Difference between revisions of "Expression of Mandala"
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| − | The Mandala is a manifestation of the spirit and the world of Mahavairocana Buddha. Kobo Daishi said in his report to the Imperial court, “It is hard to realize Universal Reality, therefore this is a way to help people to understand by using pictures.” It is almost impossible to explain the state of awakening with words, therefore in Shingon Buddhism, the mandala is effective in helping people to feel the reality of the teachings. | + | The [[Mandala]] is a [[manifestation]] of the [[spirit]] and the [[world]] of [[Mahavairocana Buddha]]. [[Kobo Daishi]] said in his report to the {{Wiki|Imperial court}}, “It is hard to realize [[Universal]] [[Reality]], therefore this is a way to help [[people]] to understand by using pictures.” It is almost impossible to explain the [[state]] of [[awakening]] with words, therefore in [[Shingon Buddhism]], the [[mandala]] is effective in helping [[people]] to [[feel]] the [[reality]] of the teachings. |
| − | Mandala is a Sanskrit word literally meaning “circle”; in the Mahavairocana Tantra, this is explained further: Manda means essence while la signifies accomplishment. To accomplish the essence of the universal truth is the goal of Buddhism and through this awakening, one can achieve sokushin jobutsu (enlightenment in this body). The Mandala is like a wheel on a vehicle that assists you to go forward, one may go wayward without fully understanding the skillful means of the Buddha’s teaching within the mandala. In order for us to understand universal reality, one viewpoint may not be sufficient. | + | [[Mandala]] is a [[Sanskrit]] [[word]] literally meaning “circle”; in the [[Mahavairocana Tantra]], this is explained further: [[Manda]] means [[essence]] while la {{Wiki|signifies}} [[accomplishment]]. To accomplish the [[essence]] of the [[universal truth]] is the goal of [[Buddhism]] and through this [[awakening]], one can achieve [[sokushin]] [[jobutsu]] ([[enlightenment]] in this [[body]]). The [[Mandala]] is like [[a wheel]] on a [[vehicle]] that assists you to go forward, one may go wayward without fully [[understanding]] the [[skillful means]] of the [[Buddha’s teaching]] within the [[mandala]]. In order for us to understand [[universal]] [[reality]], one viewpoint may not be sufficient. |
| − | There are four types of Mandala studied in Shingon Buddhism: | + | There are four types of [[Mandala]] studied in [[Shingon Buddhism]]: |
| − | Maha Mandala (the Great Mandala) | + | [[Maha Mandala]] (the [[Great Mandala]]) |
| − | This is the Mandala that Mahavairocana, various Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and other deities are depicted together. There are countless numbers of beings in the world and all of them are sharing the life and virtues of the Dharmakaya. This mandala expresses the interdependence of beings in this world. | + | This is the [[Mandala]] that [[Mahavairocana]], various [[Buddhas]], [[Bodhisattvas]], and other [[deities]] are depicted together. There are countless numbers of [[beings]] in the [[world]] and all of them are sharing the [[life]] and [[virtues]] of the [[Dharmakaya]]. This [[mandala]] expresses the [[interdependence]] of [[beings]] in this [[world]]. |
| − | Samaya Mandala (symbolic Mandala) | + | [[Samaya]] [[Mandala]] ([[symbolic]] [[Mandala]]) |
| − | Samaya means vow. This mandala depicts symbols of the Buddha’s various vows instead of drawing their figures. For example, a stupa is drawn in the center to symbolize Mahavairocana, or a sword to symbolize Fudo Myoo. From this viewpoint, it is easier for us to understand each deity’s vow and significance. There are objects like metal, rocks, soil, etc. in this world. These objects are inanimate, but they are used as symbols for us to understand reality. | + | [[Samaya]] means [[vow]]. This [[mandala]] depicts [[symbols]] of the [[Buddha’s]] various [[vows]] instead of drawing their figures. For example, a [[stupa]] is drawn in the center to [[symbolize]] [[Mahavairocana]], or a sword to [[symbolize]] [[Fudo Myoo]]. From this viewpoint, it is easier for us to understand each [[deity’s]] [[vow]] and significance. There are [[objects]] like metal, rocks, soil, etc. in this [[world]]. These [[objects]] are [[inanimate]], but they are used as [[symbols]] for us to understand [[reality]]. |
| − | Dharma Mandala (Written form Mandala) | + | [[Dharma Mandala]] (Written [[form]] [[Mandala]]) |
| − | Dharma means teaching. Instead of figures or symbols, Siddham Sanskrit characters are used to express the deities. For example, the Sanskrit letter ‘A’ symbolizes Mahavairocana, | + | [[Dharma]] means [[teaching]]. Instead of figures or [[symbols]], [[Siddham]] [[Sanskrit]] characters are used to express the [[deities]]. For example, the [[Sanskrit]] [[letter]] ‘A’ [[symbolizes]] [[Mahavairocana]], ‘[[Hrih]]’ [[symbolizes]] [[Avalokitesvara]], ‘Ha’ [[symbolizes]] Ksiitgarbha, and so on. The [[spirit]] of the [[Dharma Mandala]] represents the [[manifestation]] of the [[Dharmakaya]], encompassing all things in this [[universe]]. |
| − | Karma Mandala (activity mandala) | + | [[Karma Mandala]] ([[activity]] [[mandala]]) |
| − | Karma means action or activity; therefore this mandala is not in an art form, but is often carved onto metal or stone in a three-dimensional viewpoint. The meaning of this Mandala is that all of the phenomenal activities, including our own actions, the movement of plants, clouds, stars, and seasons are all activities of Mahavairocana Buddha in itself. Thus, all movements or actions are expressed as the Karma Mandala. | + | [[Karma]] means [[action]] or [[activity]]; therefore this [[mandala]] is not in an [[art form]], but is often carved onto metal or stone in a three-dimensional viewpoint. The meaning of this [[Mandala]] is that all of the [[phenomenal]] [[activities]], including our [[own]] [[actions]], the {{Wiki|movement}} of [[plants]], clouds, {{Wiki|stars}}, and seasons are all [[activities]] of [[Mahavairocana Buddha]] in itself. Thus, all movements or [[actions]] are expressed as the [[Karma Mandala]]. |
| − | Just like there are a thousand remedies for a thousand symptoms, all things are invaluable and everything is interdependent. Not only are the physical and oral teachings the voice of Mahavairocana, but the sound of waves and the crash of waves hitting the shore are also the voice of Mahavairocana. When you try to look at the Buddhas in the Maha Mandala for example, you naturally try to understand the Buddha’s mind, teaching and actions. These four mandalas are not independent, but rather they are all interconnected and are just four different views of the same Mandala. | + | Just like there are a thousand remedies for a thousand symptoms, all things are invaluable and everything is [[interdependent]]. Not only are the [[physical]] and [[oral teachings]] the {{Wiki|voice}} of [[Mahavairocana]], but the [[sound]] of waves and the crash of waves hitting the shore are also the {{Wiki|voice}} of [[Mahavairocana]]. When you try to look at the [[Buddhas]] in the [[Maha Mandala]] for example, you naturally try to understand the [[Buddha’s mind]], [[teaching]] and [[actions]]. These four [[mandalas]] are not {{Wiki|independent}}, but rather they are all interconnected and are just four different [[views]] of the same [[Mandala]]. |
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://shingonjitemple.org/shingon/mandala/ shingonjitemple.org] | [http://shingonjitemple.org/shingon/mandala/ shingonjitemple.org] | ||
Revision as of 18:09, 11 March 2015
The Mandala is a manifestation of the spirit and the world of Mahavairocana Buddha. Kobo Daishi said in his report to the Imperial court, “It is hard to realize Universal Reality, therefore this is a way to help people to understand by using pictures.” It is almost impossible to explain the state of awakening with words, therefore in Shingon Buddhism, the mandala is effective in helping people to feel the reality of the teachings.
Mandala is a Sanskrit word literally meaning “circle”; in the Mahavairocana Tantra, this is explained further: Manda means essence while la signifies accomplishment. To accomplish the essence of the universal truth is the goal of Buddhism and through this awakening, one can achieve sokushin jobutsu (enlightenment in this body). The Mandala is like a wheel on a vehicle that assists you to go forward, one may go wayward without fully understanding the skillful means of the Buddha’s teaching within the mandala. In order for us to understand universal reality, one viewpoint may not be sufficient.
There are four types of Mandala studied in Shingon Buddhism:
Maha Mandala (the Great Mandala) This is the Mandala that Mahavairocana, various Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and other deities are depicted together. There are countless numbers of beings in the world and all of them are sharing the life and virtues of the Dharmakaya. This mandala expresses the interdependence of beings in this world.
Samaya Mandala (symbolic Mandala) Samaya means vow. This mandala depicts symbols of the Buddha’s various vows instead of drawing their figures. For example, a stupa is drawn in the center to symbolize Mahavairocana, or a sword to symbolize Fudo Myoo. From this viewpoint, it is easier for us to understand each deity’s vow and significance. There are objects like metal, rocks, soil, etc. in this world. These objects are inanimate, but they are used as symbols for us to understand reality.
Dharma Mandala (Written form Mandala) Dharma means teaching. Instead of figures or symbols, Siddham Sanskrit characters are used to express the deities. For example, the Sanskrit letter ‘A’ symbolizes Mahavairocana, ‘Hrih’ symbolizes Avalokitesvara, ‘Ha’ symbolizes Ksiitgarbha, and so on. The spirit of the Dharma Mandala represents the manifestation of the Dharmakaya, encompassing all things in this universe.
Karma Mandala (activity mandala) Karma means action or activity; therefore this mandala is not in an art form, but is often carved onto metal or stone in a three-dimensional viewpoint. The meaning of this Mandala is that all of the phenomenal activities, including our own actions, the movement of plants, clouds, stars, and seasons are all activities of Mahavairocana Buddha in itself. Thus, all movements or actions are expressed as the Karma Mandala.
Just like there are a thousand remedies for a thousand symptoms, all things are invaluable and everything is interdependent. Not only are the physical and oral teachings the voice of Mahavairocana, but the sound of waves and the crash of waves hitting the shore are also the voice of Mahavairocana. When you try to look at the Buddhas in the Maha Mandala for example, you naturally try to understand the Buddha’s mind, teaching and actions. These four mandalas are not independent, but rather they are all interconnected and are just four different views of the same Mandala.
