The “Yamataka Mandala”, created in 1991 in Tibet by the monks of the Gyuto Tantric University, with its complex symbols and combination of primary colors expressing the principles of wisdom and compassion, has played an important role in Buddhist culture . The Yamataka Mandala piece is primarily made in a circular pattern with a repetition of vibrant shapes and colors. The Yamataka Mandala is a vivid work that emphasizes Tantric Buddhist philosophy. Say no to plagiarism. Get a Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the Original EssayThe Yamataka Mandala is a huge piece of sand measuring 96 x 96 inches. The process began with monks creating "an outline of a geometric pattern drawing on a wooden platform from memory." Then, using metal funnels and various tools, they poured, sprinkled and arranged millions of grains of colored sand in an intricate design” (artsmia.org.) The monks use a tool called chak-pur, which is a metal rod with a narrow tip on the end for dumping sand. Along the side of the rod is a ribbed surface to cause vibrations that allow the sand to flow like a liquid. Sand is then placed along the design until it fills the line. Once the monks' work was completed, the Minneapolis Institute of Art worked for four more weeks to preserve the Mandala. One of the MIA instructors said: “They surrounded the Mandala with a makeshift tall tent. Then they sprayed resin through a hole in the top of the tent to harden the sand and make it stick.” After that it was ready to hang, the monks put an incredible amount of work and time into this work of art and used large amounts of sand to create such details. The Yamataka Mandala is filled with multiple symbols. The outermost circular ring represents the terrestrial world and shows eight cemeteries with images of suffering and decaying skeletons, floating limbs, scavenging animals, trees, mountains and burial mounds called Stupas. Inside the outermost ring is another circle with a rainbow pattern of bright primary colors. This illustrates the five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Next, there is a ring of vajras called Indra's thunderbolt, and finally a band of lotus petals, "signifying spiritual purity and representing various deities" (Artmia.org). Then, going towards the center, we encounter the four square walls. The Minneapolis Institute of Art employee said, “It’s called Yamantaka Palace.” The "palace" contains four compass-shaped gates filled with symbols including masked guardians, cloud-shaped umbrellas to represent royalty and bejeweled trees for good fortune, wheels and deer for law. Yamantaka Palace “is the realm of perfect enlightenment” (Artmia.org). These symbols deal with human nature. Finally, the blue square in the center represents Yamantaka, the conqueror of death. All mandalas are a representation of the awakened mind of a Buddha. In fact, the Minneapolis Institute of Art's description says, "Tibetan Buddhists believe that there is a seed of enlightenment in each person's mind when contemplating a mandala." The Mandala was created to honor the 1.2 million Tibetans who lost their lives to political and religious persecution. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized paper now from our expert writers. Get a personalized essay that I..