Buddhism Project - Mandala
The Indian word "mandala" means a circle. Buddhists all over East Asia made mandalas as a kind of meditation, to give themselves time to think about creating order and harmony in the world. A mandala is about symmetry, balance, and calm. In Tibet, people often make mandalas out of colored sand. These designs are beautiful, but they only last one day and then people sweep them up.
An Earth Day mandala that kids made in Australia
You can make a mandala out of colored sand, or by drawing in the sand at the beach, or with a pencil or colored markers on a piece of paper. You can make your mandala alone, or as part of a group, each making their own piece of the mandala and learning to work cooperatively.
What will be at the center of your mandala? What kinds of things will go around the outside? How many rings will your mandala have?
Also check out this project to make a gold Buddha statue.
To find out more about Buddhism, check out these books from Amazon or from your local library:
Why did people want to punch Socrates?
Where did Egyptians bury your liver?
How old are the Rocky Mountains?
What does a half-timbered house look like?
How do you spin wool?
(a project)
Buddhism in China
Buddhism in India
Bodhisatvas
Main Chinese religion page
Kidipede home page
