The mandala and it's connection to sacred geometry?

Question

I'm doing research on this subject and would like any and all input that anyone would like to offer. THANKS!!!!

Answer 1

Mandala is Sanskrit for circle, polygon, community, connection.

The Mandala is a symbol of man or woman in the world, a support for the meditating person.

The mandala is often illustrated as a palace with four gates, facing the four corners of the Earth.

The Mandala shown here is connected with the Buddha Vajrasattva, who symbolises the original crystalline purity.

In the centre is a lotus blossom with eight petals, resting on a bed of jewels.

In the next place are the walls of the palace with gates towards the four corners of the earth.

The gates are guarded by four angry doorkeepers.

Before the meditating person arrives at the gates, she must, however, pass the four outer circles: the purifying fire of wisdom, the vajra circle, the circle with the eight tombs, the lotus circle.

Circles

Here are the four circles, symbolising the enlightenment, which the meditating person must gain, before she can enter the illuminated palace:

fire of wisdom: the outermost circle consists of the purifying fire

vajra circle: the diamond circle expresses strength and fearlessness

tombs: there are eight tombs, which symbolises the eight states of consciousness*, which the person must go beyond

lotus circle: expresses the open state of devotion, that is necessary to enter the palace

*consciousness of seeing, consciousness of hearing, consciousness of tasting, consciousness of smelling, consciousness of the body, consciousness of thinking, consciousness of the I, basic consciousness

Centre

The symbol of Buddha lives in the centre, surrounded by eight Buddhas for meditation - symbolic deities: four male and four female. These figures, facing the corners of the earth form together a lotus flower.

Centre

The symbol of Buddha lives in the centre, surrounded by eight Buddhas for meditation - symbolic deities: four male and four female. These figures, facing the corners of the earth form together a lotus flower.

Colour Element Means of Transport

    

Centre: Vairocana White Ether Lion

West: Amitabha Red Fire Peacock

East: Aksobhya Blue Water Elephant

South: Ratnasambhava Yellow Earth Horse

North: Amoghasiddhi  Green Air Mythical Bird

Symbols

Diamond: the indestructible diamond, clear, yet showing all colours, becomes a symbol of the nature of the mind

Bell: the female part of the Tantric polarity: the symbol of emptiness - the boundless openness, giving room for wisdom

Vajra: the male part of the Tantric polarity: the symbol of effective means and Buddha's active compassion with the meditating person. Originally it was the thunderbolt of the god Indra, later it came to represent the diamond

Dharma Wheel: the eight hubs are a symbol of the Eightfold Path*, leading to perfection

Lotus: symbol of the teaching of Buddha. The plant standing with the roots in the mud, yet raising its blossom towards the light. You can be like it

*

1. right belief

2. right resolution

3. right speech

4. right action

5. right living

6. right effort

7. right thinking

8. peace of mind through meditation

http://www.graphics.cornell.edu/online/m...

Answer 2

I saved the above description of the mandala for my own reference.

It's a hard act to follow, but I venture to refer you to a fine book, "the Power of Limits"*, Chap.7, "Hellas and Haiku"- which does a comparative description of Eastern and Western underlying unity in art forms.

Sacred geometry involves the Golden Section, the focus of this book, but you know that; the illustrations are intense.