भास्वती

Inked finally

Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning “sacred circle,” and they represent the universe, unity, harmony and wholeness.

They symbolize infinity and the never-ending quality of life and have been widely used for centuries by Buddhists, Hindus, American Indians and others who find significant meaning in them.

The history of the Mandala Art

The founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, was born in the country known as Nepal today. Although his exact birth date is disputed, most historians believe he was born about 560 B.C.

Gautama left his kingdom soon after he gained awareness of human suffering. He did so to gain enlightenment via thoughtful action and meditation.

Gautama soon began preaching his philosophy across different parts of the country. Eventually, the first community of Buddhist monks was established. The monks traveled along the Silk Road, a network of routes connecting the East and the West. As a result, it allowed them to bring Buddhism to other lands.

These monks carried mandalas as they traveled, spreading the art form to other parts of Asia. While the earliest evidence of simple mandala art dates to the first century B. C., they appeared in regions such as Japan, China, and Tibet by the fourth century.

Mandala art– Symbolism

Some of the most commonly used symbols within mandalas include:

Sun – The sun represents the universe and carries symbolic meanings related to energy and life.

Lotus – This is a sacred flower in Buddhism and depicts balance and the human effort to reach enlightenment and spiritual awakening.

Triangles – Triangles facing upwards represent energy and action. The ones facing downward represent the pursuit of knowledge and creativity.

Bells – Bells are a symbolic representation of emptying the mind, creating space for the entrance of clarity and wisdom.

Eight-Spoked Wheel – The eight spokes of a wheel represent the Eightfold Path of Buddhism, which is a set of practices that allow rebirth and liberation