What is a Mandala?

A mandala is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Asian cultures. It can be understood in two different ways: externally as a visual representation of the universe or internally as a guide for several practices that take place in many Asian traditions, including meditation. In Hinduism and Buddhism, the belief is that by entering the mandala and proceeding toward its center, you are guided through the cosmic process of transforming the universe from one of suffering into one of joy and happiness.