Sand Mandala- Amitayus Mandala, the Buddha of Boundless Life-Days 4&5
photos Christina Jarmolinski
I have been watching the development of the Sand Mandala since day 1. It is amazing how precise and articulate each grain of sand is placed forming the Amitayus Mandala.
The Tibetan Monks, sent by his Holiness the Dalai Lama, concentrated and meditated into the Mandala. I can feel the depth of this process.
Amitāyus means "Infinite Life", or immortality.
It was a very spiritual experience. I enjoyed the few friendly words spoken with the monks. The Tibetan Monks are mostly living in Karnataka, India at the present.
On the last day and the of the Closing and Dispersal Ceremonies, crowds had gathered to view the completion of the Sand Mandala. The atmosphere was serene and emotional, seeing all the glory of the beautiful Amitayus Mandala being swept together in one big pile of grey colored sand. The monks chanted the Mantra and we all realized the deep power of the words, although not verbally understood.
The powerful voices of the Tibetan Monks accentuated then by the drum and the long horns enhanced the moment.
Later little bags of the anointed sand were offered to the public. I will cherish mine and the memories of this week.
Then the sand was driven to the Wicomico River at a designated spot in the city park of Salisbury and poured into the river.
The ceremony was completed.
The End
Boundless Life, the principal guide of this world, the one who saves all sentient beings from untimely death, refuge for helpless suffering beings: I prostrate to Buddha Amitayus.
OM A MA RA NI DZI WAN TI YE SOHA
By this virtue, may I swiftly attain Buddha Amitayus’ state. May all sentient beings without exception, attain this state.
http://www.tibetanbuddhistmantras.com/diety_pages/amitayus_main.html
mitābha is the Buddha of the Western quarter. His name means "infinite light" - amita (unmeasured, boundless, infinite) + ābha (splendour, light; colour, appearance, beauty - related to bha : light, lustre, splendour; a name for the planet Venus.).
He is usually depicted as a bhikṣu with his hands in the dhyana mudra. He is deep red in colour. Another form common in the Western Buddhist Order shows him with his right hand holding up a full red lotus, while his left hand remains in his lap.
Amitābha dwells in his pureland called Sukhāvatī - the happy realm.which is described in the Sukhāvatīvyūha sūtras (large and small). Amitābha is closely related to Amitāyus - infinite life - who is sometimes described as his "reflex". A mantra for Amitāyus is included below. A visualisation meditation on Amitāyus is described in the Amitāyurdhyāna Sūtra. These Three sūtras are collectively described as the "Pureland Scriptures" and belong to the earliest strata of Mahāyāna texts.
Amitābha's special quality is Compassion, which is balanced in the Mandala of the Jinas by Akṣobhya the Buddha of Wisdom. Amitābha is the head of the Padma, or Lotus family.
http://www.visiblemantra.org/amitabha.html
