Mandala (Sanskrit for “circle”), in Mandala (Sanskrit for “circle”), in Hinduism and Buddhism, a Hinduism and Buddhism, a

diagram used as a focus and diagram used as a focus and guide for meditation. Each guide for meditation. Each

mandala represents the universe mandala represents the universe pictorially. pictorially.

Buddhist MandalaBuddhist Mandala This Buddhist mandala is made entirely of colored This Buddhist mandala is made entirely of colored

sand, spread by carefully tapping a funnel to sand, spread by carefully tapping a funnel to position the grains.position the grains.

Sand Mandala at San Antonio Sand Mandala at San Antonio Museum of ArtMuseum of Art

Hinduism Hinduism 

main Indian main Indian religion: religion: a major a major religion and religious religion and religious tradition of South tradition of South Asia, the oldest Asia, the oldest worldwide religion, worldwide religion, characterized by a characterized by a belief in reincarnation belief in reincarnation and a large pantheon and a large pantheon of gods and of gods and goddesses.goddesses.

Buddhism Buddhism 

Eastern religion: Eastern religion: a a world religion or world religion or philosophy based on philosophy based on the teaching of the the teaching of the Buddha and holding Buddha and holding that a state of that a state of enlightenmentenlightenment can be can be attained by attained by suppressing worldly suppressing worldly desires.desires.

The basic structure of the The basic structure of the mandala has also been mandala has also been used by other religions used by other religions and cultures; such as, and cultures; such as,

Native Americans, Celtics, Native Americans, Celtics, Mayans and Christians.Mayans and Christians.

Rose Window, Notre Rose Window, Notre Dame Dame

The north rose window of The north rose window of the Cathedral of Notre the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Paris, was built by Dame, Paris, was built by Jean de Chelles from 1240 Jean de Chelles from 1240 to 1250. It is 129 m (43 ft) to 1250. It is 129 m (43 ft) in diameter, and consists in diameter, and consists of brilliantly colored pieces of brilliantly colored pieces of glass with lead around of glass with lead around each piece, held in an iron each piece, held in an iron framework. The details in framework. The details in the religious scenes are the religious scenes are painted on the glass.painted on the glass.

Celtic Cross Celtic Cross In the 5th century Saint In the 5th century Saint

Patrick converted the Patrick converted the Celts, the Iron Age Celts, the Iron Age invaders of Ireland, to invaders of Ireland, to Christianity, but many of Christianity, but many of the converts retained the converts retained much of their Druidic much of their Druidic religion. This Celtic cross religion. This Celtic cross near the Shannon River in near the Shannon River in Ireland, with its elaborate Ireland, with its elaborate stylized relief of earth gods stylized relief of earth gods and woodland spirits, and woodland spirits, illustrates how the Celtic illustrates how the Celtic people preserved many of people preserved many of their Druidic beliefs.their Druidic beliefs.