Mandala Offering Platter
Offering the mandala is a foundational ritual of tantric Buddhism. By sequentially invoking the major features and treasures of Buddhist cosmology, the practitioner assembles of simulacrum of the entire universe and gives it to their teacher or tutelary deity as a sign of ultimate devotion and the exchange of wealth for wisdom. While such rituals are performed repeatedly with material offerings, in meditation, and with gestures of the hands, they are also depicted in sculpture or painting. This example from Western Tibet, made of silver and turquoise, shows many of the places and treasures named in the liturgy.
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Photography by Eric Huntington.
Sumeru and surrounding mountains
The center of the mandala holds a piece of turquoise that represents Sumeru, the enormous mountain at the center of the Buddhist cosmos and a dwelling place of devas.
For a more complete explanation of the structure of the cosmos according to Buddhist tradition, see this interactive image of the Cakravala world.
Jambudvipa & islands
Unlike geographic images of the cosmos, where features like continents and oceans appear in more detail, here Jambudvipa and its flanking islands are shown only as small geometric figures.
Godaniya & islands
Unlike geographic images of the cosmos, where features like continents and oceans appear in more detail, here Godaniya and its flanking islands are shown only as small geometric figures.
Uttarakuru & islands
Unlike geographic images of the cosmos, where features like continents and oceans appear in more detail, here Uttarakuru and its flanking islands are shown only as small geometric figures.
Videha & islands
Unlike geographic images of the cosmos, where features like continents and oceans appear in more detail, here Videha and its flanking islands are shown only as small geometric figures.
Sun
Moon
The moon is distinguished from the disc of the sun on the opposite side of the platter by a small incised drawing of a hare.
Wish-granting Tree
The wish-granting tree is one of four treasures associated with the four major continents.
Milch Cow
The wish-granting milch cow is one of four treasures associated with the four major continents.
Unsown Harvest
The crop that can be harvested without being sown is one of four treasures associated with the four major continents.
Jewel Mountain
The jewel mountain is one of four treasures associated with the four major continents.
Wheel
The wheel is the foremost of seven treasures that belong to the cakravartin ("wheel-turning") king, the ruler of the entire world.
Jewels
The treasured jewel is one of seven treasures that belong to the cakravartin ("wheel-turning") king, the ruler of the entire world.
Queen
The cakravartin king's queen is considered to be one of his treasures, as well.
Minister
The cakravartin king's minister is considered to be one of his treasures, as well.
Elephant
A special war elephant is one of seven treasures that belong to the cakravartin ("wheel-turning") king, the ruler of the entire world.
Horse
A special horse is one of seven treasures that belong to the cakravartin ("wheel-turning") king, the ruler of the entire world.
General
The cakravartin king's general is considered to be one of his treasures, as well.
Vase
Because there are only seven treasures of the cakravartin king, a treasure vase is added to the this circle of offerings to make a complete and symmetrical set of eight.
Offering Goddess
The four offering goddess depicted on this platter stand in for the eight that are invoked in the liturgy, with each depicted goddess representing two from the full set.
For a complete list of offerings, see my diagrams of the structure and liturgy.
Offering Goddess
The four offering goddess depicted on this platter stand in for the eight that are invoked in the liturgy, with each depicted goddess representing two from the full set.
For a complete list of offerings, see my diagrams of the structure and liturgy.
Offering Goddess
The four offering goddess depicted on this platter stand in for the eight that are invoked in the liturgy, with each depicted goddess representing two from the full set.
For a complete list of offerings, see my diagrams of the structure and liturgy.
Offering Goddess
The four offering goddess depicted on this platter stand in for the eight that are invoked in the liturgy, with each depicted goddess representing two from the full set.
For a complete list of offerings, see my diagrams of the structure and liturgy.
