January 21 - April 15, 2012

Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning “circle.”  The mandala, one of Himalayan Buddhism's most ubiquitous symbols, is created as an artistic aid for meditation. Depicting a realm that is both complex and sacred, the mandala is a visualization tool meant to advance practitioners toward a state of enlightenment. The exhibition explores the various manifestations of these objects, simultaneously explaining their symbolism, describing how they fulfill their intended function, and demonstrating their correlation to our physical reality.

The exhibition displays different types of mandalas, including paintings, three-dimensional works, portable mandalas, and ritual objects that are related to mandala ceremonies.

While many of the works in the exhibition are from the collection of the Rubin Museum of Art in New York, the show also includes masterpieces from other museums and private collections from around the world, including the Kimbell Art Museum, the American Museum of Natural History, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Ethnographic Museum of the University of Zurich, and the Gyuto Monastery in Dharamsala, India.

Community outreach and educational programs will celebrate the rich religious and artistic tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and the spiritual significance of the mandala.

Mandala: Sacred Circle in Tibetan Buddhism was organized by the Rubin Museum of Art, New York. The Carlos Museum gratefully acknowledges the support of The Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation, The Emory Tibet Partnership, and the Drepung Loseling Monastery, Inc.

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Membership benefits include free admission to exhibitions, complimentary use of audio guides, and free or discounted admission to Museum-sponsored lectures, films, and workshops. Join today!

A MASTERPIECE IN MINUTES | CREATION OF A SAND MANDALA | CNN-Belief Blog
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FREE AFTERNOONS:
Friday, February 3rd -- 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday, March 9th -- 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 11th -- 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Thanks to our community media sponsor:

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Amoghapāśa Five-deity Mandala
Nepal; 16th century
Pigments on cloth
Rubin Museum of Art