| In Mongolia as in other regions of Central Asia a | | | | the universe.In "the other Kalachakra", some have |
| diverse set of Buddhist traditions have been | | | | referred to this integrative process with its natural |
| cultivated by the Buddhist faithful. Among these | | | | ebb and flow, as the rhythm of time. This rhythmic |
| traditions, perhaps some of the most important | | | | flow as represented by the slow moving currents of |
| customs are those associated with Tibetan Tantric | | | | the wind and rain, in concert with the natural |
| Buddhism, and more specifically, a particular symbol | | | | movement of the varied elements of the universe, |
| known as the "Kalachakra, Wheel of Time". The | | | | could quite possibly, even be referred to as a sacred |
| "Kalachakra" "Wheel of Time" is a "Mandala"; a | | | | symhony of sound.Opportunities to Expand Human |
| Buddhist symbol that has a round, perfectly shaped | | | | ConsciousnessWhen we think of the "Kalachakra", |
| symmetrical form. It is divided into four separate | | | | "Wheel of Time", the great mystery of human life |
| sections; each of them contributing to a single unitary | | | | with all of its hidden secrets may upon further |
| shape.Recognized in many regions throughout much | | | | consideration become an active element in the |
| of the world today, the "Mandala", first appeared as | | | | consciousness of any cultivated mind. In the |
| a religious representation of Hindu, and afterward | | | | teachings of the Dalai Lama, the rituals associated |
| Buddhist conceptions of the cosmos. As a complex | | | | with the "Kalachakra" have become an important part |
| composite of both philosophical and religious belief, | | | | of his efforts to promote the realization of people |
| the "Mandala" is a representation of conceptions of | | | | who are seeking spiritual development across wide |
| the universe that have existed for millenia. Having | | | | regions of the Asian continent and throughout the |
| appeared in Sanskrit the classical script of India and | | | | world as a whole.In India, Tibet and Mongolia, for |
| incorporated into the teachings of Lord Buddha | | | | example, His Holiness has performed a number of |
| Shakyamuni, the lexis of the term provides an | | | | "Kalachakra" ceremonies as a rite of initiation to grant |
| opportunity for people to examine the realities of life | | | | permission to Buddhist practitioners to begin to |
| that transcend ordinary notions of time and | | | | practice the "Kalachakra Tantra". These rituals are |
| space.These notions, both time and space, as | | | | performed to provide blessings and good fortune to |
| esoteric as they may be, are in fact embedded in | | | | all of the people who inhabit the environment in which |
| the term "Mandala" as it contains two syllables, | | | | the sacred ceremony is performed. The practice of |
| "manda" meaning essence and "la" meaning container. | | | | the "Tantra", a word that may mean Hindu or |
| It is however true that the precise meaning of the | | | | Buddhist scripture", or in its more literal form, "stream |
| term may lie somewhere beyond mere literal | | | | of continuity" is a process whereby members of the |
| translations of the written word. English translations | | | | "Sangha" attempt to free people from human |
| of the term have in fact included such key phrases | | | | suffering as part of their ongoing quest for spiritual |
| as "Container of Essence" and perhaps more aptly, | | | | enlightenment.First performed by the Dalai Lama in |
| "Sphere of Essence". But it is arguable that neither | | | | the fifth decade of the twentieth century shortly |
| has captured the deep meaning of the | | | | after the Chinese occupation of Tibet, the |
| word.Understanding the Meaning in the WordWhen | | | | "Kalachakra" ritual has purportedly been cloaked in a |
| we reflect upon the meaning of the term, both literal | | | | number of misconceptions that have yet to be fully |
| and figurative, for many of us, it may certainly sound | | | | described. As a means to dispel any |
| quite mysterious. And for some people who have | | | | misunderstandings about the nature and significance |
| had no previous exposure to the word at all, a wide | | | | of the symbol or any rituals associated with its |
| range of images both good and bad could quite | | | | existence, His Holiness has performed a number of |
| possibly be called to mind. But for those willing to | | | | rituals often utilizing the legendary sand "Mandala".In |
| expend only a little bit of effort and consider the | | | | this sacred ritual monks participating in the ceremony |
| significance of the word itself, the term could quite | | | | construct as etheral "Kalachakra". It is made from |
| possibly, open up a whole new world just waiting to | | | | fine grains of sand. And after bearing witness to the |
| be explored.In an assessment of the meaning of the | | | | natural beauty of the symbol, and upon pondering |
| word and its relation to self exploration and the | | | | the profound nature of its design, the "Kalachakra" is |
| expansion of human consciousness, M. Gankhuyag, a | | | | subsequently crushed.The grains of sand from the |
| lama at Ulaanbaatar's Gandan monastery says "the | | | | "Kalachakra" are then shared among members of the |
| Kalachakra, Wheel of Time, a "Mandala", has long | | | | entire community in a ritual designed to reinforce the |
| been associated with the legendary land of Shambala. | | | | teachings of the Buddha and promote the health and |
| Often described as a mythical place in a region | | | | well being of the entire "Sangha". These rituals are |
| surrounded by majestic snow covered mountains, | | | | performed to promote feelings of happiness and |
| Shambala is a pure land: a place where sentient | | | | goodwill, and most importantly to promote |
| beings travel upon a beautiful path. It is a great road | | | | enlightenment for those seeking the Buddhist |
| to both peace and enlightenment".As a means to | | | | path.Implications for Human Thought and |
| facilitate this journey, the "Kalachakra", "Wheel of | | | | DevelopmentIn an exhortation of the merits of the |
| Time" has been utilized by Mongolian and Tibetan | | | | "Dharma" that are reflected in the Kalachakra |
| Buddhists to assist people to find their own unique | | | | ceremonies, the Dalai Lama has encouraged members |
| spiritual path. In a set of rituals, some of which were | | | | of the "Sangha" to embrace the opportunities that |
| purportedly performed by the Lord Buddha himself, | | | | surround them as life as we know it will sure come |
| Mongolian Buddhists continue to engage in a number | | | | to an end.According to His Holiness there are three |
| of activities that include chants, dance, and perhaps | | | | fundamental principles that can help people to |
| most interesting meditations upon fire.In these sacred | | | | exercise their opportunities as they exist here on |
| fire rituals, rarely known to individuals outside of | | | | earth. These include the realization of the |
| Mongolian and Tibetan circles, more than twenty | | | | opportunities our human existence affords us, an |
| types of material including flesh, butter, seeds, and | | | | appreciation of the rarity of these opportunities, and |
| wood are offered to venerable deities who exist | | | | a realization of the great significance of these |
| within the flames of a fire. The purpose of these | | | | opportunities.Once we have become inspired to |
| activities are not only to please the gods, they | | | | exercise such options we can then attempt to attain |
| increase the probability of a desirable rebirth and in | | | | the three primary objectives of the "Dharma". They |
| some cases even release the individual from the | | | | include the attainment of a higher rebirth, the |
| ceaseless cycle of painful human existence. This is of | | | | attainment of liberation from cyclic existence, and the |
| course a fundamental objective of the Buddhist faith | | | | attainment of full enlightenment.From a Buddhist |
| and all of its teachings.And while each of these rituals | | | | perspective it is possible to say that enlightenment |
| have been devised to bring people closer to a true | | | | often becomes possible possible only with a |
| state of enlightenment, the fire meditations provide | | | | fundamental transformation of the human mind. If |
| people with a unique opportunity to begin to | | | | we look to examples of enlightened people we find |
| understand key concepts at the heart of Buddhist | | | | that the cultivation of such a condition is often |
| thought. And while these ideas include a vast number | | | | contingent upon the realization that human existnce is |
| of concepts perhaps none of them are more | | | | dependent upon a number of conditions and entitities |
| important than the Buddhist principles of | | | | both organic and inorganic. Therefore as it is virtually |
| impermanence and emptiness.Both of these concepts | | | | impossible for an individual to exist as a discrete |
| timeless precepts which in many instances continue | | | | entity, the notion of an independent self is not a |
| to have a very important impact upon the | | | | reality but merely an illusion.As we begin to |
| psychology of people in the world's most populous | | | | acknowledge the implications of this reality |
| regions were no doubt, important elements in the | | | | enlightened individuals often begin to see the natural |
| consciousness of the Buddha. And they have | | | | unity of the universe. Religious piety is likely to |
| subsequently become an important part of the | | | | increase. And feelings of compassion, peace and |
| Buddhist fath. They are an integral part of the | | | | tolerance are likely to flow.Developing a New |
| "Dharma", the body of Buddhist thought, and the | | | | Mongolian PsychologyWhen we consider the collective |
| "Sangha", the entire Buddhist community.Pondering | | | | consciousness of the Mongolian people however we |
| the Word and ImageWhen we focus upon the | | | | must begin to come to terms with the violent assault |
| meaning of space and time and its relation to the | | | | upon Buddhist beliefs that occured during much of |
| "Mandala", we find that the concepts of | | | | the twentieth century.Begining shortly after the |
| impermanence and emptiness are well represented. | | | | People's Revolution, Soviet political repression had a |
| These concepts are not only included in the literal | | | | major affect upon the thought processes of the |
| meaning of the word. They are also manifest in the | | | | Mongolian people and continued for many decades. |
| physical representation of the image, especially the | | | | Yet the fate of Mongolian monks and members of |
| "Kalachakra", "Wheel of Time".And while the meaning | | | | the "Sangha" was by comparison even much |
| of the word, "Mandala", may provide individuals | | | | worse.Many monks perished and members of the |
| seeking spiritual guidance with an opportunity to begin | | | | Mongolian lamasery were left to cower in the corner. |
| to understand some of the finer points of Buddhist | | | | Nothing could have been more depressing.In more |
| thought, the physical representation of the image | | | | than a decade however, prospects for the Mongolian |
| provides a tangible concrete form, to provide | | | | "Sangha" have appeared much brighter. The Gandan |
| interested people with an opportunity to begin to | | | | Monastery has been resurrected. And large numbers |
| absorb a set of abstract ideas that could otherwise | | | | of people are free to worship in a climate that is |
| be quite difficult to comprehend.To illustrate this point | | | | almost completely open. The benefits of this |
| it can be said that the "Kalachakra" may be divided | | | | newfound freedom are quite obvious.If we consider |
| into three distinct layers of meaning. Each layer is | | | | the contemporary consciousness of the Mongolian |
| joined to form an integrated image that represents | | | | people we find that more and more people are |
| the relationship between all things, particularly the | | | | returning to their religious roots. Children are |
| relationship between the universe, the individual, and | | | | becoming more familiar with the "Dharma". And while |
| the mind.Unraveling an Ancient Multilayered LexisAs a | | | | their still may be a long way to go, a more natural |
| means to express the relationship between the | | | | form of selflessness consistent with the teachings of |
| universe, the individual and the mind, the outer layer | | | | the Buddha has come increasingly into play.A Modern |
| of a "Kalachakra" typically represents the whole | | | | Day Consciousness Based upon Buddhist |
| human environment complete with depictions of the | | | | ThoughtWhen we consider the developments in |
| natural elements the earth, wind, water and fire. And | | | | Buddhist thought during the last decade we can |
| it may even include a representation of Mount | | | | experience a new form of contentment that is |
| Meru.Mount Meru, a symbol in Tibetan mythology, is a | | | | strong and deep. As children become more familiar |
| place which represents the center of the universe, a | | | | with the "Dharma" our heritage and culture begins to |
| dwelling place of gods. It also represents the stillness | | | | bloom.Buddhist values like Peace, Compassion and |
| of the human mind; a symbol of self cultivation for | | | | Tolerance increasingly take root. The benefits of |
| those who have chosen the Buddhist path.The inner | | | | such a state of mind are completely clear.And as we |
| layer of the "Kalachakra", in contrast, represents the | | | | consider the prospects for the spread of our faith |
| existence of humans within their native surroundings. | | | | we should feel heartened. A new era is upon us. We |
| The integration of these two layers represents a | | | | should exercise the opportunities that now exist.We |
| natural reciprocity that exists beween both the | | | | feel fortunate. It is now once again a very good time |
| organic and inorganic elements in the environment, | | | | to be a Buddhist in Mongolia. For this we are happy |
| the larger community and individual people. Individuals | | | | and grateful.We will continue to ponder the natural |
| choosing to utilize the "Kalachakra", to more fully | | | | mysteries that are a part of our faith. And we will |
| understand the Buddhist path, may come to realize | | | | continue to spread the teachings of the Buddha so |
| the relationship between the natural elements, the | | | | Peace and Enlightenment will continue to spread |
| perception of self, and the human mind. This is a | | | | throughout the land. It is with this sentiment that we |
| natural state of progression that involves a profound | | | | will continue to light the lamp that shines so brightly |
| course on the development of the human mind and | | | | upon the Buddhist path.Source:Illuminating the path to |
| ultimately, and more importantly the human soul.The | | | | Enlightenment,Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness, The |
| third layer of meaning by comparison, also known as | | | | Fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet, Thubtin Dhargye Ling |
| the "other Kalachakra" represents the teaching of the | | | | publications (2002).* The Mongolian terms for |
| "Dharma". This layer represents the natural integration | | | | Kalachkra are Dukhuin Khor and |
| of ther inner and outer layer, which culminates in a | | | | Morgoliin Khurd.Gerald Marchewka is an American |
| realization of the teachings of the Buddha that are so | | | | free lance writer currently living in Ulaanbaatar, |
| beautifully illustrated within the context of this sacred | | | | Mongolia. |
| symbol. It no doubt represents the natural unity of | | | | |