Name: __________________________

Subject: Mandala

Teacher Name: Lynda Swenk

Date: ___________________

Introduction:

Buddhist Mandalas are inspired by the meditative experience resulting in a sense of wholeness, unity of spirit and form. Mandalas are often kaleidoscopic images, often concentric in composition showing layers of consciousness.  

Task:

You will be creating personal mandalas which express your consciousness of communion with the world, of your awakening to your interconnectedness with nature, things and events. You will write an accompanying written work about yourself. 

Process:

"The creative process begins with coming to your senses and facing a blank piece of paper, an empty stage or an idle instrument. Out of that space inspiration can take form and build to a completed work, and yet can glimpse the creative process and what inspired it." (Adapted from the Shambhala Center.)

You will research in small groups an animal, color, plant, number, shape, gem or mineral, and element (earth, wind, fire, water) with which you identify. You will complete several  preliminary paintings which you will later use as references to complete a personal mandala. 

After creating the mandalas, sharing in small groups, you will answer the question: What does this art work tell me about myself?  You will write about your interconnectedness with the world around you. You may reference some of the images you chose to be part of your mandala. You may choose your style of writing: short story, poem or essay.

Resources:

Websites explaining symbolism of images and colors in Buddhist art along with examples of mandalas are listed below. Websites to research, animals, plants, color, numbers, shapes, gems, minerals and elements are also included.

Description of Buddhist Art; Color in Buddhist Art; The Development and Symbolism of Tibetan Buddhist Art; Buddhist Mandalas, Animals, Plants, Color Matters,  Color Factoids, Color and Personality, Rainbow Body, Gems, Minerals and Rocks, Four Elements, Fire, Wind, Water, Earth, Shapes, Numbers.

Evaluation:

Students will evaluate their art work on the two rubric-based artifacts listed here. 

 EVALUATION

Name of Project_______________________           Name of Artist_____________________________

Conclusion:

You will understand how mandalas function in Buddhism. You will learn about some animals, plants, numbers, shapes, gems, minerals and elements. You will discover more about who you are in relationship to the world around you.  You will communicate who you are in writing and in imagery.