Description

A mandala (Sanskrit: मण्डल, lit, circle) isaspiritual and ritual symbol in Indian religions, representingtheuniverse.[1] In common use, "mandala" has become a generic termforany diagram, chart or geometric pattern that represents thecosmosmetaphysically or symbolically; a microcosm of the universe.

The basic form of most mandalas is a square with fourgatescontaining a circle with a center point. Each gate is inthegeneral shape of a T.[2][3] Mandalas often exhibitradialbalance.[4]

The term appears in the Rigveda as the name of the sectionsofthe work, but is also used in other religions andphilosophies,particularly Buddhism.

In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employedforfocusing attention of practitioners and adepts, as aspiritualguidance tool, for establishing a sacred space, and as anaid tomeditation and trance induction.