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~ Mandala of Wisdom and Impermanence ~

25x25 cm acrylic painting on canvas

The Mandala of "Wisdom and Impermanence", a mandala that contains many valuable information and sacred teachings and is part of a more elaborate ritual of Buddhist monks.

The image represents a Buddhist temple viewed from above, with four gates (sides of the square) oriented towards the cardinal points.

In Buddhist rituals, these types of mandalas are created with colored sand, with great patience, dedication and perseverance by several monks who together sit in a circle and decorate it in detail, while entering a meditative, prayerful state. All their benevolent intentions are supposedly imprinted in the mandala, which is itself like a sacred manual with valuable teachings. It describes the stages of evolution of human consciousness and is "read" from the outside inward, where the outer circles represent the stages of growth, an evolutionary transformation that allows us to enter the sacred space of the mandala - the temple of the deities. They describe the obstacles we must overcome to reach our center, our being, our self, the spiritual enlightenment.

The outer circle of fire symbolizes the burning of human ignorance, an evolutionary transformation that allows us to enter the sacred space of the Mandala. The diamonds in the next circle represent indestructibility and the lightning bolts - enlightenment. In the next ring, the eight aspects of human consciousness are invoked, which hold us in the wheel of Samsara, the cycle of birth and rebirth. On the inner circle appear the lotus petals, which symbolize spiritual flowering, a religious rebirth - accompanied by the entrance in the "sacred palace".

The symbolism varies from one mandala to another, but the gates of the temple are usually associated with values ​​​​from Buddhism: loving-kindness, affection, compassion and equanimity. The center of the mandala represents the sacred space, Nirvana, liberation from suffering, the essence of Buddha and here often appear representations of deities or sacred beings from Buddhism. In this mandala, the well-known Flower of Life - a symbol of creation in sacred geometry - is painted in the sacred space.

With all these valuable sacred teachings, it is no wonder that it is called the “Mandala of Wisdom and Impermanence,” and the second term in the name is even more fascinating. It refers to the changing and impermanent nature of the world and all things seen and unseen; This concept of constant transformation is beautifully captured in the ritual that accompanies the creation of the mandala. Finally, after days or weeks of laborious work, Buddhist monks participate in a ritual in which the mandala is destroyed and the sand from which it was made is blown into the wind or sprinkled on the waters of rivers, in order to share all the benevolent intentions and prayers with which they created it. It is believed that every grain of sand contains the potential for benevolence and is like a seed scattered on fertile lands.

A ritual that reminds us to live in the present moment without focusing all our attention on the destination, on the result. To enjoy the journey and to sacralize it. It reminds us of the ephemeral nature of all things and people around us and invites us to become aware of the miracle of life, which is here and now. Very profound teaching. 

This Buddhist mandala encompasses a multitude of precious and profound information. It is not just a concept, it involves deeply meaningful activities, sacred rituals and offers many practical guidelines for liberation from suffering that can be applied in everyday life. It is a treasure!

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