In the higher tantras this is usually a diagram representing the details of the visualization of a deity and its palace and retinue. In the Kāraṇḍavyūha it is a simpler representation of a few deities, made of precious powders.

Apart from the well-known meaning of a magical diagram and several other conventional meanings, this term seems to denote any magically charged area or sphere of a specific type, such as, e.g., the maṇḍala of wind, the maṇḍala of sound, etc.

A mystic diagram, usually consisting of a square within a circle, used to define a sacred space in the context of esoteric rituals of initiation and consecration preliminary to certain advanced meditational practices.

The energy centers along the middle channel.

Also rendered in this sūtra as “disk.”

Literally a “disk” or “circle,” in the ritual context maṇḍala is a sacred space on the ground or a raised platform, arranged according to a pattern that varies from rite to rite.

Literally a “disk” or “circle,” in the ritual context maṇḍala is a sacred space on the ground or a raised platform, arranged according to a pattern that varies from rite to rite.

Literally a “disk” or “circle,” in the ritual context maṇḍala is a sacred space on the ground or a raised platform, arranged according to a pattern that varies from rite to rite.

Literally a “disk” or “circle,” in the ritual context a maṇḍala is a sacred space on the ground or a raised platform, arranged according to a pattern that varies from rite to rite.

A magical circle or sacred area; also a chapter or section of a book.

Literally a “disk” or “circle,” in the ritual context maṇḍala is a sacred space on the ground or a raised platform, arranged according to a pattern that varies from rite to rite.

A demarcated area within a larger boundary. An official act of the saṅgha requires (1) a quorum of all monks present within the monastery’s larger boundary, or (2) a quorum of monks within an “inner circle.”

A demarcated area within a larger boundary. An official act of the saṅgha requires a “consensus” of all monks present within the monastery’s boundaries or of a quorum of monks within an “inner circle.”

Also rendered in this sūtra as “maṇḍala.”