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