The Mandala of Marici

Marici is the Buddhist goddess of light and the dawn, as well as war, who offers protection from war, violence and peril. Her diverse attributes derived from pre-Buddhist and Buddhist beliefs in India. In China, the goddess continues to be popular in Buddhism and Daoism.

Created as a sacred space, a mandala features a geometric diagram that symbolizes the universe. Within the diagram, many deities exist in various realms of the universe. In the center of this painting, Marici rides her boar chariot surrounded by her entourage. Her protective manifestations are shown in the radiating circles. High Buddhist deities reside in heaven, above these circles. Interestingly, Daoist deities are incorporated on the lower sides of this mandala to pay homage to Marici.