Buddhism Monastery

gurubhaktulakonda buddhist monastery ruins @ ramatheertham



the tikse buddhist monastery in ladakh, india



tango monastery, bhutan

buddhist monasteries, known vihara, emerged sometime around 4th century bc, practice of vassa, retreat undertaken buddhist monks , nuns during south asian rainy season. prevent wandering monks disturbing new plant growth or becoming stranded in inclement weather, buddhist monks , nuns instructed remain in fixed location three-month period typically beginning in mid-july. outside of vassa period, monks , nuns both lived migratory existence, wandering town town begging food. these fixed vassa retreats held in pavilions , parks had been donated sangha wealthy supporters. on years, custom of staying on property held in common sangha whole during vassa retreat evolved more cenobitic lifestyle, in monks , nuns resided year round in monasteries.

in india, buddhist monasteries gradually developed centres of learning philosophical principles developed , debated; tradition preserved monastic universities of vajrayana buddhists, religious schools , universities founded religious orders across buddhist world. in modern times, living settled life in monastery setting has become common lifestyle buddhist monks , nuns across globe.

whereas monasteries considered have been held in common entire sangha, in later years tradition diverged in number of countries. despite vinaya prohibitions on possessing wealth, many monasteries became large land owners, monasteries in medieval christian europe. in china, peasant families worked monastic-owned land in exchange paying portion of yearly crop resident monks in monastery, feudal landlord. in sri lanka , tibet, ownership of monastery became vested in single monk, keep property within family passing on nephew ordained monk. in japan, civil authorities permitted buddhist monks marry, being head of temple or monastery became hereditary position, passed father son on many generations.

forest monasteries – commonly found in theravada traditions of southeast asia , sri lanka – monasteries dedicated study of buddhist meditation, rather scholarship or ceremonial duties. forest monasteries function christian monasteries, small groups of monks living hermit-like life gathered loosely around respected elder teacher. while wandering lifestyle practised buddha , disciples continues ideal model forest tradition monks in thailand , elsewhere, practical concerns- including shrinking wilderness areas, lack of access lay supporters, dangerous wildlife, , dangerous border conflicts- dictate more , more meditation monks live in monasteries, rather wandering.

tibetan buddhist monasteries known lamaseries , monks (mistakenly) known lamas. h. p. blavatsky s theosophical society named initial new york city meeting place lamasery.

some famous buddhist monasteries include:

donglin temple, jiangxi, china
jetavana, sravasti
nalanda, india
shaolin, china
tengboche, nepal

a further list of buddhist monasteries available @ list of buddhist temples

trends

some of largest monasteries in world buddhist. drepung monastery in tibet housed around 10,000 monks prior chinese invasion. today, relocated monastery in india houses around 8,000.

citation added ritah arishaba