What is a Mandala? History, Symbolism, Types of Mandalas,

 

You definitely have seen a mandala while you have ever practiced asian spiritual arts. The mandala is a geometric design, which contains a lot of symbolism in Hindu and Buddhist culture, which is in Sanskrit for "circle" or 'Discoid object.' Mandalas are considered to represent various facets of the world, and most notably in China , Japan, and Tibet, are used for contemplation and the sign of prayer.

Mandalas are, in their most basic form, circles which are arranged in a quadrature and organized in sections all around one central point. They are usually made on paper or cloth, drawn on a thread surface, bronze-made or stone-built. While exceptional as an independent work of art, manda beyond their vibrant appearances have a symbolic and meditative meaning.

What is a Mandala?

In Asian cultures, a mandala is a sacred and ritual icon. It can be understood in two different ways: from the outside as a visual depiction of the world or internally as a guide to many activities, including meditation, which take place in many Asian traditions. This is the belief in Hinduism and Buddhism that you are guided in the spiritual cycle of turning the world from one of pain into a state of pleasure by entering the mandalas and going into its middle.

A Brief History of Mandalas

In the region known as Nepal, Siddhartha Gautama was born, the founder of Buddhism. While his date of birth has not been verified, history thinks it is around 560 B.C. It is understood that after he became conscious of human suffering, Gautama left his kingdom and sought to attain light through meditation and thoughtful action. He started preaching his philosophy throughout India, where he gained devotion and eventually established the first Buddhist sangha group of monks.

When these Buddhist monks journeyed along the Silk Road, an ancient trade network between east and west, Buddhism was brought into other lands. They brought with them mandalas, and by the 4th century in regions like Tibet, China and Japan they painted such sacred compositions in other places of Asia. Although the mandalas were based on Buddhism, they soon became present in Hinduism and other religious practices. Spiritual craft painters were often pious, patron-invited laymen. They worked with a painting in their laps or on their crossed hands, sitting on the concrete.

Types of Mandalas

There are various types of mandalas found in different cultures and used for a multitude of purposes, both artistically and spiritually. Below are three main types of mandalas and how they are used.

1. Teaching Mandala
Teaching mandalas are symbolic, and each shape, line, and color represents a different aspect of a philosophical or religious system. The student creates his or her own mandala based on principles of design and construction, projecting a visual symbolization of everything they have learned. Teaching mandalas serve as colorful, mental maps for their creators.

2. Healing Mandala
Healing mandalas are more intuitive than teaching mandalas, and they are made for the purpose of meditation. Healing mandalas are intended to deliver wisdom, evoke feelings of calm, and channel focus and concentration.

3. Sand Mandala
Buddhist monks and Navajo cultures have long used sand mandalas as a traditional, religious element. These intricate designs use a variety of symbols made from colored sand that represent the impermanence of human life.

Symbolism in Mandalas