Mandalas
The Tibetan word for "mandala," dkyil-‘khor , translates to "that which encircles a center." A mandala is a sacred geometric figure that represents the universe. When completed, a mandala becomes a sacred area for deities to gather and a collection point of universal forces. When meditating upon a mandala and proceeding to its center, a person is symbolically guided through the cosmos into reality. Lines are drawn through the center dot to the four corners. These lines are then used to construct a square "palace" with four gates. The quadrants also represent the four boundless thoughts: loving-kindness, compassion, sympathy and equanimity. In addition, they may also represent the four directions: south, north, east and west.
Mandala Plate of Buddha Amitayus Mandala
Tibet; 19th century Pigments on cloth, mounted on wood 12 ¼ x 12 ¼ x 1 ½ in. (31.11 x 31.11 x 3.81 cm) © Rubin Museum of Art, New York | 
|
Four Mandalas of the Vajravali Series, c.
1429–56, Central Tibet, Tsang (Ngor Monastery),
Sakya order, Thangka, gouache on cotton,
Kimbell Art Museum
1429–56, Central Tibet, Tsang (Ngor Monastery),
Sakya order, Thangka, gouache on cotton,
Kimbell Art Museum
| 
|
3-D Mandalas
Traditional 3D Kalachakra mandala
in the Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet. | 
A modern 3D Kalachakra mandala
made by Arjia Rinpoche in the USA. |
Computerized 3-D Mandalas
Students at Cornell University have created a three dimensional representation based off of an actual mandala. The model contains tens of thousands of objects.
| 
|
