Three-dimensional polychrome mandala in the form of golden architectural structure topped with stupa

Zhitro Mandala

Date
2000

Creator
Pema Namdol Thaye (American, b. 1967, Bhutan)

Material
gilt metal on wooden armature, polymeric resin compound (for minor decorative caste motifs such as animals, tassels, banners, and Buddhist emblems), semi-precious stone inlays, pearls, colored glass, and more

Dimensions
diameter: 10 ft. 10 in. (3.3 m), height: 65 in. (1.65 m)

Photo Credit
© Pema Namdol Thaye, photograph by Padma Studios

This mandala and the relevant teachings refer to a hundred peaceful (zhi) and wrathful (tro) divinities believed to be associated with the human body, and visualized in the Zhitro Dzogchen praxis as a mandala of these deities.

Object Essay