Alchi Monastery Three Story Hall: Diamond Realm Mandala

INDIA, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh

There are ten mandalas painted on the walls of the second story of Three Story Hall for use as aids during meditation: two on each of the north, east, and west walls, and four on the south wall. This mandala is painted on the left side of the east wall. It consists of an outer circle measuring 215 cm in diameter, and an inner square with Vairocana Buddha seated serenely in the center.
Vairocana, with hands forming the bodhyangi (wisdom fist) mudra, sits in full lotus position on a lotus throne supported by two squatting lions. Four Buddhas surround Vairocana, each positioned within the inner square according to their associated direction. They are Aksobhya, Buddha of the east, Ratnasambhava, Buddha of the south, Amitabha, Buddha of the west, and Amoghasiddhi, Buddha of the north. Together with Vairocana, these are the Five Dhyani Buddhas. The Buddhas are in different colors, form different mudras, and sit on thrones supported by different animals. The corners of the inner square are occupied by four Wisdom Kings who sit in half lotus position and hold different objects. There are 24 Bodhisattvas in the outer square: four guarding the gateways in the middle of each side of the square, four making offerings in the corners, and 16 along the sides. A white lion and two deer are painted on each of the four gateways. The fierce lion holds a pearl in its mouth while the two deer gaze to the sides. Makaras with vajras in their trunks flank the gateways.
The square is surrounded by two rings: the inner ring is painted with vajras while the outer ring is decorated with flames. Outside the outer circle, four seated Bodhisattvas making offerings are painted in the corners. Beneath the mandala, there are two rows of seated Bodhisattvas and a large seated Buddha on the left. The mandala is detailed and orderly, with uniquely depicted figures and balanced colors.