DESCRIPTION
The Maṇḍala corresponds to the third the Three Mysteries, the Mind. A maṇḍala is a configuration of symbols and/or images used to establish sacred space, focus attention, and/or they are used as aids to meditation. In India, the use of maṇḍalas pre-dates Buddhism, and they do not become incorporated into the esoteric schools until the early medieval period, circa 4th-6th Centuries.
Suggested Reading
Denise Patry Leidy and Robert A. F. Thurman. Mandala: The Architecture of Enlightenment, (Asia Society Galleries and Tibet House, 1997).
PART ONE: Maṇḍala of the Five Buddhas
Within the Vajrayana, a Maṇḍala of the Five Buddhas became a primary configuration.
BUDDHA | Vairocana | Akṣobhya | Ratnasambhava | Amitābha | Amoghasiddhi |
Meaning | The Illuminator | ‘Imperturbable’ | 'Jewel Born’ | ‘Infinite Light’ | Unobstructed Success |
Color | White | Sapphire Blue | Yellow/Gold | Red | Green |
Direction | Center | East | South | West | North |
Time | - Always - | Dawn | Noon | Sunset | Midnight |
Element | Space | Water | Earth | Fire | Air |
Animal | Lion | Elephant | Horse | Peacock | Garuda |
Family (kula) | Tathāgata | Vajra | Ratna (’jewel’) | Padma (’lotus’) | Karma |
Mudrā | Dharma Wheel (dharmacakra) | Earth Touching (bhūmisparśa) | Giving (varada) | Meditation (dhyāna) | Fearlessness (abhaya) |
Seed Syllable | ॐ auṃ or vaṃ | हूँ hūṃ | त्रँ traṃ | ह्रीः hrīḥ | आः āḥ |
Skandha | Consciousness | Form | Sensation | Perception | Conditioning |
Vijñāna | ālaya (absolute) | ālaya (relatively) | Manas (7th) | Mano (6th) | Five Senses |
PART TWO: Garbhadhātu / Womb Realm
PART THREE: Vajradhātu / Vajra Realm
1. Mahamaṇḍala - the ‘Great Mandala’ in the Center, with Vairocana in the center of the center, surrounded by the Four Heavenly Kings
2. Samaya Maṇḍala - Mandala of Symbols, the Bodily Karma of Vairocana (below center), same as previous maṇḍala in symbolic form
3. Sūkṣma Maṇḍala - Verbal Karma of Vairocana, to the left of center
4. Pūjā Maṇḍala - Thought Karma of Vairocana, above the previous mandala
5. Vairocana Maṇḍala - surrounded by four bodhisattvas (upper left corner)
6. Vairocana Maṇḍala - The ‘Great Illuminator’ middle of upper row
7. Naya Maṇḍala - maṇḍala of Vajrasattva surrounded by the passions (upper right corner)
8. Trailokyavijaya Maṇḍala - Vajrasattva as ‘Conqueror of the Tripe Realm’ (below previous), surrounded by the afflictions: greed, anger, and delusion
9. Same as previous maṇḍala in symbolic form (lower right corner)