2. 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!
3. 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.
4. 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?
5. Many Buddha Rupas are
covered in Gold Leaf – this is
done by Lay Buddhists to show
their respect – it gains them
merit as well!
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Many Viharas will also
have a Bot – a hall for
the ordination
ceremony for new
monks.
10. 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.
11. 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!
12. 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.
13. The laity gain merit by giving the monks their food on
the alms round.
14. In the forest sangha, monks eat in the Kuti – although
always before midday.
15. 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.
You can find out more detail about the
symbolism of a stupa by reading this
powerpoint.
16. Monks, and other Buddhists often walk
around Stupas, to show that the Buddha is at
the centre of their lives.
17. Many monasteries will have a Bodhi tree shrine –
these are often cuttings from the very tree under
which the Buddha achieved enlightenment.
18. This Bodhi tree is so ancient that it has absorbed
the Buddha statue beneath it.
19. Many
monasteries
will have large,
outdoor
Buddha rupas –
this is the
great, bronze
Buddha at
Kamakura in
Japan.
20. 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.
