A mandala is a sacred, symbolic, geometric form that represents the qualities and structure of the mind and the entire cosmos, according to Tibetan Buddhism. A mandala is most commonly seen as either a traditional thangka (painting), or as a design made out of sand that is painstakingly created and wiped clean at the end of a ceremony to represent impermanence.

Mandalas and other sacred art are used for visualization practices to focus attention during meditation.