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What
is a MANDALA?
The Hindu term for "circle". In Hindu and Buddhist
meditations, it is used to raise consciousness. In meditation, the
person fixes his or her mind on the center of the "sacred
circle." Geometric designs are common.
Pattern Symbolism:
001-Allah
To a Muslim, Allah is the Almighty, Creator and Sustainer
of the universe, who is similar to nothing and nothing is comparable to
Him. It is Allah who has made the Sun, Moon, symbolized in the yellow of
the design. The pattern depicts the name of Allah facing north, south,
east and west yet intertwined in the center.
002-OM
Sanskrit letters or symbol for the
"sacred" Hindu sound om (ohm or aum) called "the mother
of all mantras”. It occurs in every prayer. Om is used to signify divinity
and authority. OM is considered to be a cosmic sound, although it is not
given any specific definition, it is highly respected and revered. The
four parts symbolize four stages of consciousness: Awake, sleeping,
dreaming, and a transcendental state.
003-Angel
The symbol of an angel is as a spiritual being which assists and
serves God in many religious traditions.
004-Buddha
Buddha ("the awakened") was the title given to
Siddhartha Guatama, the son of a Nepalese rajah. According to tradition,
Guatama left a life of luxury at age 30 and devoted himself to years of
contemplation and self-denial, finally reaching enlightenment while
sitting beneath a tree. Henceforth known as Buddha, he spent his
life’s teaching disciples about his beliefs (embodied in the Four
Noble Truths) and the goal of achieving the enlightened state of
Nirvana. The
lotus, in the bottom of the design is one of Buddhism's most significant
symbols. It is a symbol of enlightenment and mental purity.
Water symbolizes purity, clarity
and calmness, and reminds us to cleanse our minds and attain the state
of purity
005-World Religions
Beginning at the top of the Mandala the you find the Cross
for Christianity, continue clockwise the Yin and Yang for Taoism, Star
of David for Judaism, the Ancient
symbol of the Goddess, the womb, fertility, continual change, and the
evolution of the universe., the Om for Hinduism,
Crescent Moon and Star for Islam, the Ansata cross (Anka) for Egyptology, it has also been
extensively used in the symbolism of the Coptic Christian church, and the Wheel or Dharmachakra for Buddhism.
006-Labyrinth
In its simplest form the labyrinth is a walking meditative
path. It can be used individually as an alternative to sitting
meditation. Because it requires no figuring out, one can simply walk,
allow the mind to quiet, and let the body take over.
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