Mandala in Process is a visual counter in buddhist meditation. It is supposed to present and encourage the buddhist community.
Background
Meditation is the central part of buddhist practice. It brings together body, speech and mind to aim for liberation and enlightment and for the benefit of others. During meditation mantras (tib. prayer recitatives) are spoken and counted by a mala (tib. prayer chain made up of 108 beads).
The most basic buddhist practices are finished after 111.111 mantras are spoken and so 1000 mala rounds are made. In special buddhist ceremonies all mantras are dedicated to one certain Lama.
Concept
Always when members of a buddhist community meditate all spoken mantras are collected and counted by Intelligent Malas. Each mantra completes a mandala (tib. centre; circle of power), that stands for one buddha aspect. The speed of the buildung up of the mandala shows, how many people meditate how much. If many mantras are counted, the mandala completes fast; if less mantras are counted, it takes more time until the mandala is done. The Mandala in Process reflects the engagement of the individual for the community.
Simulation of the Sandmandala in process, speeded up 500%
documentation of the realisation with a penplotter DPX-3300, speeded up by app. 100%
"Intelligente Mala"
When the meditating person has spoken one mantra he moves one of 108 beads by the thumb over the index finger. After he has made one full round, he presses the guru bead – the biggest bead of the mala. Then 108 mantras are sent to a central computer that controls the completion of the mandala.
"Intelligent Mala": Guru bead with remote counter
"Pixelbased Sandmandala"
Traditionally a sandmandala is created by buddhist monks in a meditative ritual that takes a couple of days. It is made out of colored powdered sand and destroyed right after completion. The digital sandmandala is built up pixel by pixel in spirals starting in the center. After one mala round is completed one pixel is added to the mandala.
Altar fo the buddhist centre in Berlin-Mitte
"Penplotter Mandala"
Depending upon how many mantras are spoken the digital mandala is drawn in real time on a piece of paper by a penplotter (DPX 3300). After the mandala drawing is done it can be blessed and kept.
Interaction of the intelligent mala with the penplotter
