Ritual

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The mandala indicates a focalization of wholeness and is
analogous to the cosmos. As a synergic form it reflects the
cosmogenic process, the cycles of elements, and harmoniously
integrates within itself the opposites, the earthly and the ethereal,
the kinetic and the static. The circle also functions as the nuclear
motif of the self, a vehicle for centering awareness, disciplining
concentration and arousing a state conducive to mystic exaltation.
Each of the five component parts of the mandala - the four sides
and the centre - is psychologically significant; they correspond to
the five structural elements of the human personality and the five
Buddhas of the Diamond Vehicle: Vairochana, 'The Brilliant
One'; Akshobhya, 'The Unshakable'; Ratnasambhava, 'The
Matrix of the Jewel'; Amitabha, 'The Infinite Light'; and
Amoghasiddhi, 'The Infallible Realization'. Through contemplation
on the mandala, the adept can tap higher levels of
integration and realize cosmic communion, a micro-macro unity:
The five Buddhas do not remain remote divine forms in distant heavens,
but descend into us. I am the cosmos and the Buddhas are in myself. In me
is the cosmic light, a mysterious presence, even if it be obscured by error.
But these five Buddhas are nevertheless in me, they are the five
constituents of the human personality. l6
Tucci further observes that 'Pure Consciousness assumes five
faces of different colours from which derive the five directions
which correspond to the five "families" of the Buddhist Schools.
White Sadyojata to the West, Yellow Vamadeva to the North,
Black Aghora to the South, Red Tatpurusa to the East, all grouped
around the central face which is that of the Green Isana.' 17 The five
colours also correspond to the five cosmic elements: white water,
yellow earth, red fire, green ether and blue space.
The mandala is a psychic complex which conditions the return
of the psyche to its potent core. Hence the initiation process is often
referred to as a 'march towards the centre' so that the adept can
interiorize the mandala in its totality, counterbalance the opposing
dimensions projected in its symbolism and finally be reabsorbed in
the cosmic space represented symbolically in the inner circle. The
process of interiorization is a matter of orderly progression,
wherein each inner circuit marks a phase in spiritual ascent. The
outer border denotes a 'barrier of fire or metaphysical knowledge
which burns ignorance'. Next comes the ring of diamonds
suggesting illumination or the quality of unchangeability, never
lost once knowledge is attained. In mandalas dedicated to
terrifying aspects of divinities the iconographic motif of a
cemetery is drawn within the girdle of diamonds and outside the