Mandala

A Mandala is a symbol of either a man or a woman in the world.

Uses

The Mandala acts as a support for anyone in meditation. The Mandala itself is often illustrated as a palace with four gates, facing the four corners of the Earth. It is a symbol that represents wholeness, and can be seen as a model for the structure of life itself. There are generally symbols within it that represent something.

Mandala Media

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  Thangka painting of Manjuvajra mandala

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  The Womb Realm mandala. The center square represents the young stage of Vairocana. He is surrounded by eight Buddhas and bodhisattvas (clockwise from top: Ratnasambhava, Samantabhadra, Saṅkusumitarāja, Manjushri, Amitābha, Avalokiteśvara, Amoghasiddhi and Maitreya)

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  Mandala of Vishnu, *Painting; Pata/Paubha, Mineral pigments on cotton cloth, 28 3/8 x 23 3/8 in. (72.07 x 59.37 cm)*Made in: Nepal From the Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection, Museum Associates Purchase (M.77.19.5)

• Painted 17th-century Tibetan 'Five Deity Mandala', in the centre is Rakta Yamari (the Red Enemy of Death) embracing his consort Vajra Vetali, in the corners are the Red, Green, White and Yellow Yamaris, Rubin Museum of Art

• Newar Buddhists of Nepal make a mandala (sand painting) depicting the Buddha as part of the death rituals on the third day after death and preserve it for four days.

• Tantric mandala of Vajrayogini

• Mandala Hindu Rangoli art form

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  Photo of a Chenrezig Sand Mandala created and exhibited at the House of Commons on the occasion of the visit of the Dalai Lama on 21 May 2008. Photograph taken by the uploader.

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  Nichiren bowing before MOJI-MANDALA which he wrote.

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  Pure Land Taima Mandala, Kamakura period, 14th century, Japan (Kyushu National Museum)