Offering the Mandala
Mandala means to take the essence. Although this is a simple practice, it is an effective means of accumulating merit.
It is offered to the object of refuge which is free from all impurity and attachment; therefore, the practice is for our own benefit.
Description
The Mandala base should be a round plate about six inches in diameter; if possible, this should be of a precious substance such as silver, but even a stone or wooden surface is adequate.
Whatever the material is, it should be visualised as a golden ground, the symbol of the Buddha-nature in us.
The offering substance can be cleaned grains such as wheat or rice. One can also add precious stones, rings and so forth.
To begin place a few grains in the left hand and hold the base before yourself at the heart level. With your right hand drop some grain on the centre of the base and, while reciting the verses of refuge and generating Bodhicitta, wipe off the grain in a clockwise direction three times or more with the right forearm. This signifies the elimination of the three poisons of ignorance, anger and attachment which obscure our Buddha-nature. It is done with the right forearm because along it runs the nerve of wisdom.
Now drop some grain on the centre of the base and polish three times in an anticlockwise direction. This symbolises our wish to attain the qualities of body, speech, and mind of the Buddha.
Then, drop the remaining grain in the hand on to the centre of the base and, taking a fresh handful, sprinkle a fence around the edge of the base in a clockwise direction.
Next, form a small heap at the centre with one handful of grain, to symbolise Mount Meru; around it are the four continents at each of the cardinal points. Two more heaps on either side of the central one symbolise the sun and the moon.
When this has been done, all the preciousness and beauty of the universe is offered, while reciting the following verses:
“By the virtue of offering to this assembly of Buddhas visualised before me, this Mandala, built on a base resplendent with flowers, incense, saffron water, and adorned with Mount Meru, the four continents, the sun and the moon, may all sentient beings share in its good effects”.
When the offering has been made, tip the Mandala towards yourself and, as the grain falls onto your lap, visualise that you are receiving the blessings of the object of refuge. Although it may seem absurd to attempt to offer the whole universe, by cultivating a mental attitude which predisposes one to offer everything, great results are achieved.
Once a king made a great offering to the Buddha and the Sangha. A beggar, seeing this offering, rejoiced at the king’s action. The enlightened one declared that the merit accumulated by that beggar in rejoicing was greater than that of the king, since the value of no material gift can equal the power of a pure mental offering.
The Six Perfections and the Mandala Offering
The practice of the six perfections is also contained in the Mandala offering.
(a) To clean the base regularly with a mixture made of saffron and water is the training in the perfection of generosity, for water symbolises prosperity and plenty.
(b) To look after the base and keep it clean is training in the perfection of moral discipline which is the foundation for this and all practices.
(c) To carefully remove insects and worms from the grain before beginning the offering is training in the perfection of patience.
(d) To offer the Mandala with energy and joy is training in the perfection of enthusiastic effort.
(e) To offer the Mandala with a concentrated mind is training in the perfection of meditation.
(f) To offer it with right understanding of the voidness is training in the perfection of wisdom.
There are four levels of Mandala offering: outer, inner, secret, and absolute. In the Preliminary Practices described here we are concerned with the outer offering which should be performed one hundred thousand times. The whole meaning of the Dharma, from the beginning of our practice until the attainment of enlightenment, is contained within this practice. Offering the Mandala is of great benefit to both the initiated or uninitiated.
by 