What kind of Buddhist temples are there? Borobudur

14.07.2023

Buddhism today is one of the most popular religious and philosophical movements in the world. It is professed by both experienced people and young people, attracted by incredible aesthetics and the opportunity to touch sacred knowledge that has been passed down from generation to generation for many hundreds of years. Buddhism originated in the 5th century BC. on the territory of modern India. The teaching, founded by Siddhartha Gautama, better known as Buddha, invites its followers to achieve nirvana, leaving suffering and the cycle of rebirth. According to some estimates, the number of Buddhists around the world reaches 500 million. Naturally, for such a number of believers, a corresponding number of temples is necessary. Some of them are more popular than others. We have compiled a selection of the most famous Buddhist temples.

The Temple of Reflection in the Calm Sea (think about the beautiful name!) is one of the most important shrines in South Korea. An interesting artifact is kept here - Tripitaka Koreana. These are 80 tablets containing the wisdom of Buddhism. The temple was built in 802, but its reconstruction, created in the 19th century, has survived to this day, as it had to survive a large-scale fire.

Situated on the western side of the Chaphraya River, the temple complex is one of the architectural gems of Siam. The central building of the Sunrise Temple is a 79-meter pagoda, sparkling in the sun with different colors. Despite its name, Wat Arun is best viewed at sunset. The temple is an architectural representation of Mount Meru, considered the center of the universe in Buddhist cosmology.

The temple, named “Great Stupa of Lao”, is one of the most revered in Laos. It is located in Vientiane and is a stupa with several terraces, symbolizing the levels of spiritual enlightenment in Buddhism. The lowest level is material life, the highest is the world of non-existence. The temple was built in the 16th century on the ruins of a Khmer sanctuary. In 1828 it was significantly damaged after the Siamese invasion and was restored by the French in 1931.

Speaking about Buddhism, one cannot help but recall Tibet, a country imbued with the spiritual wisdom of this teaching. Lhasa is the center not only of Tibet, but of all Tibetan Buddhism, attracting thousands of pilgrims from all over the world every year. The temple was built by King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century. The Mongols, who attacked Lhasa, ravaged it several times, but left the building untouched. Today the temple complex occupies an area of more than 25,000 square meters. meters.

The Great Oriental Temple in Nara is one of Japan's most unusual Buddhist temples and the largest wooden temple in the world. It was built in the 8th century by Emperor Shomu as the main temple, but little remains from that time. It consists of a complex of pagodas and various buildings and is surrounded by a park in which sacred deer live, who are not afraid of people. It is also home to one of the largest Buddha statues in Japan.

Located in the suburbs of Kathmandu, Boudhanath Temple is famous throughout the world for being the largest stupa. It is surrounded by monasteries of various schools and movements of Buddhism, and everyone who lives in them comes to worship at Boudhanath. The stupa was built in the 6th century (the first version was destroyed by the Mongols and rebuilt in the 14th century) and has since occupied the place of the main shrine of Nepal. The Buddha's eye located on the stupa is one of the most famous images of its kind. The stupa even appeared in the film “Little Buddha” by European film director Bernardo Bertolucci.

The Mahabodhi (Great Enlightenment) Temple is a Buddhist stupa located in Bodh Gaya. In the main complex there is a rare shrine - the Bodhi tree, which grew from the very tree under which Gautama Buddha achieved enlightenment. It is believed that the temple was founded 250 years after Buddha achieved enlightenment. The temple dates back to the 5th and 6th centuries and was restored in the 19th century by the British acting on behalf of the British Archaeological Society.

Borobudur Temple is a Buddhist monument of colossal size, the likes of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. This massive Buddhist temple is located in the Central Java region of Indonesia, near the city of Jakarta (approximately 42 km or 25 miles away).

Scholars cannot agree on when this temple was built, but most believe that it appeared between the 7th and 8th centuries. Scientists also believe that the construction of such a temple took at least 100 years.

Over the past hundred years, the temple has been abandoned due to the massive adoption of Islam. For a long time, the temple was covered with ash from erupting volcanoes, and eventually became overgrown with jungle.

The temple was discovered in 1814 by Sir Thomas Raffles, who sponsored the clearing of the temple area from overgrowth. Since then, the temple has undergone various reconstructions, but the most significant reconstruction for the life of the temple was carried out by the Indonesian government in the 1980s, with the support of UNESCO. Among similar temple complexes, one can highlight the Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar, one of the most famous buildings of this type

Borobudur was regaining its magnificent beauty and was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The structure of the temple represents a mythological model and consists of various terraces. Every terrace and wall of this ancient temple is covered with the most amazing intricate forms of bas-relief depicting the teachings of Buddha. Concavities depicting Buddha statues are everywhere, and every passage or terrace shows the many lives and many forms of acceptances of Sidhartha, before achieving Buddha's enlightenment.

Of course, as you walk through all these bas-reliefs, you will notice that many of the concavities are now empty, or contain headless Buddha statues. Why? Because of the limitless robbery that was relevant several decades ago. Many of the stolen Buddha heads are now in the homes of rich people and in museums around the world. The robbery continues today, but much less. Another similar complex is the ancient city of Bagan in Burma.

In the main part of the temple, the tourist will encounter the central stupa (symbol of Buddha’s enlightenment) - a symbol of eternity. Tourists cannot enter through the central stupa. Only Buddhist monks are allowed to enter through the central stupa.

In addition to the main stupa, there are 72 smaller bell-shaped stupas. Some stupas contain a seated Buddha, while others are empty. There is one particular stupa that represents the Buddha's abode with his crossed legs. Legend says that if you go up and touch the crossed leg of the Buddha, your wish will certainly come true.

Day of Enlightenment: Hari Raya Vaisak

One of the most beautiful and holiest Buddhist events that anyone can attend occurs once a year, during the full moon of May or June. Buddhist high priests announce the date in advance because they can calculate the date exactly using the lunar calendar.

On the appointed day, at around 2:00, the procession starts at Candi Mendut, a smaller temple, and proceeds to Pawon Temple. The duration of the ride is approximately 1.5 miles, and ends at Borobudur Temple. Barefoot male monks dress in saffron-colored robes, while women wear white saris and also participate in the procession, carrying lighted candles. The monks move very slowly, emphasizing the solemn manner, while chanting and praying.

There are two main types of Buddhist structures:

First type- intended to support the life of the monastery: temples, sometimes reaching enormous sizes, rooms for monks, a hall for believers, libraries.

Second type- structures that themselves are an object of worship: stupa, altar. They are the center of the monastery and act as the guardian of sacred relics.

Basic Concepts

Datsan Temple.

In Buddhism, sacred temples are called “datsans”. Datsans include religious buildings (sculptures of deities, stupas, prayer wheels - khurde) and outbuildings, as well as houses in which monks and novices live.

Buddhists go to datsans to pray, worship deities, ask the lama for advice, and get answers to their questions from the astrologer lama. In the peaceful atmosphere of the datsan, a person becomes purified and becomes wiser.

Distinctive features of Buddhist temples include tiered roofs, overhanging eaves, gilded pillars and wooden decorations in the form of mythical animals.

Along the walls of Buddhist temples there are long rows of prayer wheels rotating on a vertical axis, inside of which there are sheets of prayers. Repeated spinning of prayer wheels by those praying replaces their reading of the prayer: the number of times the drum is spun, the number of times the Buddhist “reads” the prayer. You can only spin the drum with your right hand, since the left hand is considered unclean. The ceremonial circumambulation around the temple (stupa) is performed so that it is on the right hand, i.e. the round is done clockwise.

Inside, the Buddhist temple is a square room with an altar located opposite the entrance. In the center of the altar there is a statue of Buddha on a platform, with smaller saints and bodhisattvas sitting on its sides. On the platform in front of the statues there are oil lamps and various gifts of believers. “Tangkas” - images of deities painted on silk fabrics in colorful colors - are hung on the walls.

Upon entering the datsan, the worshiper must mentally politely greet the deities who are there. After this, put your palms together. This resembles a lotus flower - a symbol of wisdom and mercy (Buddhists imagine that Buddha sits inside the palms at the tips of the thumbs, like on a throne). After this, the worshiper greets all the deities and Buddha, walking in a circle from left to right (along the sun).

Prostrations are made on 3, 7, 21, etc. once. There are half-bows and full bows (prostrations). When bowing, a Buddhist must definitely wish all living beings relief from suffering.

Important Concepts

Stupa - (translated from Sanskrit - a pile of earth, stones), a Buddhist religious building, inside which sacred relics are stored.

“Khurde” (translated as “prayer drum”) - such drums contain prayers written on paper.

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Buddhism is rich in various attributes. It is very interesting to figure out which statue represents whom. Examine ritual objects. Today I will show you what I saw while visiting numerous Buddhist temples in Ladakh. Fortunately, almost everywhere, if the ministers were even allowed inside the premises, they were allowed to film. And often they weren’t against a tripod! You couldn't touch anything with your hands. :) Therefore, if there is a plastic bottle in the frame of a completely authentic still life... then that means it’s necessary. :)))

The first and most important thing is, of course, the Buddha statues. In the photo is Buddha Matreya, Buddha of the future. Distinctive sign - crown:

Buddha Matreya

We take off our shoes and go in. Buddha Matreya in full (crown visible) and Buddha Shakyamuni (Buddha of the present). Matreya from the Thiksey Gompa Monastery. Shakyamuni - from the gompa in Sheya. It should be noted here that there were so many monasteries, temples and gompas that it is now difficult to figure out which photo is from. Moreover, we did not visit them according to plan. So I’ll write where I remember. Where not, alas...

// mari-pazhyna.livejournal.com

Lama statues from Tiksi Monastery:

Lama statues from Tiksi Monastery // mari-pazhyna.livejournal.com

More Buddhas along with lamas:

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I didn’t know who that scary guy was next to the llama. The comments suggested that this is Cham-spring, the defender of the monastery:

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Interior with ritual mask. In general, when you enter a dark room, and there are such masks... the jokes are bad, in short.

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We look into the room... and there is a fresco:

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Here we smoothly move on to the frescoes. They are old. Many are painted with natural paints, the recipe for which has been lost. Unique painting:

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In the background of the interior (in the previous photo) you can see shelves with books. Books are stacks of sheets of paper wrapped in cloth with sacred texts written or printed on them.

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There are rules for reading sacred books. The book should not be placed on the floor or on a chair. You can't step over it. You cannot place other objects on the book, even images of Buddha. It should be kept in a place of honor. And if the book has become unusable, then under no circumstances should it be thrown away. Just burn it. Here I involuntarily remembered: “manuscripts don’t burn...” (c) Woland.

// mari-pazhyna.livejournal.com

There is no easy access to books. There are sacred texts that only lamas are allowed to read. Opened book:

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Next to the book is a bell and a vajra. The two most important ritual attributes of Tibetan lamas. They are usually used together and symbolize the unity of teachings. And also masculine and feminine principles. That's it in a nutshell. And if you look further, they have so many meanings... The bell is taken in one hand, the vajra in the other. Another bell:

// mari-pazhyna.livejournal.com

Another element that is impossible not to notice when entering almost any hall of a Buddhist temple. Kangerge drum, used for prayers and meditations:

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Well, I think everyone has seen such ritual drums. But these are special. Very old:

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Ritual sea shell inlaid with metal. Used as a bugle:

// mari-pazhyna.livejournal.com

So we smoothly moved on to musical instruments.

Originating in the 6th century BC, Buddhism is one of the oldest religions in the world. Its distinctive feature is its close connection not so much with traditional beliefs present in any modern religion, but rather its emphasis on the philosophical concept of knowing oneself. In fact, Buddhism is a teaching about the spiritual awakening of a person, which becomes possible only under the condition of certain actions on the part of the individual himself.

Over two and a half thousand years, Buddhism has spread widely among different peoples of Southeast Asia, absorbing local beliefs and cultural traditions. Today, there are several major movements in Buddhism, each of which aims to achieve personal liberation from the binding shackles of the world - nirvana.

Buddhist monasteries bear little resemblance to religious communities of other religions. The monks living there, although they live permanently in monasteries, are not very attached to them. In ancient times, Buddhist monks roamed the endless roads of Asia, living on donations from the population. Today, collecting donations is also an integral feature of the life of a modern Buddhist monastery. In addition to caring for the well-being of the community, Buddhist monks are in a constant process of self-improvement, which, however, does not prevent them from communicating from time to time with the people and even visiting tourists, who are greeted quite warmly in Buddhist monasteries.

Buddhist monasteries - Photo.

1. Yumbulagang Monastery, Tibet

Yumbulagang Monastery is one of the oldest architectural and religious monuments in Tibet. Translated into Russian, its name literally means the Sacred Palace of the Fallow Deer, but the monastery is usually called the Palace of Mother and Son. Built on the eastern bank of the Yarlung River more than two thousand years ago for the first king of Tibet, today it is an important Buddhist shrine. The four-tier buildings of the monastery end with the main temple, decorated with square Buddhist domes. Inside, the eastern monastery is painted with ancient frescoes reproducing the early history of Tibet. Today, several Buddhist monks live in Yumbulagang.

2. Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia

The Mongolian monastery of Erdene Zu is one of the most ancient Buddhist architectural structures that have come down to us. Its name, given at the end of the 16th century when the first buildings were laid by Abtai Khan, is translated into Russian as “Temple of the Precious Lord,” that is, Buddha. The architectural ensemble of Erdene-Dzu is a composition of three temples that combine the ancient architectural traditions of Mongolia, China and Tibet. In the old days, more than ten thousand lamas lived on the territory of the monastery and there were about sixty separate idols. Today Erdene Zu is a functioning Labran Temple and a museum of ancient culture.

3. Ganden Monastery, Tibet

The Tibetan Ganden Monastery, located on Mount Wangbur, at an altitude of four and a half thousand meters above sea level, is considered one of the most serious Buddhist organizations in the world. The university of the Gelug Buddhist school, known as the “yellow faith,” is located here. The abbot of the monastery is the head of the teaching that calls on true Buddhists to adhere to morality and strict monastic life. Ganden was founded at the beginning of the 15th century. The monastery was badly damaged in the 60s during the Cultural Revolution in China. Today it has not yet been fully restored, but it already welcomes visitors on its territory.

4. Key Gompa Monastery, Tibet

The amazingly beautiful Ki Gompa monastery, lost in the harsh mountains of the Spiti Valley, from a distance resembles a fairy-tale toy in its appearance. Founded in the 11th century as a religious fort to monitor the surrounding area, today it is a functioning Buddhist monastery, home to at least 250 lamas during the winter season. The monks who fill the monastery are the second sons of local residents. Within the walls of Ki Gompa there is a rich collection of sculptures, musical instruments, books and weapons. During its history, the monastery was destroyed several times, which determined its modern architectural form - unusual, multi-tiered.

5. Tibetan Buddhist Temple Yonghe Gong, China

The Yonghegong Buddhist Temple, belonging to the Tibetan Gelug school, is located in the Northeast of Beijing. Several names are assigned to it: for example, “Palace of Peace and Harmony”, “Lamaist Temple” or “Lama Temple”. Erected at the end of the 17th and beginning of the 18th centuries, Yonghegong initially served as the residence of palace eunuchs and only decades later began to gradually come under the rule of Tibetan monks. Architecturally, Yonghegong is a combination of five halls - Heavenly Kings, Harmony and Peace, Eternal Protection, Dharmachakra and Ten Thousand Fortunes Pavilion.

6. Thikse Monastery, India

Located in Northern India, on a hilltop overlooking the Indus River, the Buddhist monastery of Thiksi Gompa consists of twelve levels of snow-white buildings with red and yellow splashes of individual buildings. Ten Buddhist temples, a nunnery, a meeting hall and numerous outbuildings were erected in the 15th century. Today Tiksi Gompa is a functioning monastery belonging to the Gelug school. The main attraction of the Buddhist community is the temple of the future Buddha with a huge fifteen-meter statue of Maitreya, made of clay, copper and gold.

7. Fortress-monastery Punakha Dzong, Bhutan

The Bhutanese monastery of Punakha Dzong is “Happiness” itself in architectural flesh, because this is exactly how its name is translated into Russian. The prefix “dzong” indicates the fortress function of the structure, erected in the 17th century as a fortified fortress, which housed not only a Buddhist monastery, but also the city administration. In the case of Punakha Dzong, we are talking about the city of the same name, Punakha, which was the capital of Bhutan for a long time. Built at the confluence of two rivers, Punakha Dzong is an extremely beautiful architectural complex consisting of two temples and a library.

8. Taung Kalat Monastery, Myanmar

The Buddhist monastery Taung Kalat got its name from the name of the mountain on which it is located. Rising above the city, practically floating in the clouds, the Myanmar architectural ensemble is distinguished by graceful architectural features and real human fearlessness. Mount Taung Kalat - a volcano that was extinct more than 24 centuries ago, now overgrown with green trees - forms an ideal natural basis for snow-white temple buildings, to which 777 steps lead from the ground. Local residents believe that spirits - nat - live in the depths of Mount Taung Kalat, so visiting the monastery is a must with their favorite fresh meat.

9. Paro Taktsang, Bhutan

Taktsang-lakhang, which means “Nest of the Tigress,” got its name from an ancient legend about how the Buddhist teacher Padmasambhava ascended to a high mountain while riding his wife, who had temporarily turned into a wild beast. The monastery-fortress for observing the surrounding area is located at an altitude of three thousand meters above sea level and seven hundred meters above the local Paro valley. Founded in 1692, Taktsang Lakhang was almost completely destroyed by fire in 1998 and restored by 2005.

10. Xuankun-si (Hanging Monastery), China

The Chinese monastery of Xuankun-si is a unique temple complex belonging to the “hanging” type of architectural structures. Founded in 491 AD in the Chinese province of Shanxi, near the sacred Hengshan Mountain, Xuankong Si unites representatives of three religions. In addition to Buddhists, Confucians and Taoists also settled here. The monastery buildings are attached to the mountain with wooden piles. Their back wall is dense rocks. Xuankun-si consists of forty halls and pavilions and contains more than eighty statues sacred to the eastern peoples.