A stupa is always symmetrical - it can be seen as a mandala form

	M A N D A L A >
	COSMIC	BOROBUDUR		CIRCLES

G E O M E T R I C F O R M S

CENTRED:

The word ‘mandala’ literally means circle or centre. It is basically a form or object created from a series of geometric forms that share the same centre. While a variety of forms can be found a basic mandala is no more than a circle inside a square. Looking at a stupa side on – and this is how we usually see them – the intelrocking components and ‘rootedness’ can be seen; with the sphere half buried in the cube which is itself buried in the earth. The cone shares the same vertical axis and theoretical base.

The shared centre is more obvious from an aerial view.

A circle is a symbol of the heavens while a square is symbolic of the earth, and of the ‘man-made’ world. This is examined in more detail on pages 24 – 31.

The circle – heaven – is contained within the square – earth. The Buddhist principle of enlightenment can be considered, symbolically, as the pure centre of this circle. It is in fact beyond ‘heaven’. It is not ‘up there’ or somewhere else but right here, at this point in time, within this present moment. It is at this time, in this place, that the freedom of enlightenment is to be known. Within the experience of life in this world, on this earth, the necessary movement to realise this is from being ego-centred to just-being centred.

SAME & DIFFERENT

Everything has a beginning – both in time and in space. This beginning is the ‘starting point’, and from one point, before the next beginning, all is unknown, everything is possible. We create symmetrical patterns and expect repetition but within the mandala are both difference and sameness, movement and stillness. Each point is both the beginning and the end.

The mandala is to be experinced from the precise centre, a pure point beyond space and time. This point is the present moment, infinite and eternal.

The stupa is designed to draw the mind in from the general surroundings to the base, toward the centre of the dome and then lead one’s gaze upwards to the apex, to the point. This is the development of two spiritual activities;
••concentration (through being focussed),
••insight (by investigation and reflection on the process).
These two qualities are developed in the practice of meditation and contemplation – aspiring to the letting go and trancendence of worldly concepts and all views of one’s self.