vihara
TRANSCRIPT
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A Buddhist monastery in Thailand is known as a Vihara or a Wat.
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Viharas are found all over Thailand, and may be very
ornate or very simple. These monasteries are the home to the members of
the Sangha – and although they may vary, they have
certain features in common. Remember that the idea of Monks having a “home” is
inaccurate – being a Bhikku means being a homeless
wanderer. The first Viharas were given to the Sangha as
places to rest during the rainy seasons!
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The Shrine room is the centre of any monastery – here the monks
perform their puja every day – demonstrating their respect for the Buddha’s achievement. We make
offerings here as well. Traditionally shrine rooms face to the east – as
this is the direction that the Buddha was facing when he
became enlightened.
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Offerings made at the Shrine will include
Flowers, Water, Incense, and Candles – there’s a
good reason for each one, can you remember what
they are?
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Many Buddha Rupas are covered in Gold Leaf – this is
done by Lay Buddhists to show their respect – it gains
them merit as well!
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As well as making Pujas, supporting the monks, and gilding Buddha rupas, there is a tradition
that members of the laity can gain merit through acts of
kindness to other creatures – these ladies are releasing caged birds, and fish in order to gain
merit.
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Larger monasteries will also have a meeting hall, called a Sala Kanparien. This is
used by the monks for regular meetings, sharing
monastic discipline, chanting etc.
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The Mondop is the monk’s library, that contains all our copies of
sacred texts – many of which are still written in the traditional
manner on long strips of paper, like this copy of the Tipitaka. This
Mondop is a particularly beautiful example, many are simple
buildings.
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Many Viharas will also have a Bot – a
hall for the ordination ceremony for new
monks.
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There are many important texts that
monks have to study – particularly the
Dhammapada, the Tripitaka, and of
course, the Vinaya Pitaka; the book of
rules for the monastic life.
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Monks have so much to learn that the Vihara may also act as a school – and
not just about Buddhism, so there may be classrooms, and even computer suites!
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The Kuti is the shelter where the monks live – this should just be a
simple structure – many forest monks just live in shacks. Here the Monks meditate, read, sleep, and
eat food from the alms round.
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The laity gain merit by giving the monks their food on the alms round.
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In the forest sangha, monks eat in the Kuti – although always before midday.
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You can find out more detail about the symbolism of a stupa by reading
this powerpoint.
Most monasteries will have a stupa – originally
these buildings contained relics of the Buddha, and they still contain relics, but usually of important
meditation teachers.
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Monks, and other Buddhists often walk around Stupas, to show that the Buddha is
at the centre of their lives.
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Many monasteries will have a Bodhi tree shrine – these are often cuttings from the very tree
under which the Buddha achieved enlightenment.
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This Bodhi tree is so ancient that it has absorbed the Buddha statue beneath it.
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Many monasteries
will have large, outdoor
Buddha rupas – this is the
great, bronze Buddha at
Kamakura in Japan.
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Never forget though, that the point of a
Vihara is to provide a space where
dedicated members of the Sangha can work at becoming
enlightened. A peaceful
environment where it is easy to be
mindful, to practice meditation, and
follow the Dharma.