Mandalavidhi, Maṇḍalavidhi, Mandala-vidhi: 4 definitions

Introduction:

Mandalavidhi means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

[«previous next»] — Mandalavidhi in Pancaratra glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Pāñcarātra

Maṇḍalavidhi (मण्डलविधि) [=maṇḍalānāṃ vidhiḥ] refers to the sixth chapter of the Aniruddhasaṃhitā: an ancient Pāñcarātra Āgama scripture in thirty-four chapters dealing with the varieties of worships, administration of sciences, rājadharma, town planning, expiation, installation of images, the rules regarding the construction of images, etc.

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

Maṇḍalavidhi (मण्डलविधि) (lit. “concerning maṇḍala-motifs”) is the name of chapter 15 of the Viśvāmitrasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 2600 Sanskrit verses covering topics such as initiation (dīkṣā) and the construction, decoration and consecration of temples and icons, as well as routines of regular and special worship cycles.

Description of the chapter [maṇḍalavidhi]: Kāśyapa asks to know about the maṇḍala-motifs which have been referred to as a constituent part of worship-routines (1). Viśvāmitra commences his explanation by turning to directions for marking off with sticks a small mounded area on the ground. Cow-dung will then be spread over this foot-square area, whereupon one will proceed by the help of pegs-and-strings to draw there five circular designs. Each of these is to be understood to possess its various “courts” and “entrances” and there Vāsudeva, once His Presence has been invoked, may properly be worshipped (as in a temple) so that certain ends may be achieved. la the course of these descriptions various alternative designs are mentioned (although they are not always named), with instructions regarding how and with what to color and decorate them (2-74).

Pancaratra book cover
context information

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

Discover the meaning of mandalavidhi in the context of Pancaratra from relevant books on Exotic India

In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (TB)

Maṇḍalavidhi (मण्डलविधि) refers to “Tantric Buddhist manuals”.—As Sanderson demonstrates in “The Śaiva Age: The Rise and Dominance of Śaivism During the Early Medieval Period” (2009), Tantric Buddhism devised a number of ceremonies in the domain of public religion following the Śaiva models, such as consecration (pratiṣṭhā) and funeral rites (antyeṣṭi). Tantric Buddhist manuals called maṇḍalavidhis teach the details of these public social rituals. These manuals closely resemble the Śaiva Pratiṣṭhātantras and Paddhatis.

Tibetan Buddhism book cover
context information

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

Discover the meaning of mandalavidhi in the context of Tibetan Buddhism from relevant books on Exotic India

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Mandalavidhi in Sanskrit glossary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum

Maṇḍalavidhi (मण्डलविधि) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—mystic circles and accompanying prayers to ward off noxious creatures during meals. L. 4152.

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Discover the meaning of mandalavidhi in the context of Sanskrit from relevant books on Exotic India

See also (Relevant definitions)

Relevant text

Let's grow together!

I humbly request your help to keep doing what I do best: provide the world with unbiased sources, definitions and images. Your donation direclty influences the quality and quantity of knowledge, wisdom and spiritual insight the world is exposed to.

Let's make the world a better place together!

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: