Mandala of the Buddha of Longevity

Lama Temple, Beijing

The center of this 18th century mandala is a three-dimensional model of a Tibetan (flat-roofed) building, that is symmetrical in all four cardinal directions. Presumably it represents the heavenly palace of this buddha, who thereby becomes symbolically present. Because of its subject, this mandala is probably from the Yongkang Pavilion, that enshrines a statue of Amitayus, the Longevity Buddha.