The mandala in Nichiren Buddhism is a moji-mandala (文字曼陀羅), which is a paper hanging scroll or wooden tablet whose inscription consists of Chinese characters and medieval-Sanskrit script representing elements of the Buddha's enlightenment, protective Buddhist deities, and certain Buddhist concepts.
Mandala, in Hindu and Buddhist Tantrism, a symbolic diagram used in the performance of sacred rites and as an instrument of meditation. The mandala is basically a representation of the universe, a consecrated area that serves as a receptacle for the gods and as a collection point of universal forces.
All the patterns within a mandala have significance and symbolism, and because they are all connected, the mandala represents “ unity, harmony and the interconnectedness of all things.”
In Buddhism, the mandala represents the universe and emphasizes the potential of enlightenment. The mandala can be made on a wall like a scroll painting, or just an ordinary painting, and can also be made on any table using some colored sand.
What Is a Mandala? - Learning About the Meaning of a Mandala
A mandala (Sanskrit for “circle”) is an artistic representation of higher thought and deeper meaning given as a geometric symbol used in spiritual, emotional, or psychological work to focus one's attention. The image first appears in India via the Hindu text known as the Rig Veda c. 1500 - c. 500 BCE.
In traditional Buddhist and Hindu practices, mandalas serve as sacred diagrams representing the universe in its complete form. The circular boundary creates a contained space that paradoxically points to something boundless—our connection to everything around us.
In Hindu and Buddhist traditions, mandalas are meditative maps of the universe. In Hinduism, they guide practitioners toward the divine within. In Buddhism, they symbolize the journey toward enlightenment—through compassion, wisdom, and overcoming the obstacles of the ego.