They include geometric shapes and ancient spiritual symbols. In general, all mandalas have outer, inner, and secret meanings. On the outer level, they represent the world in its divine form. On the inner level, they represent a map by which the ordinary human mind is transformed into enlightened mind. And, on the secret level, they depict the primordial perfect balance of the subtle energies of the body and the clear light dimension of the mind.
Various mandalas can symbolize different spiritual approaches.
For example, one type of mandala can symbolize compassion as the core of spiritual experience, another can focus on wisdom, and a still another can symbolize the need for courage and strength in the quest for sacred knowledge. There are hundreds of mandalas associated with deities in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, including the healing Buddha, the Buddha of boundless life, the opponent of death, and the Buddha of compassion. Mandalas have their roots in the legacy of Buddhist India, extending back some 15,000-20,000 years to the time preceding the migration of native North Americans from Central Asia. Therefore, there are similarities between it and the sand-painting traditions of the natives of the Southwest United States, such as the Hopi and the Navajo. On previous tours, the lamas of the Drepung Loseling Monastery have constructed sand paintings at Chicago s Field Museum of Natural History, CNN s headquarters in Atlanta, Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa, the San Francisco Science Museum, Seattle s International Children s Festival, and elsewhere.