Punakha Dzong: Mandala of the Five Buddhas

BHUTAN, Punakha

This mandala is kept in the Punakha Dzong in Thimphu, Bhutan, and is displayed during special religious festivals and rituals. Seeing the mandala is said to bring blessings. The Five Dhyani Buddhas are arranged within the central circle, each sitting peacefully on a lotus throne. Vairocana Buddha is in the center, most likely forming the vitarka (teaching) mudra. Four lotus stems extend from the rings surrounding Vairocana; each supports three small circles filled with gold text. The blue Aksobhya Buddha below Vairocana represents the east gate of the mandala. The yellow Ratnasambhava Buddha represents the south gate, the red Amitabha Buddha represents the west gate, and the green Amoghasiddhi Buddha represents the north gate. The white, blue, yellow, red, and green colors of the Buddhas are matched in the rings that surround each figure. Gold inscriptions cover the large rings and small circles that make up the rest of the mandala. Heavenly beings stand on clouds in the upper corners. Between the two lamas in the lower corners there are symbolic representations of the five senses: a mirror, a three-stringed zither, a conch shell, fruit, and silk.