This is a handmade Shakyamuni Mandala Thangka Painting. The word mandala is derived from the root ‘manda’, which means essence, and the suffix ‘la’, meaning container. In Tibetan Buddhism mandalas are used for meditation, with specific designs reminding the meditator of some guiding principle. It is a visual aid for concentration and introversive meditation leading to the attainment of insights and to activation of forces culminating in "Siddhi". The Mandala represents an imaginary palace of perfection constructed by symmetrical series of concentric circles and squares. At the center point of this imaginary palace, rests the resident deity – Shakyamuni. It is by him that the nature of the mandala is identified. Other Buddhist auspicious symbols can also be found in the design. Crossing various levels of earthly temptations, spiritual redundancy and physical moorings, one reaches the center of perfection – symbolized here in the figure of Shakyamuni. Venerated for its religious significance and aesthetic beauty, it is a priced artifact.