2024 ANGO

ZLMC 2024 ANGO | SEPT 1–DEC 7

COMMITMENT IS OUR COMPASS

FIVE WISDOM MANDALA

FIVE WISDOM PERSONAL PRACTICE MANDALA

The personal practice mandala is based on the teachings of the five wisdom energies of the Buddha Families. The mandala that graphically depicts them, represents the wholeness of life.

The five aspects of the Mandala are as follows:

BUDDHA is evoked in the Gate of Sweet Nectar when we chant “Being one with all Buddhas in the formless spheres, bodies overflow with boundless Dharma and our life is fullfilled.”

  • The Buddha Sphere transforms ignorance into wisdom. It’s external form is meditation/contemplation. It arises through the practice of the three tenets of not-knowing, bearing witness to uncertainty and opening to what is possible when we are present to each moment of our lives. It’s wisdom is all-encompassing because it accommodates all the other energies of the mandala with tolerance, patience, and spaciousness.

VAJRA is evoked in the Gate of Sweet Nectar when we chant “Being one with all Buddhas in the Study Sphere, throats are opened and eatig and drinkig fully satisfy.”

  • The Vajra Sphere transforms anger into clarity. It’s external form is study. It arises through the practice of precision and being on the spot through cutting wisdom. It’s wisdom is mirror-like because it accurately reflects what is here with great clarity.

RATNA is evoked in the Gate of Sweet Nectar when we chant “Being one with all Buddhas in the livelihood spheres, extending generosity, perfection of body and mind appears.”

  • The Ratna Sphere transforms pride into equanimity. It’s external form has to do with livelihood and making a living. It arises through the practice of grounded, confidence, and enrichment of life. It’s wisdom is equanimity because it is large, abundant, and generous.

PADMA is evoked in the Gate of Sweet Nectar when we chant “Being one with all Buddhas in the unifying sphere, integrating all families, wealth and wisdom are in abundance.”

  • The Padma Sphere transforms passion into discernment. It’s external form is relationships. It arises through the practice of magnetizing and connecting with others. It connects with intimacy and authenticity. It has juice, energy, creativity and joy.

KARMA is evoked in the Gate of Sweet Nectar when we chant “Being one with all Buddhas in the service sphere, all sufferings of the hungry spirit are healed.”

  • The Karma Sphere transforms jealousy into effective action. It’s external form is social action. It arises as an efficient energy that organizes. It’s practice is in the doing, in the action itself. It’s wisdom is all accomplishing because it gets things done effortlessly with skillfullness and efficiency.