Vihara: an early style of Buddhist monastery with an open court surrounded by open cells accessible by an entrance porch. In India, viharas were initially built to house monks during the rainy season, when it became impossible for them to live the wanderer's life. As time went on, they were also used as schools and hospitals.
Buddhist monasteries served several purposes for Buddhism. First, they provided shelter for travelers who had nothing but their own body weight to protect them from the rain and heat of Indian summers. Second, they collected money to support the monks' community. And finally, they taught people about the Buddha and the path to enlightenment.
In addition to providing shelter and teaching resources, viharas also included meditation rooms where monks could practice mindfulness in peace. These aids to spiritual growth made Buddhist monasteries important centers of civilization in ancient India.
Today, most viharas have been turned into museums or temples. However, some remain intact and are used by monks as dwelling places.
In general, a vihara is a Buddhist renunciate monastery. Typical big locations with multiple viharas are the Ajanta Caves, Aurangabad Caves, Karli Caves, and Kanheri Caves. Some contained a neighboring chaitya, or worship hall. The vihara was initially intended to serve as a rain shelter for monks. As time passed, it became apparent that these shelters were also useful for other purposes, so they were gradually expanded into large caves with many rooms and corridors.
The word vihara means "monastery" or "convent" and refers to the main living quarters of a monastic order. In ancient India, there were several groups of monks who did not live in temples but in hermitages instead. These were called vihāras because they were separated from others by only one wall instead of two. Thus, a vihara is one side of a cave or similar structure used by monks as their residence and place of work.
There are different types of viharas used by various schools of Buddhism. But usually they include a central corridor leading to a series of chambers where each monk would have his own room. Sometimes there is also a small garden outside each chamber for relaxation or meditation.
In addition to these large viharas, there are also smaller viharas which can be found inside temples. These usually consist of only one large room with a balcony or terrace outside.
Viharas are permanent shelters built by monks and nuns. These are also referred to as monasteries. The first viharas were composed of wood, followed by brick. Today most viharas are made of concrete.
The word vihara means "monastery" or "retreat". In ancient India, the term vihara was used to refer to any monastery for Buddhist monks. However, over time this definition was changed so that now includes only those temples that are not belonging to a larger monastery or complex. Thus, some buildings that were originally viharas but now operate as museums or offices are no longer considered viharas.
In Buddhism, viharas are places where monks can stay in order to gain knowledge and insight into Dharma. They are not living quarters nor are they restaurants. Instead, viharas are places where monks can practice meditation, reflect on their experiences, and prepare themselves for future challenges.
There are three types of viharas: main vihara, annex vihara, and adhyatma vihara. A main vihara is where the senior monk lives and conducts all-day meetings with other monks and teachers. It is usually a large structure with many rooms that can accommodate up to 20 or 30 monks.
Buddhist viharas or monasteries are monks' dwellings, centers for religious activity and meditation, or centers of Buddhist instruction. The Buddhist canonical scriptures refer to five types of residences (Pancha Lenani), namely, Vihara, Addayoga, Pasada, Hammiya, and Guha, as suitable for monks. In addition, there are references to seven other types of institutions but they are not found in all schools of Buddhism.
In general, a vihara should be comfortable for the monk who wishes to live there and should provide him with the opportunity to practice diligently. The Buddha described the life of a monk as vinaya-vihara-sana-pradaksina-tissa-upadanam, meaning "the pursuit of vinaya [monastic discipline], refuge, health, wealth, knowledge, and liberation". He also said that those who seek a place of retreat, where they can practice undisturbed by the demands of the householder's life, should look for a vihara.
A vihara should be convenient for pilgrimage. The Buddha recommended that monks live near holy places so that they could go for prayer and meditation whenever needed. Also, living close to towns and cities will allow them to participate in its spiritual life by giving teachings and guidance to others.
A vihara should be secure from danger and destruction. Ancient temples were often protected by sacred symbols or animal figures made of stone or wood.
Various places of worship A temple will have a shrine as well as room for communal activities. A stupa is a burial mound designed to store relics of the Buddha or another major Buddhist teacher. Vihara (a monastery for monks or nuns who have elected to devote themselves to the Buddhist path).
A vihara is a house where Buddhism is practiced. It can be as simple as a small room with a kitchenette where a monk lives and prays, or it can be a large complex with hundreds of rooms and an extensive library.
In time-honored tradition, a new vihara is built each year by students from universities across America and Europe who participate in the Sangha A community of practitioners connected through monastic vows. The new building process begins with a retreat during which students construct temporary huts for themselves on a campus field. At the end of the month-long retreat, each student presents their vision for the new vihara to their peers and the construction process begins again with a new group of volunteers. In this way, generations of students have been involved in the building of future viharas.
The word "vihara" means "monastery" or "retreat center" and refers to the primary setting for Buddhist practice. However, today it also refers to any community of practitioners, regardless of gender or lineage, that engages in its own version of the Eightfold Path.
Noun. Buddhist monks congregate here. A Buddhist monastery (beginning capital letter)Every Buddhist should create one, also known as a Brahma Vihara. Of the four states of mind to be employed by every Buddhist, namely love, compassion, sympathetic happiness, and equanimity. These are the foundations of a happy life.
Brahma viharas are rooms or areas in Buddhist temples where monks can go to study or practice meditation. They usually contain only a lotus pedestal, a couch for sitting on, and a lamp. The word "vihara" means "room used for meditation". In ancient times, when monks traveled from place to place, they carried their possessions with them; thus the need arose for temporary shelters for sleep and meditation. It is said that the first Buddhist monasteries were nothing more than tents where our monks could meet to discuss the teachings they had heard from the Buddha himself. As time went by, after many changes, additions, and improvements, the Buddhist monastic community came to use these rooms as shelters where they could concentrate alone with their minds during their daily meditations.
In modern times, Buddhist temples often have larger buildings where priests live and conduct religious ceremonies. However, holy men in other religions often use caves, hermitages, or trees as places to reflect and pray. So too do some Buddhists, although not as much as others. Sometimes groups of monks will share such a room to reduce costs.
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