The largest Buddhist temples and monasteries photo architecture. Buddhist temples and monasteries Buddhist temple what
And it was not somewhere in a remote village, but in Kamakura - a tourist and popular place, and in a fairly famous temple called Komyoji - Temple of Bright Light. This is a temple of the Jodo sect - Pure Land, one of the main branches of Japanese Buddhism. The fact is that Komyoji is located in exactly the opposite direction from the traditional Kamakura attractions, so there are few foreigners there, and not many Japanese. And the temple is relatively large and well “packed”: it has the largest wooden gate in Eastern Japan, a rock garden, and a rich interior (just please don’t wait for photos of frescoes and stained glass windows). At one time (Edo era and earlier), the temple enjoyed the favor of emperors and shoguns, therefore, on the panels at the entrance there are coats of arms of chrysanthemums and paulownias (symbols of the imperial family).
There will also be several photographs of scenes of Kamakura life. The photographer is not an early bird, so the lighting is sunset, that is, yellow.
1. On the stone stele is the inscription: Komyoji, a high-level temple of the Pure Land Sect.
2. I wonder if the rector or a parishioner drives this? In the background is a large wooden gate.
3. “It’s a tedious task, visiting temples... And in general, I can’t sit while others are working, I’ll go to bed.”
4. Old tatami mats appear yellow at sunset. So this is where the legend about a country full of gold comes from!
5. Panels with gold embroidered dragons. I caught a bigger one, but in general there were a lot of them.
6. A sign with the name of the temple: Komyoji, written in cursive.
7. General view of the interior. There are electric carpets in the foreground, so you could pray (or take clandestine photographs) in comfort.
8. Main lampshade in front of the altar
9. Decorations in front of the altar. A spell is written in black hieroglyphs, by pronouncing which you can be saved and go to heaven.
10. Central ceiling of the prayer hall
11. The monks beat out the rhythm into these cast iron and wooden bell pans when they read the sutras.
12. Before the altar
13. Decorations near the altar
14. The actual altar with the Amida Buddha. Amida transports the souls of the dead to Jodo, a Buddhist paradise.
15. Rock garden, right view
16. Rock garden, left view
17. The central part of the rock garden
18. Lantern - as a rule, they are hung with donations from parishioners. Pleasure is not cheap. In well-known temples, you have to pay 6,000 (six thousand) dollars for the right to hang such a lantern.
19. A stone lantern is also one of the types of donations. It’s an even more expensive pleasure, which is why they used to be offered by famous feudal lords, but now by enterprises.
The Buddhist religion and culture over time has spread far beyond the borders of India. In the 1st century AD, in the Kushan state (Northwest Hindustan), Buddhist religious buildings - stupa sanctuaries, cave and ground temples - were actively built. In Bactria there was a huge Buddhist monastery where 3000 monks lived.
The Buddhist temples of Kushana were decorated in large quantities with sculpture.
Until recently, a monument of world significance were two huge sculptures - Small Buddha (35 meters, 2nd century BC) and Big Buddha (53 meters, 1st century AD) in the Balshan Valley in the center of Afghanistan (blown up by the Taliban).
On the basis of cult sculpture, Kushan masters created a secular gallery, and a palace-dynastic one - portraits of rulers, heroes, nobles.
In the first centuries AD, Buddhism spread to China. The symbol of this religion here was not a stupa, but a multi-tiered pagoda tower. The pagodas of the ancient era were made of wood and have not survived. In the 8th century, a peculiar roof shape appeared in China - with curved edges, often decorated with relief and sculpture. This curvature comes from the transition from the steep gable roof of the main building to the surrounding veranda. The roof was the main accent of the architectural composition.
Pagodas dating back to the early Middle Ages were distinguished
monumentality and simplicity of style. Later buildings are complex
silhouette with curved eaves overhangs, with fractional plastic walls.
As one of the architectural elements of Buddhist temple complexes in China, there are “purification gates”, richly decorated with sculpture, carvings, and colors.
There are many active Buddhist temples and monasteries in China. One of the most impressive is the Lunming (Dragon Gate) cave temple, in whose numerous grottoes and niches there are more than 100 thousand statues of Buddhas and bodhisattvas. The monotonous monotony of beautiful sculptures surprisingly calms a person, helping him to escape from the vanity of the world around him.
The most famous Buddhist cave temple in China is Shaolin (it is carved into a rock near the Yellow River). This monastery is the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and a recognized center for the martial art of wushu. The specifics of the monastery are reflected in a unique sculpture gallery created in one of the courtyards. Wooden sculptures depict shaven-headed monks engaged in training battles. The figures are very realistic and expressive. Shaolin monks have been perfecting the martial art for centuries.
The most ancient is the Baima (White Horse) monastery in the vicinity of Luoyang. It was here on white horses in the 1st century AD. brought the first books of the Buddhist canon and a statue of Buddha.
Many late Buddhist monasteries have survived in Thailand. In Bangkok there is the Phra Kaew monastery with the world famous Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and here is the most ancient monastery of the Thai capital Chetupon (Wat Pho). This monastery is famous for its largest temples and the learning of its monks. In the main temple there is a huge statue of a reclining Buddha (46 meters long and 15 meters high), covered with gold. Bells are quietly ringing under the arches of the temple...
A unique late Buddhist cultural monument has been preserved in
Indonesia.
In the center of the island of Java stands the Buddhist temple of Borobudur, one of the most beautiful buildings of oriental architecture. It is more than 11 centuries old. It was built according to the design of the architect Gunadharma in the 8th century. Borobudur Temple is built on a natural hill with an oblong shape. The central step pyramid stands on a square base measuring one hectare. Above the base rise terraces covered in bas-relief and decorated with 462 Buddha statues. Even higher are three circular terraces on which there are 72 openwork stupas with Buddha statues inside. At a height of 35 meters above the ground, the structure is completed by a large closed and empty stupa, symbolizing the contemplation of the Supreme Truth or Nivana. Stairs lead to the top of the pyramid, and the entrances are guarded by stone lions. Borobudur Temple is characterized by original elements that distinguish it from other Buddhist monuments.
Buddhism came to Japan from Korea in the 6th century. Therefore, Buddhist temples were built there by Korean and Chinese architects. One of these temples, a Chinese-style Buddhist temple with a pagoda (7th century), is well preserved in Nara (the ancient capital of Japan) and is a national shrine.
Japanese Buddhist temples are almost always recognized by their red gates. The interiors of the temples are brightly painted. In the depths of the temple there is a statue of Buddha.
The heart of the Great Steppe - Mongolia - became acquainted with the foundations of Buddhism in the 7th century. Under Ogedei Khan, in honor of his enthronement, the first Buddhist temple was founded in the then capital of Mongolia, Karakorum (destroyed in the 14th century).
Since the end of the 16th century, the northern, Tibetan branch of Buddhism has been spreading in Mongolia. In the valley of the Orkhon River, the complex of the Buddhist monastery Erdene-Zud (“precious treasure”) was created. The territory of the monastery is surrounded by a wall with 107 towers-suburgans, original sanctuaries-mausoleums.
The first one behind the fence is the Dalai Temple - Lamyk, dedicated to
High Priest of Tibet Dalai Lama. The lower part of the building is lined with blue brick, above there is a parapet with a strip of frieze with gilded mirrors embedded in the masonry of the wall.
The flourishing of Buddhist culture in Mongolia is associated with the name of Janabazar, an outstanding statesman and religious figure, a talented poet, architect, and sculptor. In his works he followed the Buddhist canons, but his work is broader than any canon, any religion. He became famous for creating five huge bronze statues of Dhyani (Buddhas of Contemplation).
The sculpture of Vajradara (a Buddhist deity), created in strict Buddhist canons, was preserved and became the main shrine of the Gandan monastery in Ulaanbaatar (at that time it was the Khan’s headquarters of Ugra).
Until now, in the museum of Ulaanbaatar, from the depths of centuries, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, White Tara, smiles at us, protecting people from evil. There were twenty such figures, and the twenty-first Tara smiles at us with the smile of the artist’s beloved girl.
Ugra was not only the capital of the state, but also the center of Buddhism in Mongolia. And the Gandan monastery was an almost independent city in the capital. There was also a higher spiritual educational institution of Lamaism here, where students from Buryatia, Tyva, and Kalmykia studied.
The interiors of the monastery churches still amaze with both their magnificent sculpture and the richness of the color schemes of the interiors. Gold, turquoise, coral, and ocher were ground to obtain certain colors.
All elements of the temple, including painted icons and objects of decorative and applied art, are subordinated to a single compositional concept.
Lamaism, using the heritage of the artistic culture of the Mongolian people, managed to develop all types of artistic creativity and put them at the service of religion.
Conclusion
Buddhism in the modern world - a world of wars, terrorism, unbelief, finds
more and more supporters. The first truth of Buddhism, “Everything in the world is full of evil and suffering,” perfectly characterizes the 21st century. And if not the world, then at least the human spirit strives to learn to live correctly in this world of suffering.
The main discovery of Buddhism: man is unbearably alone in this world. He can save himself. Buddha said: “Few people reach the opposite shore, the rest only fuss on this shore.”
Buddhism... Religion without God, salvation without salvation, life without evil, but also without good...
Current problems of the development of Buddhism in modern conditions are determined by the search for an all-Russian identity, the need for a deep study of the origins of one’s own Eurasian culture, and the preservation and use of all the best that has been created over the centuries-old history of Russian civilization. In this regard, the analysis of the Buddhist culture of Russia, its values in determining the Eurasian identity of the multinational Russian state, where a kind of “exodus to the East” and Buddhist-Orientalist traditions have deep historical roots, deserves special attention.
In the context of the search for new ways of civilizational development, the search for opportunities to implement the principle of complementarity of types of philosophizing in Russia and the East becomes important. The riches of Buddhist philosophy can and should be in demand by modern Russian culture and the intellectual environment, especially since its meeting with the Russian philosophical tradition at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries. turned out to be very fruitful.
The importance of the foreign policy side of this problem is also undoubted. Due to the unique geographical position of Russia, it faces the task of establishing and maintaining friendly relations not only with
countries of the West, but also with the states of the Buddhist East. It is necessary to take into account that the peoples of Russia, who traditionally profess Buddhism, are a kind of connecting link between our country and the Buddhist world. Thus, the international position of Russia will depend to a certain extent on a correct understanding of the specifics of Buddhism.
Buddhism today plays an increasingly important role in the social and cultural life of Russia, gradually crossing the boundaries of those regions where it is traditionally widespread. The popularity of Buddhism is due to a number of reasons, one of which is the proximity of some of its principles to modern scientific thought. Sympathy is caused by a tolerant attitude towards other cultural and religious values, the absence of claims to exclusivity, and openness to interfaith dialogue. Humanism, tolerance and high ethical standards of Buddhist culture imply the possibility of implementing basic civil rights in practice.
The study of the spiritual, moral and socio-ecological potential of centuries-old Buddhist culture speaks of the revival of spirituality in Russia. The problems that modern civilization has encountered indicate the need to reassess values not so much in the economic, technological and information sphere, but in the spiritual, cultural, social -anthropological. Modern researchers are increasingly turning to Buddhism in search of answers to many pressing questions of our time (the problem of interaction between science and religion, environmental problems, the problem of tolerance, etc.). In the context of a crisis of scientific rationality, a “compromise” approach is becoming widespread, implying a synthesis of worldview paradigms of science and religion, East and West.
Appeal to the socio-cultural potential of Buddhism, analysis of the relationship between the ideas of tolerance, universal responsibility, ethics of non-violence in
Buddhism with the directions of development of the modern world can contribute to the search for new models for solving global problems of our time. Buddhist environmentally-oriented values are a kind of alternative to the “consumer society” and therefore they receive understanding and active support in the world.
Philosophical understanding of the values of Buddhist culture can be a conceptual component of the search for alternative models of development of modern civilization in the context of processes of “clash of identities.” It seems promising to turn to a discourse of religious and cultural identity that would give the individual, society integrity and value rootedness, and would help overcome the clash of identities of traditional, modern and postmodern societies, the “fracturedness”, “hybridity”, “borderliness” of modern identities.
The question of the perception of Buddhism in the sociocultural space of Russia is also of undoubted interest. This is due to the increased interest in the problem of dialogue of cultures in recent decades. The globalization of modern life and culture, the awareness of other values makes us look differently at the interaction of cultures and civilizations. The dialogue between the cultures of East and West is of particular importance at the present stage of historical development, when Asian countries are beginning to play a prominent role in the international arena.
Buddhism contributed to strengthening the Eurasian specificity of the sociocultural space of Russia, and the evolution of Buddhist culture in Russia was significantly influenced by the civilizational specificity of the Russian space.
In the process of its evolution on Russian soil, Buddhism acquired sociocultural characteristics compared to its original version, while its religious, philosophical and ideological principles remained almost unchanged.
An important feature of Buddhism that influenced its
historical destiny in the sociocultural space of Russia is pragmatism, which is most clearly manifested in crisis, transitional periods of social development.
Main:
1. Lebedev V. Yu. Religious Studies. - M.: “Yurait”, 2013. - 629 p.
2. Yablokov I.N. Fundamentals of Religious Studies. - M.: Gardariki, 2002. - 511 p.
Additional:
Buddhist temples can now be found in many countries as Buddhism has spread throughout the world. Buddhism has undergone many changes over the past 2,500 years, and today there are three main branches of this religion, each with their own monasteries for believers. The roots of Buddhism are located in India. Although the date of Buddha's birth is still a controversial point, Buddhism originated approximately in the 5th century. The literal translation of Buddha is “enlightened one.” In this article I will introduce you to some amazing and revered monasteries that you may want to visit.
1. Buddhist Monastery Wat Arun (WAT ARUN) in Thailand.
The famous Buddhist monastery Wat Arun is one of the most iconic images in Bangkok, Thailand. The temple is very recognizable.
It is decorated with ceramic tiles and colored porcelain. To visit the temple, you will need to take a taxi across the river.
2. Buddhist Monastery Luang (PHA THAT LUANG) in Laos.
Pha That Luang Temple is located in Laos. It is the most important national monument of Vientiane. Legends say that missionaries built this huge temple with a gilded dome to house a part of the Buddha.
A lot of excavations were carried out, but evidence of the legend was never found.
3. Buddhist Temple Jokhang (JOKHANG) in Tibet.
The Buddhist Jokhang Temple in the center of Lhasa is known as the Tibetan center of the spiritual world. The temple is the oldest remaining on earth and gives tourists an authentic taste of Tibetan culture.
The temple is stunningly beautiful. It remains the center of Buddhism in Tibet.
4. Buddhist Temple Todaiji (TODAIJI) in Japan.
One of the most significant and famous Buddhist temples is the Todaiji Temple in Nara. The monastery is the largest wooden building in the world and houses a huge Buddha statue.
The temple has always been and remains extremely popular. The temple is also home to many influential Buddhist schools.
5. Buddhist Temple BOUDHANATH in Nepal.
BOUDHANATH Temple is one of the most revered monuments in Kathmandu, Nepal. BOUDHANATH is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
BOUDHANATH attracts tourists from all over the world.
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Republic of the Union of Myanmar
Shwedagon Pagoda is one of the holiest places in the world. The main stupas of the temple are covered in gold and shimmer in the sun.
The temple is located in Yangon, Myanmar.
V Republic of the Union of Myanmar
Bagan Square has the largest concentration of Buddhist temples, stupas, and pagodas in the whole world.
The temples at Bagan Square are much simpler in design than many others in the world, but people still make pilgrimages to worship and enjoy the splendor of the place.
9. Buddhist Monastery in Borobudur (BOROBUDUR) in Indonesia
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 multi-level 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.
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 usually the monastery is 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.
