Mandala of Manjusri

NEPAL

This Newar Buddhist mandala features a concentric outer circle and inner square. The center consists of nine squares; five squares have four-petal lotuses, while the other squares contain circles. There are a total of eight T-shape gates; the outer circle has four gates, each guarded by a Dharma protector, while the inner square has four arched gates, each with two pillars. There are several concentric circles in the border of the mandala, including a flame wheel, a vajra wheel, and a lotus wheel. Usually, the mandala of Manjusri has images of 220 Buddhas and Bodhisattvas; however, this mandala has no images, which is a distinguishing feature of Nepalese Buddhist art.