KarinM's mandala channel on Share on Ovi

kalachakra_mandala

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:59:19 GMT

mandala_2

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:59:19 GMT

mandala creation

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:50:22 GMT

mandala_9

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:48:21 GMT

mandala-full

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:44:54 GMT

mandaladeamitayus

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:41:40 GMT

mandala_b

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:38:34 GMT

kalachakra_sand_mandala

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:33:41 GMT

rad_des_lebens_3

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:33:12 GMT

mandala at Seattle Metaphysical Library

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:26:15 GMT

mandala_6

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:12:41 GMT

In 1988, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism allowed the first construction of a mandala in the west to be open to the public. This mandala was the Kalachakra Mandala and was constructed in sand by the Namgyal Monks from Dharamsala India at the Natural History Museum in New York City. His Holiness opened up the viewing of the mandala as a cultural offering, and as a means to preserve Tibetan culture. His Holiness felt that it would be a benefit to the world, as it would enhance the lives of all living beings near the construction site.

A mandala is thought to bring peace and harmony to the area where it is being constructed. Simply viewing a mandala is believed by Buddhists to be enough to change one's mind stream by creating a strong imprint of the beauty of perfection of the Buddha's mind, as is represented in the mandala itself. As a result of this imprint, one may be able to find greater compassion, awareness, and a better sense of well-being.

mandala_5_md

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:10:16 GMT

Pronounced mahn-DAH-la, meaning 'house' or 'palace', the mandala represents a Buddha's divine place of residence. There are hundreds of mandalas representing each of the different tantric deities, each with its own unique set of details. To the practitioner, the mandala represents the activities and teachings of the particular deity represented in the mandala, and can be described as the residences of the respective deities and their retinues.

Whether made of sand, cloth, or metal, mandalas are used to aid in visualizing these dwellings. Sand mandalas are one of the most magnificent types of mandala construction and are associated with the most profound and elaborate Buddhist ceremonies in Tibet. Every color, dot, and line in the mandala represents an essential part of the deity and Buddhist philosophy. Each component must be placed in exactly the same place every time the mandala is constructed.

mandala-vortex%20

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:08:44 GMT

constructing a mandala

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:08:44 GMT

Mandalas are immensely complex symbolic structures, with many layers of meaning and beauty. Although very beautiful and aesthetically pleasing, mandalas are meant for religious use, and are not intended as museum works of art. It is only in recent years that the Dalai Lama has permitted mandalas to be made in public, as a means of teaching about Tibetan culture.

The teaching of the mandala is passed through an oral tradition started by Shakyamuni Buddha over 2500 years ago. It has been passed down over the ages and can be traced back through the lineages to the historical Buddha.

BigMandala

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:08:44 GMT

mandala

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 17:54:24 GMT

In 1988, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, allowed the first construction of a mandala in the west to be open to the public. This mandala was the Kalachakra Mandala and was constructed in sand by the Namgyal Monks from Dharamsala India at the Natural History Museum in New York City.

Tibetans see the mandala as a sacred object. After spending many hours of intricate labor, the monks destroy the mandala when it is finished, dramatizing the impermanence of our lives. They will then distribute small amounts of the consecrated sand to those who are present.

dailyheadlines.uark.edu/9548.htm