Visiting a Buddhist monastery always provides one with a feeling of calmness, peacefulness, and serenity. This article showcases the most famous Buddhist monasteries and temples in the world.
Buddhism is one of the influential religion in the world. Buddhism is not only established as a religion but it also inaugurates philosophies that plays an important role in the history of philosophy. It was evolved in northeastern India in the 5th century BC as a counter of Hindu religion (Santan Dharma). Buddhism is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as “The Buddha”, who was born in Nepal. The purpose of Buddha was to overcome Dukkha (sorrows) and to get rid of the dualism that mankind is crawling in his whole life. In a word it is a goal to attain “Nirvana”. The Buddhism Temples are the center of Buddha’s teaching. Here are the top 7, obviously some of the most beautiful, precariously-situated and uniquely designed Buddhist monasteries and temples from around the globe, just out of this world.
Buddhist Temples and Monasteries:
Bodhimanda Vihara, India
Also called the Mahabodhi Temple or Bodh Gaya, it is said that at this location, Gautama Buddha achieved enlightenment around 500 B.C. The monastery is called Bodhimanda Vihara, and the temple was built in around 250 B.C. by Emperor Ashoka. The Bodhi tree (Royal Fig Tree) is located towards the western side of the temple, and it is said that The Buddha attained enlightenment, when he was meditating beneath this tree. The temple construction is made up of brickwork, and the style is in the form of a central tower, around which four small towers are present. The temple underwent restoration in the 19th and 11th centuries.
Lama Temple, China
It is also called the Yonghe Temple, and is included under the Geluk School of Buddhism. After the Qing dynasty, construction of the temple took place in the late 17th century. Initially the monastery was in the form of a court, and was later converted to a monastery and a palace of the Yongzeng Emperor. After his death in 1735, his coffin was positioned inside the temple surroundings. Numerous monks from Tibet and Mongolia started living in this temple after it was given the imperial status. One of the best attractions include the three bronze Buddha statues (Buddha of the Three Ages) and the white sandalwood Maitreya Buddha statue.
Wong Tai Sin Temple, China
Basically a Taoist Temple, the Wong Tai Sin Temple is revered by Confucians and Buddhists as well. The temple was founded in the year 1921 and is named after Wong Chuping who started practising Taoism at the age of 15 itself. After forty years of devotion, he finally achieved enlightenment and became immortal. From then onwards, he became Wong Tai Sin. People believed him to posses power to castigate evildoers, and heal sufferings. The fame of Wong Tai Sin enhanced leaps and bounds and finally crossed Guangdong Province to reach Hong Kong in the early 20th century. He soon came to be known as fulfiller of wishes.
Palkhor Monastery, Tibet
The Palkhor Monastery, also known as the Palch Monastery, is located in the Gyantse county of Shigatse prefecture, around 230 km away from the Lhasa city. It stands at the foot of the Dzong Hill and commands a unique place for itself in the list of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. The reason for this is that the monastery is the only one where the three sects of the Tibetan Buddhism – the Sakyapa Sect (Stripe sect), the Kadampa Sect and the Gelugpa Sect (Yellow Sect) – coexist. Initially, there was lot of quarrel and disagreement amongst the monks of the different sect, however, today they have hit upon the art of living peacefully. Originally, the monastery was constructed in 1418.
Namgyal Monastery, India
This monastery is officially associated all the Dalai Lamas since the third one, and also is the residence of the current Dalai Lama. It was founded in the 16th century by the third Dalai Lama (Gyalwa Sonam Gyatso) in Lhasa Tibet. In 1959, after the Tibetan Uprising, the monastery underwent relocation to Dharamshala. Some of the major attractions include the Tibet Museum, Kalachakra temple, and the Tsuglagkhang temple. Apart from these, several wall murals and the Sakyamuni Buddha are also very famous. An American Branch of this monastery was also set up in 1992, based on the advice of the current Dalai Lama.
Wat Arun Temple, Thailand
A very famous tourist center in Thailand, this Buddhist temple was built around the 17th century, and was preceded by the existence of another temple on the same spot called Wat Makok. Its most attractive feature is the central stupa-like tower, which is in the form of a Khmer style design. The surrounding spires were built latter in the 19th century, and the location is near the Chao Phraya river. The temple design and layout is distinctly based on the ‘mandala’ style, which describes the central portion as the center of the Universe. One can get the best views and pictures when the sun sets in evening time.
Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple, Singapore
The temple, located 1 block past Perumal Road, is also known as the Temple of 1,000 Lights. The reason for this being the number of bulbs that light up around the large central statue of Buddha thereby creating a great aura around it. The statue itself is in seated posture, rises to a height of around 15 m and weighs approximately 300 tonnes.
Other attractions within the temple include a smaller Buddha in a reclining position, murals depicting scenes from the life of Prince Siddhartha (the Buddha) as he searches for enlightenment and a huge Buddha footprint inlaid with mother-of-pearl. It is not allowed to click a photograph of the reclining Buddha. Also to be seen within the temple are a wax model of Gandhi and a figure of the Hindu elephant god, Ganesh.