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Jump to navigationJump to searchCreated page with 'File:lighterstill.jpgright|frame ==Origin== Sanskrit ''maṇ ḍ ala'' circle *[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 18...'
[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Mandala-of-vishuddha-chakra.jpg|right|frame]]
==Origin==
[[Sanskrit]] ''maṇ ḍ ala'' [[circle]]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 1859]
==Definitions==
*1: a Hindu or Buddhist graphic [[symbol]] of the [[universe]]; specifically : a [[circle]] enclosing a square with a [[deity]] on each side that is used chiefly as an aid to [[meditation]]
*2: a graphic and often symbolic [[pattern]] usually in the form of a circle divided into four separate sections or bearing a multiple projection of an [[image]]
==Description==
'''Maṇḍala''' (मण्डल) is a [[Sanskrit]] word meaning "[[circle]]." Mandalas have [[spiritual]] and [[ritual]] significance in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala#Hinduism Hinduism] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala#Buddhism Buddhism].
The term is of Hindu [[origin]]. It appears in the [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/index.htm Rig Veda] as the name of the sections of the work, but is also used in other Indian religions, particularly Buddhism.
The basic form of most Hindu and Buddhist ''mandalas'' is a square with four gates containing a [[circle]] with a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bindu center point]. Each gate is in the shape of a T. Mandalas often exhibit [[radial]] [[balance]].
In various spiritual [[traditions]], ''mandalas'' may be employed for [[focusing]] [[attention]] of aspirants and adepts, as a spiritual teaching [[tool]], for establishing a [[sacred space]], and as an aid to meditation and [[trance]] induction. In the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_Buddhism Tibetan branch] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajrayana Vajrayana Buddhism], mandalas have been developed into [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandpainting sandpainting]. They are also a key part of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anuttarayoga_Tantra Anuttarayoga Tantra] meditation [[practices]].
In common use, ''mandala'' has become a generic term for any [[plan]], chart or geometric [[pattern]] that represents the [[cosmos]] metaphysically or symbolically, a [[microcosm]] of [[the universe]] from the human [[perspective]].[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala]
[[Category: Anthropology]]
[[Category: The Arts]]
==Origin==
[[Sanskrit]] ''maṇ ḍ ala'' [[circle]]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 1859]
==Definitions==
*1: a Hindu or Buddhist graphic [[symbol]] of the [[universe]]; specifically : a [[circle]] enclosing a square with a [[deity]] on each side that is used chiefly as an aid to [[meditation]]
*2: a graphic and often symbolic [[pattern]] usually in the form of a circle divided into four separate sections or bearing a multiple projection of an [[image]]
==Description==
'''Maṇḍala''' (मण्डल) is a [[Sanskrit]] word meaning "[[circle]]." Mandalas have [[spiritual]] and [[ritual]] significance in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala#Hinduism Hinduism] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala#Buddhism Buddhism].
The term is of Hindu [[origin]]. It appears in the [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/index.htm Rig Veda] as the name of the sections of the work, but is also used in other Indian religions, particularly Buddhism.
The basic form of most Hindu and Buddhist ''mandalas'' is a square with four gates containing a [[circle]] with a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bindu center point]. Each gate is in the shape of a T. Mandalas often exhibit [[radial]] [[balance]].
In various spiritual [[traditions]], ''mandalas'' may be employed for [[focusing]] [[attention]] of aspirants and adepts, as a spiritual teaching [[tool]], for establishing a [[sacred space]], and as an aid to meditation and [[trance]] induction. In the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_Buddhism Tibetan branch] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajrayana Vajrayana Buddhism], mandalas have been developed into [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandpainting sandpainting]. They are also a key part of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anuttarayoga_Tantra Anuttarayoga Tantra] meditation [[practices]].
In common use, ''mandala'' has become a generic term for any [[plan]], chart or geometric [[pattern]] that represents the [[cosmos]] metaphysically or symbolically, a [[microcosm]] of [[the universe]] from the human [[perspective]].[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala]
[[Category: Anthropology]]
[[Category: The Arts]]
