Despite having roots in ancient India, these mandalas have been and still are popular across the world. They have a special place as objects of spirituality in Hinduism and Buddhism. Mandalas are connected with the pancha tattva - earth, water, air, fire and space. And are believed to be bridges that connect the earthly with the divine Hinduism and Buddhism.
Mandalas are ubiquitous in Nepal, especially in and around Kathmandu valley. Owing to the heavy influence of Hinduism and Buddhism, Mandalas follow you wherever you are in the valley. The intricate knowledge of making these artistic and spiritual masterpieces have been passed on through generations. And as such to these days, Nepal remains one of the riverside destinations for finding authentic Mandalas.
In addition to their profound usage in spiritual activities, mandalas have, over the centuries, massively adopted and integrated as part of arts and wellbeing. The intricate drawings and the meaning within has attracted many artists and psychologists like Carl Gustav Jung towards. These associations and fascinations have kept growing. And nowadays they have become a bigger part of mental health and overall wellbeing. They have now become integral part of medicine centers, therapy sessions, studios and many more.
The Importance of Mandalas Across Various Cultures
From the ancient days, Mandalas held importance among various cultures where it is often used for meditation, spiritual healing, rituals and religious teaching.
In Tibetan Buddhism
Mandalas hold great significance in Buddhism across the world. They are considered the representation of this universe and an individual’s journey toward wisdom and enlightenment. It is believed that Mandalas are sacred spaces where gods and goddesses dwell.
In addition to creating Mandalas that have lasted for centuries, Tibetan monks also create intricate sand mandalas during special ceremonies. Unlike stone, or cloth mandalas, these sand mandalas are dismantled as a means to symbolize the impermanence of life. Praying or meditating on these designs have multiple benefits including the ability to remain connected to the present, overcome materialistic desires, and move closer to inner peace.
Meditation is central to the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. It is a crucial part of cultivating mindfulness, inner peace and spiritual awakening. Because Mandalas are considered sacred spaces where gods and goddesses dwell, they are essential tools for meditation. The intricate and symbolic designs of a Mandala aid a meditator to stay focused. They help monks and meditators to visualise their journey closer to wisdom, harmony and enlightenment. Their journey to the center of the Mandala.
In Hinduism
Mandalas are the representation of cosmic order in Hinduism and act as harmony between confusion and creation. They are often used to connect with the deities. The circular designs in the mandala show the nature of the cosmos and the major source of all human life.
In Newari and Nepali Culture
Mandala holds a special place in Nepalese society, especially among the Newar community. Newar, being rich in culture and tradition, has so much mandala art. The Newari artisans craft the mandalas focusing on every single minor detail, mixing local designs and Tibetan Buddhist symbols. These skills are handed over generation to generation from their ancestors. They are more than art and used for styling temples and displaying Nepal’s culture.
Structure and Representation of a Mandala
The center of every Mandala represents the harmony and main source of creation. An artist usually starts making a mandala from the center and moves outwards. Central layers are intricately connected with the outwards layers - a representation of worldly reality, wherein the universe and elements within it are interconnected and part of the whole. Each layer is made in a geometric shape and every design signifies cosmic ideas and reality.
For instance, in Tibetan Buddhist mandalas, the center represents knowledge, while the layers that surround it denote a journey of life through different stages. Meditating on these layers guide a monk towards peace and spiritual understanding - which reside in the center of the Mandala.
Mandalas can have different geometric shapes - circles, squares, triangles. Each of these have their own meaning. Generally, circles symbolize consistency, squares represent strength and triangles are considered pathways towards growth. While other shapes like hexagon and pentagon also carry importance.
In addition to the popular shapes, some Mandalas also deploy other geometric and natural phenomena as shapes. Hexagons are used to represent serenity and stability while the pentagons are used to denote protection from evil and moving towards positive energy.
Some artists also deploy natural phenomena patterns like waves, cycles, and fractals to add another layer of meaning to the mandala. These shapes represent the constant movement, continuity and infinite aspects of the universe. These detailed patterns symbolize the evolving and inter connected features of life.
The Process Behind Tibetan Mandala Making: Artistry and Practise
Tibetan Mandalas are not limited to artistic creations. They are considered one of the most sacred tools in Hinduism and Buddhism which needs great skills and composure. These mandalas are made by skilled Newari artisans in Nepal, who have passed down these skills by their ancestors. The making process includes spiritual devotion, knowledge about traditions and total concentration.
The Mandala Making Process
The making process of Tibetan Mandala starts with the slow designing process. Skilled Newari artisans draw the detailed blueprint of the mandala, marking the central point from where everything in the universe is connected. This central point shows the universe core and all surroundings layout about the different points of life, energy and wisdom.
Once the blueprint is set, the Newari artisans use different kinds of tools to make mandalas. If you’re making sand mandalas, the colorful sand is placed to form the beautiful patterns. For this task, you need steady hands and total focus, as each sand must be positioned perfectly.
When it comes to painted mandalas, the patterns are painted into the thin cloth or paper. After that, they use natural pigments and brush which has been in practice from generations to generations. The natural pigments are brought from the materials like minerals, plants and stones, giving them vibrant colors.
Materials Used to Make Mandalas
The materials used to make the Tibetan mandala differs on the type of mandala being made. If you are making the sand mandalas, the colored sand is the main material brought from the holy mountain and place in Tibet. These mandalas are usually made in religious ceremonies to be destroyed just to show the meaning of life.
For painted mandalas, the Newari artisans use the natural dye and colors that have been handmade from the skills that have been passed from one generation to another generations. The paper on which mandala is printed using the traditional handmade paper.
Spiritual Thought Process of Making Mandalas
The making of Tibetan mandalas is deeply related with the spiritual practices. The artisans perform this work with pure heart, focus and total devotion. The process of creating the mandala is often seen as the opportunity to contribute to the universe and each brush or sand is filled with love and emotions.
The making of mandala usually takes days or even weeks. During this making time, the artist only thinks about the spiritual ideas like living in the present, change and balance. The final product is not just the art, it’s a spiritual tool that reflects how everything is connected.
Uses and Benefits of Mandalas
Apart from being beautiful to look at, Mandalas also carry a strong spiritual, therapeutic and aesthetic value, which can be used to bring positivity, balance and healing into the life.
Spiritual Practices
If we look into a history book, we can see that Mandalas have been used as the tools for meditation. In Tibetan Buddhism, the monks use mandalas to focus and connect the mind with spirituality. The beautiful designs help the individual to focus and make understand life's deeper meanings through meditation.
For followers, creating or looking at the mandala can help you to understand and visualise the spirituality. It is also used in Buddhist ceremonies to make people focus while meditating.
Home Décor
Mandalas also work as beautiful home decor. When displayed on a wall as a wall hanging or as a piece of furniture, a mandala can become the highlight in any room. Apart from that, it radiates harmony, adding cultural peacefulness to your personal space. If you place it at the right like meditation or yoga areas, it will create an environment of peace, making it more relaxed and calm.
Therapeutic Uses
In recent times, Mandalas are widely used in art therapy to help with the stress management and emotion dealing. Moreover, the process of coloring the mandala will relax the mind and focus, which will work as stress management. Coloring in the different patterns of mandala can be both soothing and therapeutic, encouraging relaxation and mindfulness. A lot of people are purchasing mandala color books to unwind after a long day, providing a way to express your feelings and bring positivity.
Wearing Mandala T-Shirts
Mandala t-shirts can bring a sense of focus and calm to your day. Their intricate designs serve as a reminder of balance and mindfulness, whether you're meditating, practicing yoga, or simply going about daily life. They offer a subtle way to stay connected to your practice, no matter where you are.
Personal Growth and Self-Discovery
According to research, creating or meditating on mandalas can be the best tool for personal growth. The process will take you to the journey of your inner world, assisting you to discover your emotions, thoughts and desires. When you make an environment where your thoughts could flow easily, it can provide information into your mind. Many people use mandala as the way to keep record on your spiritual journey with a step closer to personal growth and self-awareness.
