MANDALA KALACHAKRA - Wheel of Time
Kalachakra Mandala is the graphic (most detailed) and drawn representation of Mandala created with colored powders, by Tibetan Buddhist monks, during the Kalachakra initiation rite. Achieving the rite provides access to higher knowledge.
These Mandalas consist of a square base, a system with four zones/islands, and externally eight smaller islands (the wheels of the Dharma), which support the center, the seat of knowledge. The four islands represent the four elements, through which it is possible to reach the center, where is knowledge. The Earth element is black (it goes down), the Air is orange, the Fire is red and the Water is blue. This is called also “Journey of Soul”. These 4 elements has 3 levels, to represent 12 different aspects and proprieties. Soul needs to pass through these aspects to complete himself and reach the self-knowledge.
So the symbolic meaning of this design, is the representation of the systems that make up the universe, to reach the highest and deepest knowledge of the Universe system, and self-knowledge. The resulting geometry gives the depth to the Mandala, representing precisely the multiplicity of systems, one inside the other. So it is considered the "representation of the Universe".
There is a legend about this sacred geometry : Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, saw this design projected on the roof in a meditative phase. In that moment he had the intuition and the realization that all things are part of systems within each other, individually but at the same time, part of a larger system; he saw in a fractalic way, that everything has its function in the small, to allow something greater to exist, and so on. So this is the realization of the interdependence of things. This design is able to activate the intuition of universal dynamics, finding them in every context. The importance of this design is really high for the tradition, in fact Tibetan monasteries are conceived and built with this geometry, so seeing the Kalachakra Mandala is like observing a monastery from above.
The Mandala Kalachakra is also called the house of the Buddha or the house of knowledge.
In the external corners there are 4 Infinity Knot.
- Infinity Knot : symbol of protection and friendship, it exhorts knowledge and clarity of the dynamics of cause and effect, of the universe, this is represented by the geometric lines that intersect. It means realization that all things are interdependent with each other.
In the frame there are 8 Dragons and 4 Garudas:
These two mythological animals are part of the "Four Dignities", which are: the dragon, the garuḍa, the tiger, and the snow lion.
For asian traditions, Dragons and Garudas are considerate an helpful and benevolent sacred mythical beasts. They bring health, energy, wisdom, prosperity, abundance, longevity, protection and power. According to Tibetan legends, dragons have the ability to communicate ideas as well as a strong ability to discern what is true from what is fake. The Tibetan dragon is a strong symbol of luck and used to attract good of fortune.
Dragon and Garuda are also the protectors of Buddhist Knowledge.
In the internal corners there are 4 Auspicious Symbols:
- Cymbals : Cymbals are used in Tibetan rituals as a musical instrument. They are one of the "Five attributes of sensory pleasure" and represent a sense of rhythm and lightness that can be achieved through hearing. They represent the state of mental well-being and a pure and clear mind.
- Bilva fruit : This symbol has a double meaning: pure worldly actions and high pure worldly actions. They can also be understood as "Right Action and Wisdom". Right action is the ability to recognize that happiness and suffering arise from healthy and unhealthy causes respectively. Wisdom comes from understanding the interdependence that connects all things.
- Shell : Shell is the representation of deep knowledge. It feeds spiritual passions and aspirations, awakening from the abyss of ignorance and suffering.
- Mirror : The mirror is one of the "Five attributes of sensory pleasure". Shakyamuni was exhausted from years of extreme asceticism, so a young girl brought him food. He regained his splendor and he achieved the 32 major signs of Buddhahood. A goddess placed the mirror in front of him as a testimony of this splendor. It Symbolizes the Dharmakaya, or Buddha's Body of Truth, and its aspects of purity (a mirror does not get dirty, whatever it reflects) and wisdom (a mirror reflects all phenomena, without distinction). It represents the Right View.
The material is cotton canvas, and the colors are water-soluble pigments, both minerals and organic materials, tempered with a solution of grass and glue.
All Details are painted with 24 Kt GOLD Powder
