KYABJE LAMA ZOPA RINPOCHE
The mandala is a representation of the universe, in its conventional form or as a completely purified realm of existence. There are many different mandalas with distinct concepts and for different purposes. Cosmic mandalas represent our universe and its development; deity mandalas represent our universe as an Enlightened Being’s pure realm. In Tibetan Buddhism, deity mandalas are visualized in meditation. They are also painted or created from colored sand as three-dimensional representations for special pujas (ritual offering ceremonies) or initiations; those made of sand are dismantled and dispersed after completion to signify the impermanence of all phenomena.
The mandala offering is one of the most engaging and uplifting of Tibetan Buddhist rituals. During pujas, or to precede teachings and practices, one makes a mandala offering. This is a powerful symbolic prayer offering of the entire universe to all the Buddhas of the ten directions. A mandala offering can be performed either long or short. Also, one can offer a mandala either using a mandala offering set, comprised of a base, rings, and substances that are piled up like a mountain, or with the mandala hand mudra. The mantra that goes with the ritual can either be long or short, depending on which ritual you wish to perform.
Practice making this mandala offering mudra. Place your hands in this mudra in front of you as you recite the mandala offering mantras (either long or short). The two upright fingers in the center signify Mount Meru (the Buddhist axis of the cosmos), while the four corners signify the four continents.
THE SHORT MANDALA OFFERING
SA ZHI PO KYI JUG SHING MAY TOG TRAM
RI RAB LING ZHI NYI DAY GYAN PA DI
SANG GYAY, ZHING DU MIG TAY UL WAR GYI
DRO KUN NAM DAG ZHING LA CHO PAR SHOG
TRANSLATION:
This ground anointed with perfume, and strewn with flowers. In the center is Mount Meru, around it the four continents, the sun and the moon. I imagine this as a Buddha Pure Land of bliss and I offer it. May all beings enjoy this Pure Land.
DAG GI CHAG DANG MONG SUM KYAY WAY YUL,
DRA NYEN BAR SUM LU DANG LONG CHO CHAY
PANG PA MAY PAR BUL GYI LEG ZHAY NAY
DUG SUM RANG SAR DROL WAR JIN GYI LOB
TRANSLATION:
The objects of attachment, aversion, and ignorance – my friends, my enemies, and strangers. My body, my wealth, and my enjoyments. I offer these with no sense of loss. Please accept them with pleasure and bless me with freedom from the three poisons of anger, attachment, and ignorance.
THE LONG MANDALA OFFERING
To perform this very auspicious and powerful ritual you need the mandala offering set, which comprises a base and three rings. Mandala sets can be purchased in India, Nepal, Tibet, and most Buddhist meditation centers around the world. They are usually made of silver and plated with gold. The belief is that the more valuable your mandala offering base, the more auspicious the effects of the ritual. For the filling, you can use rice, wheat, or other grains, and you can place as many precious things as you wish with the grain. I use a mixture of semi-precious stones – crystal, amethyst, tiger’s eye, jade, citrine, quartz, lapis lazuli, malachite, amber, coral, and so forth. To add greater value to my offering, I also include a few precious stones. You should use beads and colored stones, or anything that symbolizes something of value to you. Always keep your mandala set wrapped up in soft velvet or silk when you are not using it.
The Method
Take some grain in your left hand and hold the mandala base. With your right hand, sprinkle some grain on the base. Wipe the base clockwise three times with your right forearm, tipping the grain away from you. Visualize purifying incorrect motivation. Put more grain on the base. Wipe anti-clockwise three times with your right forearm, tipping the grain toward yourself. Visualize receiving great blessings from the merit field (the buddhas, gurus, or both, whose visualization bestows merit) to offer the mandala from your heart. Spread more grain to symbolize precious jewels.
The Long Mandala Mantra (English translation)
Recite the following:
Place the first ring on the base.
In the west, Balangcho (Cattle-Gift Land). In the north, Draminyan.In the east, the sub-continents Lu and Lupag, in the south, Ngayab and Ngayabzhan.In the west, Yodan and Lamchog dro, in the north, Draminyan and Draminyan Gyida.Here’s the precious mountain; the wish-granting tree; the wish-fulfilling cow; the unploughed harvest.
Place the second ring on the base. Visualize placing Eight Precious Objects belonging to a wheel-turning king who rules the four continents.
Continue on the inner area of the second ring. Say the following:
