How to know if a mandala practice is aligned with Theravada?
The mandala was originally designed by Mahayana tantric Buddhists. It was adopted by the Chinese who infused Taoist feng-shui & folk elements into the design. As a result, a particular mandala design & practice can carry beliefs that are not aligned with Theravada. If one wants to follow the Theravada path, it would be good to be reminded of the following points:
- In Theravada, there is no belief in the Amitabha Buddha, the 5 Celestial Buddhas & other trans-historical Buddhas, celestial bodhisattvas, taras, or wisdom daikinis.
- There is no belief in secret, higher and esoteric teachings reserved for Mahayana because the Buddha was said to have taught openly & freely.
- In Theravada, there is no guruship. One is always free to seek out other teachers.
- Although usually done in the context of a community, meditation following the Theravada tradition has always been a self-help training program. Asking for divine or supernatural help to get liberated is not in alignment with the Theravada tradition of meditation.
- Some Buddhists including Theravadins resort to amulets, fortune-telling, palmistry, reading signs & omens, & other things the Buddha called “animal arts.”
Among several mandalas available, there is one in particular that may have a basis in Theravada teachings and this is the Mandala of the Four Great Heavenly Kings. In traditional Theravada, these deva kings are invoked by chanting a paritta without need for a mandala. However, as long as one remembers the points listed above, it is possible to adopt this mandala so that it does not conflict with the early teachings of the Buddha Gotama.