Microcosms of the universe

As you can see, the mandala has been completed. It's absolutely lovely but our view is obscured by the plexiglass that protects it. For some reason the lucite covering makes me think of Plato, probably not what the monks had in mind.



There is symbolism in what you see. The Golden Fish symbolize our ability to negotiate hardships. We have (we think) some goldfish still alive in our little pond. This is our little pond. In some places it is 3 feet deep so that the fish have a place to winter. In addition, the rocks that surround it are dry-stacked. That means they are not mortared in place. Consequently, it is very difficult to get in the pond and once in there, there is no secure footing. So you can begin to understand what a difficult hardship it is maintaining this pond.



Of course, the pond is full of muck this time of year. Bill thinks he will crawl into the pond to clean it out on Sunday--a double hardship in my mind--first, the water is still quite chilly (we had sleet and snow yesterday) and second, the water is disgustingly murky. For all I know, a miniature Lochness monster lurks beneath the water's surface.

However, I am diverted from a discussion of the mandala. To the right of the little goldfish above is the Vase of Treasure. This symbolizes the vast collection of wisdom that we have at our disposal as we confront the struggles of our daily lives. Now Bill owns a pair of "waders" which he could use to confront our yucky pond. Waders, for those of you who have never gone trout fishing, are those water-proof booties/pants held up by suspenders. Fishermen wear them so they don't get wet. Do you suppose he'll avail himself of this little treasure hanging up somewhere in our garage? The likely answer is "no." You see, he never wants his waders to get dirty. He's "saving them" for the trout-fishing he might do someday.

In the center is the Lotus Flower which commemorates our ability to transform difficult circumstances into beneficial results. Pond-cleaning is a difficult circumstance which is why I never do it. You see, I have attained a level of wisdom in such matters; in Western society it is called "delegation." The beneficial result, however, is that the pond will be clean and clear. This beneficial result will be the end-product of Bill's difficult, I daresay "slippery," circumstances.

Above the lotus and to the left in a rose-colored field is the Dharma Wheel which symbolizes the continual revelation of truth which allows us to experience daily the joy of compassion for living things. No doubt a clean pond will enable our little fish to experience more fully the joys of fish life. Actually, a clean pond will be a literal revelation of the fish themselves for we will finally be able to see them again.

To the right of the Dharma Wheel on the green field is the Right-coiled White Conch which urges us to work for our welfare and for that of others. It scares me to think what would happen if a Left-coiled White Conch should appear--probably some creature from a Stephen King movie would rise up from our pond below and wreck havoc with our lives.



So there you have it--a little more information on the magnificent mandala and too much information on the state of our pond. However, mandalas are intended to symbolize both the universe and our interaction with it, and who would argue that our pond, like a mandala, is not a microcosm for the universe.



All kidding aside, I am impressed by the subtle gradation of color and change in elevation achieved in this mandala. It really is quite beautiful. Hopefully, I will be able to say the same thing about our pond later this year.

(P.S. I found a fact sheet on mandalas in the Mullins Library, and I have been quite liberal in citing it.)