THE EYE, 2023

The Buddhist mandala is a harmonious combination of a circle and a square , where the circle is a symbol of heaven, transcendence, externality and infinity, while the square represents the sphere of internality, which is related to man and the earth. Both figures are connected by a central point, which is both the beginning and the end of the whole system. There are different types of mandalas. There are purification mandalas, there are also mandalas that strengthen specific features or particular areas of human life. In the broadest sense, mandalas are diagrams that show how chaos takes on a harmonious form.

In Buddhism, the mandala is primarily used for purposes related to the practice of Vajrayana, where its fullest use is in the highest yoga tantras. The visible pictures show only diagrams of mandalas in the form of horizontal projections. On the basis of a given scheme, if one has received the appropriate initiation, one visualizes the spatial form of the mandala, as if it were in its center as if in a palace with the surrounding area, and oneself assumes the form of a yidam, characteristic of that particular mandala. It should be noted that the entire form of this palace, area and yidam serves the development of meditative focus in order to prepare for more advanced practices of the highest yoga tantras, and the visualizations themselves are performed in accordance with the Buddhist theory, e.g. on the "emptiness" of all manifestations called Siunjata and verbal instruction from a suitably qualified master.

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