Description

“Buddha In Mandala” is one of my pieces from the spiritual collection named “In Search Of Peace.” This particular art was initially inspired by the historic pages and books that date back to the reign of Jayadeva Malla in the 13th century.

While mandalas have become more and more symbolic figures rather than their original form, I chose to create a visual image focusing on the significance of the mandala itself. For those unknown, mandalas embody the principle of life. As a reference from the older historic books, our Kathmandu Valley is mentioned as a mandala in itself.

Our cultural references have hinted Kathmandu to be a form of Cakrasamvara—the most important Buddhist esoteric deity that is surrounded by the sites of eight Bodhisattvas. As mandalas come in multiple shapes, our valley is shaped in a similar way as a circular mandala. Not only relating to the Buddhists, but mandalas are also a crucial aspect in a most Hindu households.

Talking about it from the scientific point of view, the mandala portrays five formulas; solidity (earth), liquidity (water), mobility (air), heat (fire), and ether (space). Hence, depicting these five elements in our Kathmandu Valley is the Pancha Buddha that faces in five directions. They include Vairochana (Central), Akshobhaya (East), Amitabha (West), Ratnasambhava (North), and Amoghasiddhi (South).

In this painting, the Mandala depicts an illustration of Lord Budhha in the middle portraying mental peace and joy. The Buddha represents more than just a mere symbol of faith, it reminds us in symbols of the virtue of life. Altogether, “Budhha In Mandala” stands for peace and prosperity inside the valley.

I drew it back then to console people from their fears and hence, represent mental peace inside the valley.