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'''mandala''' [Skt.] - (Tib. ''kyilkhor''; ''dkyil ‘khor''). Mandala can be translated literally as ‘centre and circumference‘. A mandala is generally depicted as a circle which revolves around a centre. On the simplest level, a mandala can be understood to be us, the student or practitioner, and the phenomenal world around us. The word ‘mandala’ also describes an integrated structure that is organized around a central unifying principle. | '''mandala''' [Skt.] - (Tib. ''kyilkhor''; ''dkyil ‘khor''). Mandala can be translated literally as ‘centre and circumference‘. A mandala is generally depicted as a circle which revolves around a centre. On the simplest level, a mandala can be understood to be us, the student or practitioner, and the phenomenal world around us. The word ‘mandala’ also describes an integrated structure that is organized around a central unifying principle. | ||
It also means 1. the sacred environment and dwelling place of a [[buddha]], [[bodhisattva]] or [[deity]], which is visualized by the practitioner in tantric practice, 2. an offering of the entire universe visualized as a [[Pure Land]] with all the inhabitants as pure beings. | It also means: | ||
*1. the sacred environment and dwelling place of a [[buddha]], [[bodhisattva]] or [[deity]], which is visualized by the practitioner in tantric practice, | |||
*2. an offering of the entire universe visualized as a [[Pure Land]] with all the inhabitants as pure beings. | |||
See also [[mandala offering]]. | See also [[mandala offering]]. | ||
[[Category:Key Terms]] | [[Category:Key Terms]] | ||
Revision as of 09:06, 21 February 2007
mandala [Skt.] - (Tib. kyilkhor; dkyil ‘khor). Mandala can be translated literally as ‘centre and circumference‘. A mandala is generally depicted as a circle which revolves around a centre. On the simplest level, a mandala can be understood to be us, the student or practitioner, and the phenomenal world around us. The word ‘mandala’ also describes an integrated structure that is organized around a central unifying principle.
It also means:
- 1. the sacred environment and dwelling place of a buddha, bodhisattva or deity, which is visualized by the practitioner in tantric practice,
- 2. an offering of the entire universe visualized as a Pure Land with all the inhabitants as pure beings.
See also mandala offering.