Antique thangka "Mandala." Cotton fabric, canvas, silk, gold thread embroidery. Tibet, 20th century.A mandala (thangka) is a religious image in Buddhism, a painting on fabric, framed in silk, and designed to be portable. Thangkas can be rolled, allowing for easy transport between monasteries, temples, and homes. They often depict Buddhas, bodhisattvas, guardian deities, and teachers serving as teachers and mentors during meditation.A mandala is a perfect representation of the universe, inscribed in geometry, a kind of window onto the cosmos. Through symbols (the universe), the meditator understands themselves. The mandala contains layers of meaning: the outer rings are protective barriers between the mundane and sacred spaces; then comes the ring of flame, a symbol of wisdom that burns away ignorance; the ring of the vajra (diamond scepter), the personification of indestructible power; the ring of the lotus, a symbol of purity; and a square palace with four T-shaped gates facing the cardinal directions. Each gate is guarded by formidable deities protecting the sacred realm. Next comes the central deity, often with his consort, a symbol of wisdom and compassion; the surrounding figures—deities, bodhisattvas, and wrathful protectors—populate the mandala, strengthening its cosmic order from within.