Mandala

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For other uses, see Mandala (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Mancala.

Thangka painting of Manjuvajra Mandala

A mandala (Sanskrit ?????, lit, circle) is a spiritual and ritual symbol in
Hinduism and Buddhism, representing the universe.[1] In common use, mandala has
become a generic term for any diagram, chart or geometric pattern that represents
the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically; a microcosm of the universe.

The basic form of most mandalas is a square with four gates containing a circle
with a center point. Each gate is in the general shape of a T.[2][3] Mandalas often
exhibit radial balance.[4]

The term appears in the Rigveda as the name of the sections of the work and vedic
rituals use Mandalas such as nava graha mandala to this day. Mandala is also used
in Buddhism.

In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed for focusing attention of

practitioners and adepts, as a spiritual guidance tool, for establishing a sacred
space, and as a help to meditation and trance induction.

Contents [hide]
1 Hinduism
1.1 Religious meaning
1.2 Political meaning
2 Buddhism
2.1 Early and Theravada Buddhism
2.2 Tibetan Vajrayana
2.2.1 Visualisation of Vajrayana teachings
2.2.1.1 Mount Meru
2.2.1.2 Wisdom and impermanence
2.2.1.3 Five Buddhas
2.2.2 Practice
2.2.3 Offerings
2.3 Shingon Buddhism
2.4 Nichiren Buddhism
2.5 Pure Land Buddhism
3 Christianity
4 Western psychological interpretations
5 In art
6 Gallery
7 See also
8 References
9 Sources
10 Further reading
11 External links
Hinduism[edit]

Mandala of Vishnu
Religious meaning[edit]
A yantra is a two- or three-dimensional geometric composition used in sadhanas,
puja or meditative rituals. It is considered to represent the abode of the deity.
Each yantra is unique and calls the deity into the presence of the practitioner
through the elaborate symbolic geometric designs. According to one scholar, Yantras
function as revelatory symbols of cosmic truths and as instructional charts of the
spiritual aspect of human experience[5]
Many situate yantras as central focus points for Hindu tantric practice. Yantras
are not representations, but are lived, experiential, nondual realities. As Khanna
describes

Despite its cosmic meanings a yantra is a reality lived. Because of the

relationship that exists in the Tantras between the outer world (the macrocosm) and
man's inner world (the microcosm), every symbol in a yantra is ambivalently
resonant in innerouter synthesis, and is associated with the subtle body and
aspects of human consciousness.[6]

Political meaning[edit]