| In Mongolia as in other regions of Central Asia a | | | | the natural unity of the universe.In "the other |
| diverse set of Buddhist traditions have been cultivated | | | | Kalachakra", some have referred to this integrative |
| by the Buddhist faithful. Among these traditions, | | | | process with its natural ebb and flow, as the rhythm of |
| perhaps some of the most important customs are | | | | time. This rhythmic flow as represented by the slow |
| those associated with Tibetan Tantric Buddhism, and | | | | moving currents of the wind and rain, in concert with |
| more specifically, a particular symbol known as the | | | | the natural movement of the varied elements of the |
| "Kalachakra, Wheel of Time". The "Kalachakra" | | | | universe, could quite possibly, even be referred to as a |
| "Wheel of Time" is a "Mandala"; a Buddhist symbol that | | | | sacred symhony of sound.Opportunities to Expand |
| has a round, perfectly shaped symmetrical form. It is | | | | Human ConsciousnessWhen we think of the |
| divided into four separate sections; each of them | | | | "Kalachakra", "Wheel of Time", the great mystery of |
| contributing to a single unitary shape.Recognized in | | | | human life with all of its hidden secrets may upon |
| many regions throughout much of the world today, the | | | | further consideration become an active element in the |
| "Mandala", first appeared as a religious representation | | | | consciousness of any cultivated mind. In the teachings |
| of Hindu, and afterward Buddhist conceptions of the | | | | of the Dalai Lama, the rituals associated with the |
| cosmos. As a complex composite of both philosophical | | | | "Kalachakra" have become an important part of his |
| and religious belief, the "Mandala" is a representation of | | | | efforts to promote the realization of people who are |
| conceptions of the universe that have existed for | | | | seeking spiritual development across wide regions of |
| millenia. Having appeared in Sanskrit the classical script | | | | the Asian continent and throughout the world as a |
| of India and incorporated into the teachings of Lord | | | | whole.In India, Tibet and Mongolia, for example, His |
| Buddha Shakyamuni, the lexis of the term provides an | | | | Holiness has performed a number of "Kalachakra" |
| opportunity for people to examine the realities of life | | | | ceremonies as a rite of initiation to grant permission to |
| that transcend ordinary notions of time and | | | | Buddhist practitioners to begin to practice the |
| space.These notions, both time and space, as esoteric | | | | "Kalachakra Tantra". These rituals are performed to |
| as they may be, are in fact embedded in the term | | | | provide blessings and good fortune to all of the people |
| "Mandala" as it contains two syllables, "manda" | | | | who inhabit the environment in which the sacred |
| meaning essence and "la" meaning container. It is | | | | ceremony is performed. The practice of the "Tantra", |
| however true that the precise meaning of the term | | | | a word that may mean Hindu or Buddhist scripture", or |
| may lie somewhere beyond mere literal translations of | | | | in its more literal form, "stream of continuity" is a |
| the written word. English translations of the term have | | | | process whereby members of the "Sangha" attempt |
| in fact included such key phrases as "Container of | | | | to free people from human suffering as part of their |
| Essence" and perhaps more aptly, "Sphere of | | | | ongoing quest for spiritual enlightenment.First performed |
| Essence". But it is arguable that neither has captured | | | | by the Dalai Lama in the fifth decade of the twentieth |
| the deep meaning of the word.Understanding the | | | | century shortly after the Chinese occupation of Tibet, |
| Meaning in the WordWhen we reflect upon the | | | | the "Kalachakra" ritual has purportedly been cloaked in |
| meaning of the term, both literal and figurative, for | | | | a number of misconceptions that have yet to be fully |
| many of us, it may certainly sound quite mysterious. | | | | described. As a means to dispel any |
| And for some people who have had no previous | | | | misunderstandings about the nature and significance of |
| exposure to the word at all, a wide range of images | | | | the symbol or any rituals associated with its existence, |
| both good and bad could quite possibly be called to | | | | His Holiness has performed a number of rituals often |
| mind. But for those willing to expend only a little bit of | | | | utilizing the legendary sand "Mandala".In this sacred |
| effort and consider the significance of the word itself, | | | | ritual monks participating in the ceremony construct as |
| the term could quite possibly, open up a whole new | | | | etheral "Kalachakra". It is made from fine grains of |
| world just waiting to be explored.In an assessment of | | | | sand. And after bearing witness to the natural beauty |
| the meaning of the word and its relation to self | | | | of the symbol, and upon pondering the profound nature |
| exploration and the expansion of human | | | | of its design, the "Kalachakra" is subsequently |
| consciousness, M. Gankhuyag, a lama at Ulaanbaatar's | | | | crushed.The grains of sand from the "Kalachakra" are |
| Gandan monastery says "the Kalachakra, Wheel of | | | | then shared among members of the entire community |
| Time, a "Mandala", has long been associated with the | | | | in a ritual designed to reinforce the teachings of the |
| legendary land of Shambala. Often described as a | | | | Buddha and promote the health and well being of the |
| mythical place in a region surrounded by majestic | | | | entire "Sangha". These rituals are performed to |
| snow covered mountains, Shambala is a pure land: a | | | | promote feelings of happiness and goodwill, and most |
| place where sentient beings travel upon a beautiful | | | | importantly to promote enlightenment for those seeking |
| path. It is a great road to both peace and | | | | the Buddhist path.Implications for Human Thought and |
| enlightenment".As a means to facilitate this journey, the | | | | DevelopmentIn an exhortation of the merits of the |
| "Kalachakra", "Wheel of Time" has been utilized by | | | | "Dharma" that are reflected in the Kalachakra |
| Mongolian and Tibetan Buddhists to assist people to | | | | ceremonies, the Dalai Lama has encouraged members |
| find their own unique spiritual path. In a set of rituals, | | | | of the "Sangha" to embrace the opportunities that |
| some of which were purportedly performed by the | | | | surround them as life as we know it will sure come to |
| Lord Buddha himself, Mongolian Buddhists continue to | | | | an end.According to His Holiness there are three |
| engage in a number of activities that include chants, | | | | fundamental principles that can help people to exercise |
| dance, and perhaps most interesting meditations upon | | | | their opportunities as they exist here on earth. These |
| fire.In these sacred fire rituals, rarely known to | | | | include the realization of the opportunities our human |
| individuals outside of Mongolian and Tibetan circles, | | | | existence affords us, an appreciation of the rarity of |
| more than twenty types of material including flesh, | | | | these opportunities, and a realization of the great |
| butter, seeds, and wood are offered to venerable | | | | significance of these opportunities.Once we have |
| deities who exist within the flames of a fire. The | | | | become inspired to exercise such options we can then |
| purpose of these activities are not only to please the | | | | attempt to attain the three primary objectives of the |
| gods, they increase the probability of a desirable rebirth | | | | "Dharma". They include the attainment of a higher |
| and in some cases even release the individual from | | | | rebirth, the attainment of liberation from cyclic |
| the ceaseless cycle of painful human existence. This is | | | | existence, and the |
| of course a fundamental objective of the Buddhist | | | | attainment of full enlightenment.From a Buddhist |
| faith and all of its teachings.And while each of these | | | | perspective it is possible to say that enlightenment |
| rituals have been devised to bring people closer to a | | | | often becomes possible possible only with a |
| true state of enlightenment, the fire meditations provide | | | | fundamental transformation of the human mind. If we |
| people with a unique opportunity to begin to | | | | look to examples of enlightened people we find that |
| understand key concepts at the heart of Buddhist | | | | the cultivation of such a condition is often contingent |
| thought. And while these ideas include a vast number | | | | upon the realization that human existnce is dependent |
| of concepts perhaps none of them are more | | | | upon a number of conditions and entitities both organic |
| important than the Buddhist principles of impermanence | | | | and inorganic. Therefore as it is virtually impossible for |
| and emptiness.Both of these concepts timeless | | | | an individual to exist as a discrete entity, the notion of |
| precepts which in many instances continue to have a | | | | an independent self is not a reality but merely an |
| very important impact upon the psychology of people | | | | illusion.As we begin to acknowledge the implications of |
| in the world's most populous regions were no doubt, | | | | this reality enlightened individuals often begin to see the |
| important elements in the consciousness of the | | | | natural unity of the universe. Religious piety is likely to |
| Buddha. And they have subsequently become an | | | | increase. And feelings of compassion, peace and |
| important part of the Buddhist fath. They are an | | | | tolerance are likely to flow.Developing a New |
| integral part of the "Dharma", the body of Buddhist | | | | Mongolian PsychologyWhen we consider the collective |
| thought, and the "Sangha", the entire Buddhist | | | | consciousness of the Mongolian people however we |
| community.Pondering the Word and ImageWhen we | | | | must begin to come to terms with the violent assault |
| focus upon the meaning of space and time and its | | | | upon Buddhist beliefs that occured during much of the |
| relation to the "Mandala", we find that the concepts of | | | | twentieth century.Begining shortly after the People's |
| impermanence and emptiness are well represented. | | | | Revolution, Soviet political repression had a major |
| These concepts are not only included in the literal | | | | affect upon the thought processes of the Mongolian |
| meaning of the word. They are also manifest in the | | | | people and continued for many decades. Yet the fate |
| physical representation of the image, especially the | | | | of Mongolian monks and members of the "Sangha" |
| "Kalachakra", "Wheel of Time".And while the meaning | | | | was by comparison even much worse.Many monks |
| of the word, "Mandala", may provide individuals seeking | | | | perished and members of the Mongolian lamasery |
| spiritual guidance with an opportunity to begin to | | | | were left to cower in the corner. Nothing could have |
| understand some of the finer points of Buddhist | | | | been more depressing.In more than a decade |
| thought, the physical representation of the image | | | | however, prospects for the Mongolian "Sangha" have |
| provides a tangible concrete form, to provide | | | | appeared much brighter. The Gandan Monastery has |
| interested people with an opportunity to begin to | | | | been resurrected. And large numbers of people are |
| absorb a set of abstract ideas that could otherwise be | | | | free to worship in a climate that is almost completely |
| quite difficult to comprehend.To illustrate this point it can | | | | open. The benefits of this newfound freedom are quite |
| be said that the "Kalachakra" may be divided into three | | | | obvious.If we consider the contemporary |
| distinct layers of meaning. Each layer is joined to form | | | | consciousness of the Mongolian people we find that |
| an integrated image that represents the relationship | | | | more and more people are returning to their religious |
| between all things, particularly the relationship between | | | | roots. Children are becoming more familiar with the |
| the universe, the individual, and the mind.Unraveling an | | | | "Dharma". And while their still may be a long way to |
| Ancient Multilayered LexisAs a means to express the | | | | go, a more natural form of selflessness consistent with |
| relationship between the universe, the individual and the | | | | the teachings of the Buddha has come increasingly |
| mind, the outer layer of a "Kalachakra" typically | | | | into play.A Modern Day Consciousness Based upon |
| represents the whole human environment complete | | | | Buddhist ThoughtWhen we consider the developments |
| with depictions of the natural elements the earth, wind, | | | | in Buddhist thought during the last decade we can |
| water and fire. And it may even include a | | | | experience a new form of contentment that is strong |
| representation of Mount Meru.Mount Meru, a symbol in | | | | and deep. As children become more familiar with the |
| Tibetan mythology, is a place which represents the | | | | "Dharma" our heritage and culture begins to |
| center of the universe, a dwelling place of gods. It also | | | | bloom.Buddhist values like Peace, Compassion and |
| represents the stillness of the human mind; a symbol of | | | | Tolerance increasingly take root. The benefits of such |
| self cultivation for those who have chosen the | | | | a state of mind are completely clear.And as we |
| Buddhist path.The inner layer of the "Kalachakra", in | | | | consider the prospects for the spread of our faith we |
| contrast, represents the existence of humans within | | | | should feel heartened. A new era is upon us. We |
| their native surroundings. The integration of these two | | | | should exercise the opportunities that now exist.We |
| layers represents a natural reciprocity that exists | | | | feel fortunate. It is now once again a very good time |
| beween both the organic and inorganic elements in the | | | | to be a Buddhist in Mongolia. For this we are happy |
| environment, the larger community and individual | | | | and grateful.We will continue to ponder the natural |
| people. Individuals choosing to utilize the "Kalachakra", | | | | mysteries that are a part of our faith. And we will |
| to more fully understand the Buddhist path, may come | | | | continue to spread the teachings of the Buddha so |
| to realize the relationship between the natural | | | | Peace and Enlightenment will continue to spread |
| elements, the perception of self, and the human mind. | | | | throughout the land. It is with this sentiment that we will |
| This is a natural state of progression that involves a | | | | continue to light the lamp that shines so brightly upon |
| profound course on the development of the human | | | | the Buddhist path.Source:Illuminating the path to |
| mind and ultimately, and more importantly the human | | | | Enlightenment,Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness, The |
| soul.The third layer of meaning by comparison, also | | | | Fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet, Thubtin Dhargye Ling |
| known as the "other Kalachakra" represents the | | | | publications (2002).* The Mongolian terms for |
| teaching of the "Dharma". This layer represents the | | | | Kalachkra are Dukhuin Khor and |
| natural integration of ther inner and outer layer, which | | | | Morgoliin Khurd.Gerald Marchewka is an American |
| culminates in a realization of the teachings of the | | | | free lance writer currently living in Ulaanbaatar, |
| Buddha that are so beautifully illustrated within the | | | | Mongolia. |
| context of this sacred symbol. It no doubt represents | | | | |