Worksheet 1B

Do You See What I See?

Project Instructions

Directions:

1) Your assigned Buddhist art form is mandalas.

2) Visit the websites from the resource list below to find examples and
descriptions of Buddhist sculpture. Start with the websites that give
general information on symbolism in Buddhist art, then find examples of
the art form.
3) Based on your observations and reading, answer the questions on
Worksheet 2A.
4) Prepare a PowerPoint presentation containing the following components:

3 or more images of the examples of the art form

2 –3 text slides containing facts about the art form and the symbolism used. Use
your research sheet as a guide for which facts you would select.

5) Present your slide show to the class.

6) Small group discussion: observations about Buddhist art and use of
symbolism.
 Worksheet 2B

Do You See What I See?

Research Sheet

Part 1:
Answer the following questions:

1. What is a mandala? What are the different ways that mandalas are used?
2. What is the The Kalachakra Mandala and what does its creation
symbolize? What does its destruction symbolize?
3. What are the Eight Auspicious Symbols?
4. How are colors used symbolically in mandalas?
5. What other examples of symbolism might be found in mandalas?

Part 2: Translating the Images

Once you have a basic guide of the symbols, you will need to find three
or more images of the Buddhist Mandalas.

For each image, answer the following questions:

1) Where (and when) did this mandala originate?

2) What materials are used in the construction of the mandala?
3) Using the symbols you found in Part 1, what story does this
mandala tell the viewer?

Part 3: Power Point

Since you will show the class what you have found about symbolism in
Buddhist art, you will need to create a slide show of images and
explanations.

Your presentation should have at least 3 images of mandalas as well

as slides to explain the symbolism of each. Consider using Autoshape
arrows and textboxes to insert commentary about the different
features of the Buddhist statues.
 Worksheet 3B
Do You See What I See?
Buddhist Sculpture Hotlist

Use the following websites as the basis of your research.

Symbolism in Buddhist Art

 About.com
This website provides a glossary of Buddhist art related terms and brief explanations of
the symbolisms

Buddha Net
This website provides background on several different aspects of Buddhist art,
including mudras (hand gestures) the wheel of dharma, and the lotus flower.

 Exploring the Mandala

This website from Cornell University focuses on the creation of mandalas using
computer graphics.

 Mandala
This website offers information about color symbolism and other symbolic
images in mandalas.

 Symbols in Buddhist Art

This graduate student created website provides visuals to highlight the eight
auspicious symbols, the lotus flower, and hand gestures. A quick ready to use
reference.

 Sackler Gallery
This website focuses on the special ceremony of Buddhist monks to create and
destroy a sand mandala in Washington D.C. Provides excellent visuals and some
basic facts about the sand mandala.

 Washington Post
This Washington Post features includes multimedia files of interviews and
pictures from the Sackler Gallery ceremony.
 Buddhist Mandalas
Mandala Sand Painting
This site features photos of different sand mandalas.

Buddha Net
This website features more images of mandalas.

 Early Tibetan Mandalas

This site features images of Mandala Paintings from Tibetan culture.