Mandala is Sanskrit for circle, community, and connection. It is derived from the root manda, which means essence, to which the suffix la, meaning container, has been added - a container of essence.
As for the center, that is the essence. The mandala is often illustrated as a palace with four gates, facing the four corners of the Earth. The gates are guarded by four doorkeepers, and to pass thru you must be purified thru the fire of wisdom.
Mandala - the boat!
I did not name her Mandala. She was christened by the original owner, Dr. Harold Pruett, when he purchased her in 1990. He had her until early 2005, then another owner had her for a scant 7 months before I bought her in late 2005. I thought about renaming her, but decided not to, as I like the name, and decided it would be wrong to rename her without even getting to know her first ! 
On these pages you can find out more details about the boat and how I came to own her, or if you would rather, you can find out more about my adventures upon her by checking out Mandala's Ships Logs, which is organized like a photo album of each voyage I've taken. You can also find out how I started becoming interested in sailing by clicking the link below to my Early Sailing Adventures: Other Sailing AdventuresAlso, since writing this webpage in 2006, in 2007-2008, I have become a full time cruiser, having sold Mandala. I purchased Rhapsody, and am currently sailing her thru Central America. You can find out more about my most recent cruising adventure by clicking on the links below: |