Giuseppe Tucci

The Theory and Practice of the Mandala

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Mandalas are complex arrangements of patterns or pictures used in Hindu and Buddhist Tantrism to represent the cosmos (or &quote;wholeness&quote;) and to give expression to the infinite possibilities of the human subconscious. Though mandala means &quote;circle&quote; in Sanskrit, mandalas are more often squares or rectangles, filled with images and geometric figures that symbolize forces of the individual and collective psyche and the flow of energy to and from a central point. Believers use this powerful figure as a focus of ritual and a support for meditations — through its use gaining possession of the energies signified by its images or symbols.This intriguing, thought-provoking study by one of the world's leading authorities on the subject examines the basic doctrine behind the theory and practice of the mandala in India and Tibet, by both Hindus and Buddhists. &quote;As a whole,&quote; as the author says in his preface, &quote;the spiritual background is the same: … the yearning to find out a way from time to eternity, to help the primeval consciousness … to recovery of its integrity.&quote; Individual chapters consider the doctrinal basis of the mandala, the mandala and its various parts, the liturgy of the mandala, and the mandala in the human body. Of special interest to students of Eastern philosophy and art, this volume will also fascinate New Agers and anyone interested in the symbols and psychology of Asian cultures.
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210 printed pages
Publication year
2012
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  • Marcie Mata Dshared an impression5 years ago
    🔮Hidden Depths
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    El libro es bastante interesante pero no está bien editado y no es fácil para su lectura

Quotes

  • Marcie Mata Dhas quoted5 years ago
    of scroll-work. This is the Mountain of Fire (me ri), a flaming barrier which, it would seem, forbids access, but which, in fact, according to the symbology of Tantric gnosis, represents consciousness that must burn ignorance, dispelling the darkness of error and leading us to that cognition which we are seeking.
    Immediately after this circle a girdle of diamond (rdorje ra ba) is drawn. The diamond symbolizes Supreme Cognition, bodhi, Illumination, Absolute Essence, Cosmic Consciousness, which, once it has been attained is never again lost.
  • Marcie Mata Dhas quoted5 years ago
    A maala, then, is surrounded and circumscribed by a circle on which is displayed an uninterrupted line
  • Marcie Mata Dhas quoted5 years ago
    a general way, it may be said that a maala contains an outer enclosure and one or more concentric circles which, in their turn, enclose the figure of a square cut by transversal lines. These start from the centre and reach to the four corners so that the surface is divided up into four triangles. In the centre and in the middle of each triangle five circles contain emblems or figures of divinities.

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