The construction of the maṇḍala is one of the essential steps for a successful Kālacakra empowerment (abhiṣeka; dbang bskur). In this context, the maṇḍala constitutes the consecrated representation of the entire universe in its purified form with the palace of Kālacakra at its center, surrounded by a retinue of deities, where the master will lead the student. Indian traditions provide clear guidelines for drawn bidimensional maṇḍalas: Nāropā’s (956–1040 CE) seminal Kālacakra work—the Sekoddeśaṭīkā—prescribes the use of a sand maṇḍala, whereas the method described by Abhayākaragupta (11th/12th cent. CE) in the Vajrāvalī admits the use of a painted maṇḍala. Notably, later Tibetan traditions elaborated extensive descriptions of constructed or visualized tridimensional maṇḍalas that, within the Jo nang school, are best provided in the works of Phyogs las rnam rgyal (1306–86) and ‘Ba’ mda’ dge legs (1844–1904).

Khentrul Rinpoche Jamphel Lodrö is a master of the Jo nang tradition. Born in the mGo log region of Eastern Tibet, he was trained in the rNying ma, dGe lugs, and Jo nang traditions. Since he found his main guru in Jo nang Blo bzang ’phrin las, he has come to identify himself most closely with the Jo nang tradition and its Kālacakra lineage. He left Eastern Tibet in 2000 and finally settled in Australia, where he later established the Rimé Buddhist Institute, in 2003. Since then, Khentrul Rinpoche has devoted his efforts to traveling and teaching Buddhism and the practice of Kālacakra. He has authored several books including Demystifying Shambhala, in which he details the history of the Jo nang tradition. In 2016, Khentrul Rinpoche was a Visiting Professor for three months at the Department of South Asian, Tibetan, and Buddhist Studies of the University of Vienna.