What is a Mandala?

The word mandala is often translated simply as “circle”, but it actually derives from a combination of the Sanskrit manda or “essence” and la or “container”. A form of sacred geometry, such designs have long been used as a representation of the cosmos. Mandalas are also associated with recurring themes such as our spiritual journey, the cycle of birth and death, and the interconnectedness of all things. Image of Intangibility: A Synergy of Lao Tsu's Tao Te Ching and 108 Mandalas