Prince William & Kate learn about mandalas in Los Angeles
Prince William & Kate learn about mandalas in Los Angeles
July 11, 2011 - Young British royals, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge William and Catherine, reportedly learned about mandalas at Inner-City Arts in Los Angeles (USA) on July 10.
“Mandala”, which means “circle” in Sanskrit, is a sacred symbolic pictorial representation of the universe originating in India. Appearing in Rig-Veda, the oldest existing scripture of the mankind, mandala has also been described in Tantras and Agamas. It has ritual and spiritual significance in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions.
As the royals sat at easels donning art smocks, an artistic director explained about mandalas and students around told them how to paint their own mandalas, reports suggest.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that mandala represented cosmos and aided in visualization and manifesting the deity/deities.
Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, urged the royal couple to explore the rich philosophical thought offered by Hinduism, oldest religion of the world.
Inner-City Arts claims to provide elementary, middle and high school students; many living in Los Angeles' poorest neighborhoods; with the tools and skills they need to succeed academically and personally. Cynthia S. Harnisch is CEO, while Doug Hinchliffe is Board Chairman.
Hinduism, third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.
ENDS