Author affiliation: Department of Asian Languages and Cultures, The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
摘要
In recent decades, Buddhist maṇḍalas have become increasingly popular. The creation of the Kālacakra (‘Wheel of Time’) maṇḍala from coloured grains of sand by Tibetan monks can be seen in museums around the world. Maṇḍala colouring books, part of the recent adult colouring book trend, are on display in many bookstores. Maṇḍalas are now perceived as ‘aids’ or ‘tools to meditation’ and designated as ‘meditation diagrams’ and ‘meditational art’. In this paper, I will discuss modern applications of (Buddhist) maṇḍalas in meditation practice. I will also highlight some aspects that set this modern usage apart from traditional functions of maṇḍalas in Buddhist tantric ritual.
目次
Historical overview 263 Modern developments 265 On the modern practice of maṇḍala meditation 267 The slow and attentive process of drawing, painting or creating a maṇḍala 267 The colouring of a maṇḍala template 267 The focusing and resting of one’s gaze upon a maṇḍala 268 On the beneficial effects of maṇḍala meditation 269 On the beneficial effects in general 269 On the beneficial effects of colouring maṇḍala 269 On resulting trance-like meditative states 270 On possible contraindications 271 Concluding remarks 272 Notes 273 References 274
