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Buddhism: Living the Buddhist Life

Buddhist places of worship: temples, viharas and gompas

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Overview

The first viharas, gompas and stupas, a Japanese Mahayana temple, Triratna centres, the shrine room and why it faces east, the vihara library and the Kimsila Sutta, and lay use.

What you need to know

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Key term

What is a vihara?

Key term

How did the first viharas begin?

Key term

What is a gompa?

Questions from this subtopic

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  1. 1

    What is a vihara?

    Model answer

    A vihara is a Buddhist monastery, where monks or nuns live, practise and teach. The word means a dwelling place, and Theravada viharas welcome lay visitors.

  2. 2

    How did the first viharas begin?

    Model answer

    The Buddha's monks wandered for most of the year but stayed in one place for the rainy season. Lay supporters gave them parks and shelters, which became the first monasteries.

  3. 3

    What is a gompa?

    Model answer

    A gompa is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery or meditation hall. Gompas are often built in remote places and richly decorated with paintings.

  4. 4

    How is a Buddhist temple different from a vihara?

    Model answer

    A temple is a building for worship that houses images and relics, sometimes without resident monks. A vihara is first of all a home for a monastic community.

  5. 5

    What is a stupa?

    Model answer

    A stupa is a dome-shaped monument that holds relics of the Buddha or a great teacher. Buddhists walk around a stupa clockwise as an act of devotion.

  6. 6

    Describe a Japanese Mahayana temple.

    Model answer

    A Japanese temple often has a main hall with an image of the Buddha, a large bell and a pagoda. Zen temples usually add a meditation hall and a raked stone garden.

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