MandalasarecomplexarrangementsofpatternsorpicturesusedinHinduandBuddhistTantrismtorepresentthecosmosandtogiveexpressiontotheinfinitepossibilitiesofthehumansubconscious.Believersrelyuponthispowerfulfigureasafocusofritualandasupportformeditations,usingittogainpossessionoftheenergiessignifiedbyitsimagesorsymbols.Thisintriguing,thought-provokingstudybyoneoftheworld’sleadingauthoritiesonthesubjectexaminesthebasicdoctrinebehindthetheoryandpracticeofthemandalainIndiaandTibet,bybothHindusandBuddhists.Individualchaptersconsiderthedoctrinalbasisofthemandala,itsvariousparts,liturgy,andrelationshiptothehumanbody.OfspecialinteresttostudentsofEasternphilosophyandart,thisstudywillalsofascinateNewAgersandanyoneinterestedinthesymbolsandpsychologyofAsiancultures.
