Buddhist Monasteries in India - Art and Culture Notes
Buddhist Monasteries, often known as Buddhist Temples, are a site of worship for Buddhists. In diverse areas and languages, these constructions are referred to as vihara, chaitya, stupa, wat, and pagoda. The most holy and sacred places in the country are temples. People travel from all over the world to visit monasteries in search of eternal tranquility. The life and teachings of Buddha are depicted in some of the monasteries. In this article, we will learn about important Buddhist monasteries/ temples in India which will be helpful in Indian Art and Culture preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.
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Table of Contents |
Buddhist Monasteries in India
| Buddhist Temples/ Monasteries | Location | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Mahabodhi Temple | Bihar |
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| Hemis Monastery | Leh in Jammu and Kashmir |
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| Tabo Monastery | Himachal Pradesh |
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| Tsuglagkhang Monastery | Himachal Pradesh |
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| Thiksey Monastery | Leh in Jammu and Kashmir |
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| Tawang Monastery | Arunachal Pradesh |
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| Bylakuppe Monastery (Namdroling) | Karnataka |
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| Shashur Monastery | Himachal Pradesh |
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| Ghoom Monastery | West Bengal |
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| Kye Gompa Monastery | Himachal Pradesh |
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| Lingdum Monastery | Sikkim |
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| Alchi Gompa Monastery | Leh, Jammu and Kashmir |
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| Shankar Monastery | Leh |
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| Matho Monastery | Leh |
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| Nako Monastery | Himachal Pradesh |
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| Rumtek Monastery | Sikkim |
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| Other Relevant Links | |
|---|---|
| Bodh Gaya | Kapilvastu |
| Kushinagar | Rajgir |
| Sarnath | Sravasti |
| Stupas | chaityas |
| viharas | Buddhist Monuments of South India |
Conclusion
In Buddhism, temples symbolise a Buddha's pure land or pure environment. Inner and outer peace are the goals of traditional Buddhist temples. The concept of a place of worship as a representation of the universe impacted the construction of temples in India. One towering temple is generally centrally positioned in Buddhist temple complexes, surrounded by lesser temples and walls.
FAQs
Question: What is the significance of Tawang monastery?
Answer:
It is India's largest monastery and the world's second-largest after the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.
Question: Where is the Ghoom Monastery located?
Answer:
Ghoom Monastery is the popular name of Yiga Choeling located in West Bengal
Question: What do you mean by the Drugpa sect?
Answer:
The Drukpa Kagyu, or simply Drukpa, lineage is a branch of Tibetan Buddhism's Kagyu school, frequently referred to as Dugpa or "Red Hat sect" in ancient sources. Bhutan's dominant school and state religion is the Drukpa lineage.
MCQs
Question: Consider the following statements about Bylakuppe Monastery:
- It is the world's largest teaching centre for Tibetan Buddhism.
- It is located in Bylakuppe, Karnataka,
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) See The Explanation
Bylakuppe Monastery is the world's largest teaching centre for the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. It's in the Karnataka town of Bylakuppe. Hence, both the statements are correct.
Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.
Question: Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct regarding the Hemis Monastery?
- It is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Drukpa Lineage.
- This monastery is well-known for the Guru Padmasambhava festival.
Select the correct option from below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) See The Explanation
Hemis Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Drukpa Lineage. This monastery is well-known for its yearly Guru Padmasambhava festival, which takes place in June-July. Hence, both the statements are correct.
Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.
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