By Kaelyn Escuadra

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Barry

Abstract

Vajrayana or Tantric Buddhism, along with its beliefs and practices, has largely remained hidden from the world; however, the rich tradition has much to offer religiously, philosophically, and through its artwork. This project provides a brief overview of Tibetan Buddhist history, the development of the field of aesthetics, and the methods through which these areas can be combined in a re-incorporation and re-imagining of traditional Vajrayana symbolism present in Vajrayana mandalas in and with contemporary aesthetic ideas.