Womb Realm Mandala

E389563

The Womb Realm Mandala is a central esoteric diagram in Shingon Buddhism that symbolically depicts the compassionate, nurturing aspect of the cosmos centered on the Buddha Mahavairocana and numerous enlightened beings.

All labels observed (8)

How this entity was disambiguated

Statements (47)

Predicate Object
instanceOf Buddhist mandala
esoteric diagram
religious icon
associatedSchool Shingon Buddhism
surface form: Shingon school
associatedWith Kukai
centralFigure Mahavairocana
contains Buddhas
bodhisattvas
deities of various directions
numerous enlightened beings
cosmologicalAspect compassionate aspect of the cosmos
nurturing aspect of the cosmos
cosmologicalRole representation of the Buddha’s body of compassion
representation of the Dharmadhatu
depicts Mahavairocana
developedIn Tang dynasty
surface form: Tang dynasty China
displayedAt Shingon temple main halls
function aid to visualization in meditation
didactic diagram of the enlightened cosmos
ritual focus in esoteric ceremonies
introducedToJapanBy Kukai
JapaneseName Taizōkai Mandara
medium hanging scrolls
painted panels
temple murals
originatesFrom Esoteric Buddhist traditions of India
pairedWith Diamond Realm Mandala
partOf Womb Realm Mandala self-linksurface differs
surface form: Two Realms Mandala
relatedConcept Diamond Realm Mandala’s wisdom aspect
religiousTradition Buddhism
Vajrayana
surface form: Esoteric Buddhism

Japanese Buddhism
Shingon Buddhism
SanskritName Garbhadhatu Mandala
surface form: Garbhakoṣa-dhātu Maṇḍala
symbolizes Buddha’s compassionate activity
matrix of enlightenment
womb of great compassion
theme compassion
interconnectedness of all beings
nurturing
transmittedTo Japan
usedIn Shingon initiation rituals
abhisheka (esoteric consecration)
esoteric meditation practices
viewedAs embodiment of the Buddha’s compassionate mind
visualStructure concentric arrangement of deities
multiple courts or enclosures

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (12)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Shingon Buddhism mandala Womb Realm Mandala
Uisang notableWork Womb Realm Mandala
this entity surface form: Diagram of the Dharmadhatu (Hwaeom ilsŭng pŏpkyedo)
Chinese Esoteric Buddhism cosmology Womb Realm Mandala
this entity surface form: Two Realms Mandala system
Chinese Esoteric Buddhism cosmology Womb Realm Mandala
Mahavairocana centerOf Womb Realm Mandala
Mahavairocana centerOf Womb Realm Mandala
this entity surface form: Garbhakosha Mandala
Mahavairocana Tantra contains Womb Realm Mandala
this entity surface form: Garbhakosha (Womb Realm) mandala system
Vajrasekhara Sutra formsPartOf Womb Realm Mandala
this entity surface form: Two Realms Mandala system
Vajrasekhara Sutra influenced Womb Realm Mandala
this entity surface form: Two Realms Mandala iconography
Womb Realm Mandala partOf Womb Realm Mandala self-linksurface differs
this entity surface form: Two Realms Mandala
Diamond Realm Mandala pairedWith Womb Realm Mandala
Diamond Realm Mandala contrastedWith Womb Realm Mandala
this entity surface form: Womb Realm Mandala as compassion aspect