The Buddhist cosmological view expressed in the texts and practices of the Kalachakra Tantra, known as the Wheel of Time, explains and integrates observed relationships between the human body and mind with the external universe while foregrounding human experience. It combines a fundamental Buddhist concept—that all of existence is impermanent and has the nature of time—with another essential notion: that the same particles comprising the elements of earth, fire, water, air, space, and awareness make up both the human body and mind and the cosmos. Developed in the eleventh century as the latest comprehensive system of tantric theory and practice, Kalachakra describes the association between the internal and external Kalachakra, as cycles of time. As presented in Tibetan Kalachakra traditions, the astrological and medical knowledge of how celestial bodies correlate with the body and mind may help facilitate the advancement of human potential and well-being.

Kalachakra Cosmology Illustration; Tibet; 16th century; pigments on cloth; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2009.9

This combined view from above and the side shows enormous outer disks/spheres or mandalas of:

• Wind
• Fire
• Water
• Earth
• Six continents around the central axis of Mount Mehru, which widens upward

Humans and other being live on the six continents. The Gods of the Desire Realm and sensory planes live on the top and the rim of Mount Mehru. Ethereal and formless divine beings are at the very top (“head’s crown”) of Mount Mehru.

black, largest ring

red flames

faint blue waves

yellow

Six continents around the central axis of Mount Mehru, which widens upward.

This is the world of humans and animals, featuring:

• Symbolic representation of Tibetan regions as squares around the central temple
• River Shita dividing the continent (blue wavy area)
• Mythical land of Shambhala north of the river (circular, mandala-like detail)
• Mountains north of Kailash, the sacred mountain, at the top

Symbolic representation of Tibetan regions as squares around the central temple

dividing the continent (blue wavy area)

north of the river (circular, mandala-like detail)

north of Kailash, the sacred mountain

Kalachakra Tantra was first propagated and practiced in this hidden land ruled by enlightened kings. Here it is shaped like an eight-petal lotus mandala surrounded by mountains with:

• Each “petal” containing twelve regions with rulers and millions of villages
• Capital city with the Kalachakra mandala palace in the center

This land is accessible only to those who have purified their inner “universe” through the Kalachakra practic and are truly virtuous.

Each containing twelve regions with rulers and millions of villages.

With the Kalachakra mandala palace in the center

The lower body corresponds to the outer rings of:

• Wind
• Fire
• Water
• Earth

From the navel up, the spine correlates with Mount Mehru. The neck, head, and top of the head correspond to the various heavens and the formless planes.

Corresponding to the outer rings of:

• Wind
• Fire
• Water
• Earth

Correlating with Mount Mehru.

Corresponding to the various heavens and the formless planes.

Kalachakra tantric practices contain instructions on the subtle body and the inner channels that carry energy through the body and form a complex network and energy centers (chakras) with astrological correlations. The three main channels are:

• Green and blue (central channel)
• Red
• White

The month when the Sun leaves the sign of Capricorn is associated with channels at the right shoulder. The month when the Sun leaves Pisces is associated with the elbow, and so on.

The six chakras correlate with the six elements:

• Space (crown)
• Water (forehead)
• Fire (throat)
• Wind (heart)
• Earth (navel)
• Awareness (sex organ)

The twelve chakras at the main joints (shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles) are associated with the twelve zodiac signs. The fingers also correlate with the elements: thumb (earth), second finger (water), third finger (fire), fourth finger (wind), and the fifth finger (space).

These two spherical images show the view of the universe from above, with Mount Mehru at the center and the continents surrounding it, including Jambudvipa (center red triangle). They show the movement of the Sun over the course of a year:

•  “Wind,” or energetic tracks, around Mount Mehru in alternating patterns over time, when the Sun travels closer or farther from it in different directions through the twelve sections of the zodiac (left diagram)
• Seasonal points based on the Sun’s movement around Mount Mehru (right diagram)
• Grey-green orbit marks the winter solstice, when the Sun enters Capricorn
• Yellow orbit marks the spring equinox, when the Sun enters Aries
• Blue orbit marks the summer solstice, when the Sun enters Cancer
• Red orbit marks the autumnal equinox, when the Sun enters Libra

These tracks travel around Mount Mehru in alternating patterns over time, when the Sun travels closer or farther from it in different directions through the twelve sections of the zodiac.