mandala
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man·da·la
(mŭn′də-lə)n.
Any of various ritualistic geometric designs symbolic of the universe, used in Hinduism and Buddhism as an aid to meditation.
[Sanskrit maṇḍalam, circle.]
man·dal′ic (mŭn-dăl′ĭk) adj.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
mandala
(ˈmændələ; mænˈdɑːlə)n
1. (Hinduism) Hindu & Buddhist art any of various designs symbolizing the universe, usually circular
2. (Buddhism) Hindu & Buddhist art any of various designs symbolizing the universe, usually circular
3. (Psychology) psychol such a symbol expressing a person's striving for unity of the self
[Sanskrit: circle]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
man•da•la
(ˈmʌn dl ə)n., pl. -las.
1. a schematized representation of the cosmos in Hindu and Buddhist iconography, usu. a concentric configuration of geometric shapes each of which contains an image or attribute of a deity.
2. (in Jungian psychology) a symbol representing the effort to reunify the self.
[1855–60; < Skt maṇḍala circle]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
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| Noun | 1. |  mandala - any of various geometric designs (usually circular) symbolizing the universe; used chiefly in Hinduism and Buddhism as an aid to meditationHindooism, Hinduism - a body of religious and philosophical beliefs and cultural practices native to India and based on a caste system; it is characterized by a belief in reincarnation, by a belief in a supreme being of many forms and natures, by the view that opposing theories are aspects of one eternal truth, and by a desire for liberation from earthly evils Buddhism - the teaching of Buddha that life is permeated with suffering caused by desire, that suffering ceases when desire ceases, and that enlightenment obtained through right conduct and wisdom and meditation releases one from desire and suffering and rebirth |
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mandala