Art and Craft in Architecture

MANDALA ART
ADITYA BAGI by entering the mandala and proceeding
towards its centre, you are guided through the
Abstract: Represents wholeness, total cosmic process of transforming the universe
infinity, timelessness and unity. from one of suffering into one of joy and
happiness.
Introduction

A mandala, which is Sanskrit for

“circle” or “discoid object,” is a geometric
design that holds a great deal of symbolism in
Hindu and Buddhist cultures. Mandalas are
believed to represent different aspects of the
universe and are used as instruments of
meditation and symbols of prayer most notably
in China, Japan, and Tibet.

In their most basic form, mandalas are circles

contained within a square and arranged into
sections that are all organized around a single,
central point. They’re typically produced on
paper or cloth, drawn on a surface with
threads, fashioned in bronze, or built in stone.
While extraordinary as a standalone work of
art, mandalas hold symbolic and meditative
meaning beyond their vibrant appearance. Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of
Buddhism, was born in the region now known
as Nepal. Though there is no confirmed date of
his birth, historians believe it to be around 560
B.C. It is understood that Gautama left his
kingdom after becoming aware of human
suffering, where he sought to attain
enlightenment through meditation and
thoughtful action. He began to preach his
philosophy across parts of India, where he
gained devout followers and eventually
established the first sangha, Buddhist
community of monks.
As these Buddhist monks travelled the Silk
Road, an ancient network of trade routes that
connected the East and West, they brought
Buddhism to other lands. They carried
mandalas with them and brought the practice
of painting these spiritual compositions to
other parts of Asia, appearing in regions such
A mandala is a spiritual and ritual as Tibet, China, and Japan by the 4th century.
symbol in Asian cultures. It can be understood Though rooted in Buddhism, mandalas soon
in two different ways: externally as a visual became present in Hinduism and other
representation of the universe or internally as a religious practices. Painters of the spiritual
guide for several practices that take place in craft were often pious laymen, who were
many Asian traditions, including meditation. commissioned by a patron. They worked
In Hinduism and Buddhism, the belief is that

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 Art and Craft in Architecture

seated on the floor with a painting propped in Within their intricate circular patterns, you can
their laps or in front of their crossed legs. find common symbols throughout mandalas.
Traditionally, they include the presence of
Buddha’s mind in an abstract form, most
commonly represented as a wheel, tree,
flower, or jewel. The centre is a dot, which is a
symbol considered free of dimensions. It is
interpreted as the starting point, the beginning
of contemplation, and devotion to the divine.
From there, the dot is surrounded by lines and
geometrical patterns that symbolize the
universe, encompassed by the outer circle
which represents the cyclical nature of life.
Some common symbols within the mandala
include:
Wheel with eight spokes: The circular nature
of a wheel works as an artistic representation
of a perfect universe. The eight spokes
represent the Eightfold Path of Buddhism, a
summary of practices that lead to liberation
and rebirth.
Bell: Bells represent an openness and
emptying of the mind to allow the entrance of
wisdom and clarity.
There are various types of mandalas found in Triangle: When facing upward, triangles
different cultures and used for a multitude of represent action and energy, and when facing
purposes, both artistically and spiritually. downward, they represent creativity and the
Below are three main types of mandalas and pursuit of knowledge.
how they are used. Lotus flower: A sacred symbol in Buddhism,
the symmetry of a lotus depicts balance. As a
1. Teaching Mandala lotus reaches up from underwater into the
Teaching mandalas are symbolic, and each light, so too does a human reaching for
shape, line, and colour represents a different spiritual awakening and enlightenment.
aspect of a philosophical or religious system. Sun: A popular basis for modern mandala
The student creates his or her own mandala patterns, suns tend to represent the universe,
based on principles of design and construction, often carrying meanings related to life and
projecting a visual symbolization of energy.
everything they have learned. Teaching
mandalas serve as colourful, mental maps for Mandalas are used for a variety of religious
their creators. traditions, meditation, and modern contexts.
2. Healing Mandala The traditional Tibetan mandala, found in
Healing mandalas are more intuitive than Buddhism, depicts the enlightened state of
teaching mandalas, and they are made for the Buddha through sand art. Patterns are formed
purpose of meditation. Healing mandalas are on the ground using metal and a small tube to
intended to deliver wisdom, evoke feelings of create the exact texture and organization of the
calm, and channel focus and concentration. grains. Creating this can take weeks, and
3. Sand Mandala shortly after it’s complete, it is destroyed to
Buddhist monks and Navajo cultures have align with the Buddhist belief that nothing is
long used sand mandalas as a traditional, permanent.
religious element. These intricate designs use a
variety of symbols made from coloured sand As it relates to modern context, mandalas are
that represent the impermanence of human used in a variety of ways. In yoga, mandalas
life. represent the same ancient ideals; signifying a
sacred space to shut away external influences.
Often, mandalas are positioned around the

©2021 Symbiosis School of Architecture, Urban Development and Planning

 Art and Craft in Architecture

studio and sometimes even drawn during

meditation periods. Similarly, mandala art is
used in healing circles, a practice that derives
from Native Americans. The circles are often
associated with the restoration of the body,
mind, and heart.

Mandalas have also been found in dream

catchers as a means to protect the individual
sleeping. A popular item in Western cultures,
you can easily identify the shape and

patterns of a mandala within most dream

catchers.
A spiritual symbol in Asian art, mandalas have
since become a popular, meditative element
for a variety of different cultures. In Hindu and
Buddhist cultures in particular, mandalas
and thangkas serve as a representation of the
universe and a guide on the path to
enlightenment. We’ve since seen the
geometric design appear in yoga studios,
dream catchers, healing circles, and other
meditative practices. The habit of creating and
collecting mandalas is a transformative
practice that is intended to restore inner peace
and wisdom within.

References:

1. https://www.invaluable.com/blog/what-is-a-
mandala/
2. https://graphicriver.net/item/vector-traditional-
vintage-gold-greek-ornament-/6370209?
ref=damiamio

©2021 Symbiosis School of Architecture, Urban Development and Planning