A study on the relationship of mandala activities and human flourishing: The case of Turkey

This study aims to examine the meaning of mandala applications, which have become increasingly popular in our country in recent years, for mandala instructors. In the study, the theory of Commodification of Religion is discussed and the validity of this theory on modern mandala applications is tested through desacralization factors. Looking at the existing literature, it is seen that there is an accumulation of knowledge on the experience of Europe, America, and Indonesia. Studies show that religious symbols are culturally commodified in various ways as a result of their incorporation into the spiritual market. These religious symbols have been individualized through adaptation or taken out of their context by being included in the tourism industry, their functions have been changed, they have been deprived of their sacred essence, and they have been witnessed to be completely or selectively desacralized. This study aims to make a qualitative contribution with an in-depth interview technique. The sample selected for the research was selected from individuals who have been teaching mandala for many years from various cities of Turkey to learn the definition, application, purpose of use, visual content, and transformation of the modern mandala. The findings show that the mandala, as a religious symbol, has become a commodity in the process of desacralization.