buddhism, Berzin Archives E.V., https://studybuddhism.com/en/tibetan-buddhism/tantra/buddhist-tantra/what-is-a-mandala.
[An article that gives a general overview of mandalas and general meditative practices.]
“Introduction to the Kalachakra.” The 14th Dalai Lama, 25 Nov. 2019, https://www.dalailama.com/teachings/kalachakra-initiations.
[An article that describes the distinctions in the different branches of Buddhism, and also gives a general overview of the Kalachakra tantra.]
EXTERNAL LINKS:
https://www.himalayanart.org/search/set.cfm?setID=91&page=6
[An image database with many examples of mandalas associated with different buddhas/ deities.]
[Video that shows the process of making a sand mandala. Starts with how the sand is made and ends with the destruction of the mandala.]
[A general overview of what a mandala is, in the context of an art exhibition where an entire room is a mandala.]
This entry is laid out in an extremely clear and easy to follow format, and is accompanied by a very straightforward explanation of what a mandala is. Great work! The inclusion of the specific purpose of mandalas within tantric initiations is really fascinating, and the importance of mandalas as a way to visualize and focus on specific deities and concepts is made evident. In addition, I really liked the inclusion of how the making of mandalas has changed slightly in significance and purpose over the years and into modern-day, as many traditions need to in order to stay relevant as well as widely known in an ever-changing world. You clearly know what you’re talking about here and have done some thorough research!
The only constructive comment, aside from the occasional spelling or grammatical issue that does not distract from your topic, that I have is that I would have liked to see a few visual examples of the various types of mandalas constructed that you mentioned in your introductory paragraph. The photos seem to be mainly of the same kinds of mandalas, and I am quite intrigued by what a mandala made out of butter would look like.
Overall, great work!