Jonang Mandalas

A Sky full of Blessings of Buddhist Mandalas in the Kalachakra Temple

Jonang Mandala Project

We are extremely fortunate to showcase these mandalas in the Kalachakra Temple. The Mandalas come from Dzamthang Monastery, the seat of the Jonang lineage in Tibet. This the first place in the world outside of Tibet to showcase so many of the lineage mandalas. They includes the major highest yoga tantras and 4 variations of the Kalachakra Mandala. Some people may believe they are secret and not appropriate to show the mandalas everywhere anytime. However, at this time and in this era it’s time to educate people and make connections. From the 4 faces of the Kalachakra all tantra was taught.  It says in the Kalachakra tantra, that by seeing the Mandala beings do not need to be reborn in the lower realms again. So just seeing these Mandalas will be an incredible blessing that leads to liberation. 

Origin of the Mandalas

These 20 mandalas come form a collection of 68 Mandalas from the Jonang lineage teachings on the Ocean of Tantras, Gyu De Gyatso (rgyud sde rgya mtsho). The Mandalas are from Tashi Chöthang near Dzamthang. This is an important monastery for our lineage and Rinpoche’s root Guru Lama Lobsang Trinle.  Khentrul Rinpoche wanted to highlight that the Jonang lineage holds more tantras then Kalachakra, containing oceans of wisdom in the lineage.

Details of the Mandalas

Many people believe that the Jonang Lineage just holds the Kalachakra teachings. While they focus on Kalachakra and are the only lineage to hold the completion stage practices, they also hold many other forms of Tantra. Connect with and learn about Buddhas, Deities and Bodhisattvas

Mahasamvara Kalachakra

This is a less common mandala of Kalachakra with a single story palace and 16 charnel grounds. As described by Taranatha, Mahasamvara Kalachakra stands in yab-yum with his consort on a multicolored lotus, adorned with sun, moon, rahu, and kalagni disks. The sixteen petals of the central lotus unfold into an infinite universe. This mandala invites us to transform ourselves through the purification of the 6 chakras.

Kalachakra

The Kalachakra Mandala shows the external universe, our internal universe, and the enlightened reality in a single image. The mandala reflects the entire path to enlightenment, from where we are at now to the state of a Buddha. Through the teachings of the Kalachakra we can not only transform ourselves but through this transform our world to a Golden Age of peace and harmony.

Chakrasamvara

Chakrasamvara (Wheel of Great Bliss) stands with his consort Vajravarahi in the center of a palace of concentric levels with four gates. Rings of lotus petals and flames purify the enclosed space. Practitioners can use their attachment, passion and greed fused with bliss as a path for liberation.

Amitayus

Surpassing death, Amitayus shows us a way to the source of his boundless life. Amitayus is revered in many popular practices, and countless beings aspire to rebirth in his Pure Land of Bliss. In the mandala, a representation of the subtle mind of the Buddha is ringed by eight manifestations.

Guyhasamaja Manjuvajra

Representing the secret union of wisdom and compassion leading to awakening, the Guhyasamaja Manjuvajra mandala centers on a specialized form of Manjushri. Ringed by nineteen deities and bearing all the marks of a Buddha, Manjuvajra traditionally embraces his consort Svabhaprajna and holds a sword to remove ignorance along with a bow, arrow, and flower.

Shakyamuni

The Buddha was born in this world and attained complete, perfect enlightenment to liberate countless sentient beings from suffering. Victorious over everything, he taught all the sutras and tantras, established the Sangha, and gave an endless variety of antidotes to our problems. When the Buddha taught the Heart Sutra, he also appeared as Kalachakra to King Suchandra of Shambhala and his retinue.

Hevajra

Appearing like a jeweled ornament, Shri Hevajra is traditionally shown in union with his consort Vajranairatmya (“Selfless One“) in the center of a palace representing the nature of our world. Within its four gates, a multicolored lotus unfolds. This mandala represents enlightened action to inspire us to progress along the bodhisattva path by showing its ultimate result.

Yamantaka

As the Destroyer of Death, Yamantaka is also known as Vajrabhairava. Often shown with a head like that of a water buffalo, Yamantaka is surrounded by a wheel of sharp weapons to cut the root of self-cherishing and pacify all obstructions. Yamantaka practice can powerfully overcome karmic obstacles, especially the violence of fear, anger, and hatred.

Manjushri Namasamgiti

The Expression of Manjushri’s Absolute Names represents the pinnacle of the Buddha’s teachings. The Buddha taught this tantra to Vajrapani. When one recites the names of Manjushri, it creates conditions for wisdom to arise in the mindstream. Reflecting on this mandala, we can understand the wisdom of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas which remains steadfast because the Tathagata is beyond conception.

Samaya Tara Yogini

Tara is known as the mother of liberation, whose great compassion brings swift blessings. Although she has many forms, the Samaya Yogini form is commonly shown to express her role as a goddess embodying the feminine principle in the universe and in each person. Capable of being both ferocious and playful, she is said to delight in an open mind and a receptive heart.

vajra yogini

Traditionally shown as a solitary figure in a fierce, blood-red form, surrounded by flames of pristine wisdom, Vajrayogini, the sarvabuddhadakini, is the dakini who is the essence of all the Buddhas. This mandala represents life and jumping into the inner fire of spiritual transformation through the aspiration for enlightenment.

Vajrakila

The wrathful form of Vajrakila cuts through ignorance like a flash of lightning on a dark night. Beautiful and terrifying, Vajrakila is shown on a multicolored lotus seat with his consort Diptachakra (Flaming Wheel) in a pure fire of subtle mind. As a wrathful aspect of Vajrasattva, Vajrakila embodies the enlightened activity of all Buddhas.

21 Taras

Practices for the 21 Taras are upheld in all the traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. We can connect and invite the qualities of each of these 21 emanations through the recitation of their associated mantras. Together, they provide a full array of excellent qualities to help us quickly overcome any obstacle on our path.

Chakrasamvara

Chakrasamvara (Wheel of Great Bliss) stands with his consort Vajravarahi in the center of a palace of concentric levels with four gates. Rings of lotus petals and flames purify the enclosed space. Practitioners can use their attachment, passion and greed fused with bliss as a path for liberation.

Vajrapani

As Avalokiteshvara embodies the compassion of all the Buddhas and Manjushri their wisdom, Vajrapani manifests their power. Connecting with this mandala can inspire us to be fearless, courageous and powerful on the Bodhisattva path to help all sentient beings find happiness and enlightenment.

Mahakala

Also known as the Great Black, is the protector of the Dharma and helps practitioners overcome the negative obstacles blocking them from the true Dharma. The Mahakala Mandala displays the fire at the end of the universe to show destruction. In contrast, its fearsome appearance suggests the natural state that remains after everything false disappears.

Hayagriva

The fierce roar of Hayagriva demonstrates how sounds appear actively as empty forms in an unwavering expanse. He is displayed as an unchallengeable appearance with a horse’s head as a wrathful aspect of Amitabha and a manifestation of Avalokiteshvara expressing the nature of enlightened speech.

Kalachakra

The Kalachakra Mandala shows the external universe, our internal universe, and the enlightened reality in a single image. The mandala reflects the entire path to enlightenment, from where we are at now to the state of a Buddha. Through the teachings of the Kalachakra we can not only transform ourselves but through this transform our world to a Golden Age of peace and harmony.

Akshobhya Mandala

The Buddha Akshobhya is symbolized by a vajra on a multicolored lotus seat, surrounded by eight auspicious symbols, including a dharma conch, two fish, and an endless knot, followed by a dharma wheel, lotus, victory banner, parasol, and treasure vase. As a bodhisattva, Akshobhya vowed never to get angry at any living being until he reached enlightenment. As a Buddha, his name means „Immovable.“

Kalachakra

The Kalachakra Mandala shows the external universe, our internal universe, and the enlightened reality in a single image. The mandala reflects the entire path to enlightenment, from where we are at now to the state of a Buddha. Through the teachings of the Kalachakra we can not only transform ourselves but through this transform our world to a Golden Age of peace and harmony.

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