Ancient Buddhist Sites

Pictures of revered teachers, places, rupas, temples, bhikkhus, shrine rooms etc. that bring inspiration to our members. Pilgrimage advice, devotion etc.
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Dharmic
Posts: 64
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2017 7:17 am

Ancient Buddhist Sites

Post by Dharmic »

Hi,

I'm starting this thread to post information and discuss about various ancient Buddhist sites from all over the world and to learn about the history,art,culture etc. associated with these places.

Downloadable informative & travel books from Indian Government's Tourism Department about famous Buddhist centers in ancient India:

To download : Right click and select Save Link As

Walking with the Buddha - Part 1
Walking with the Buddha - Part 2
Walking with the Buddha - Part 3
Book Cover

Some ancient sites from Southern India - Mauryan period onwards

Map
Map info.


Recently a member posted info. about the different shapes of holy Stupas in Sri Lanka.
- Bubble shaped (Bubbulaakara)
- Paddy heap (Dhaanyaakara)
- Bell shaped (Ghantaakara)
- Pot shaped (Ghataakara)
- Lotus shaped (Padmaakara)

A selection of shapes from Sri Lanka.

https://roar.lk/srilanka-life/five-main ... an-stupas/
Another way of classifying from Wiki:
Types of stupas
Built for a variety of reasons, Buddhist stupas are classified based on form and function into five types:

- Relic stupa, in which the relics or remains of the Buddha, his disciples, and lay saints are interred.
- Object stupa, in which the items interred are objects belonged to the Buddha or his disciples, such as a begging bowl or robe, or important Buddhist scriptures.
- Commemorative stupa, built to commemorate events in the lives of Buddha or his disciples.
- Symbolic stupa, to symbolize aspects of Buddhist theology.
- Votive stupa, constructed to commemorate visits or to gain spiritual benefits, usually at the site of prominent stupas which are regularly visited.
:anjali:
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gavesako
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Re: Ancient Buddhist Sites

Post by gavesako »

Around 10,000 photographs of Buddhist archeological sites, pilgrimage centres, and temples in SE Asia, as well as Videos, Maps, Posters, etc.

http://www.photodharma.net/
Bhikkhu Gavesako
Kiṃkusalagavesī anuttaraṃ santivarapadaṃ pariyesamāno... (MN 26)

Access to Insight - Theravada texts
Ancient Buddhist Texts - Translations and history of Pali texts
Dhammatalks.org - Sutta translations
Dharmic
Posts: 64
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2017 7:17 am

Re: Ancient Buddhist Sites

Post by Dharmic »

gavesako wrote:Around 10,000 photographs of Buddhist archeological sites, pilgrimage centres, and temples in SE Asia, as well as Videos, Maps, Posters, etc.

http://www.photodharma.net/
:twothumbsup:
Thank you Ven.Gavesako.
rajitha7
Posts: 338
Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2016 3:14 am

Re: Ancient Buddhist Sites

Post by rajitha7 »

Seruwila Mangala Raja Maha Vihara - Origin 2nd Century B.C

Seruwila Mangala Raja Maha Vihara is an ancient temple which is among the sixteen holiest Buddhist shrines [Solomathana] in Sri Lanka.
It is reachable both from road and sea. Sea route begins at Trincomalee to Muttur on boat and another 16 km by roads. Land route is via Kantalai, to Allai which is approximately 45 km through dense forest.

More -> here

The following ceremony was held at Seruwila Temple to mark the occasion when the blessed Buddha' Lalata Dhatu (Frontal Bone) was shown to the public.

https://youtu.be/gOHNkgx-5BQ
It's all -> here
Dharmic
Posts: 64
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2017 7:17 am

Re: Ancient Buddhist Sites

Post by Dharmic »

Hi Rajitha,

Thanks for posting about Seruwila Raja Maha Vihara.

From these sketches it seems that there is a small hollow space at the center of the Stupa. Are relics placed there before construction is begun and later the Stupa is built around the relics?
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These ancient Stupas are colossal! We can get an idea of their size by looking at the people standing near their bases!
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Dharmic
Posts: 64
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2017 7:17 am

Re: Ancient Buddhist Sites

Post by Dharmic »

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Dharmic
Posts: 64
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Re: Ancient Buddhist Sites

Post by Dharmic »

Cont'd
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rajitha7
Posts: 338
Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2016 3:14 am

Re: Ancient Buddhist Sites

Post by rajitha7 »

Dharmic wrote:Hi Rajitha,

Thanks for posting about Seruwila Raja Maha Vihara.

From these sketches it seems that there is a small hollow space at the center of the Stupa. Are relics placed there before construction is begun and later the Stupa is built around the relics?
I was involved in a ceremony where they placed items in the chamber of a Stupa. Each of us gave a small statue of the lord Buddha.

Back in the day precious metals and stones etc were placed in the chamber by wealthy landlords and kings.
It's all -> here
SarathW
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Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2012 2:49 am

Re: Ancient Buddhist Sites

Post by SarathW »

Back in the day precious metals and stones etc were placed in the chamber by wealthy landlords and kings.
This is a recipe for disaster. Thieves destroy stupa to steal the valuables.
I think what should be deposited is the Buddhist text for future generation.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
Dharmic
Posts: 64
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2017 7:17 am

Re: Ancient Buddhist Sites

Post by Dharmic »

rajitha7 wrote: I was involved in a ceremony where they placed items in the chamber of a Stupa. Each of us gave a small statue of the lord Buddha.

Back in the day precious metals and stones etc were placed in the chamber by wealthy landlords and kings.
Hi Rajitha,

Thanks for the info. and happy to know that you participated in this rare event.

:anjali:
Dharmic
Posts: 64
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2017 7:17 am

Re: Ancient Buddhist Sites

Post by Dharmic »

SarathW wrote:
Back in the day precious metals and stones etc were placed in the chamber by wealthy landlords and kings.
This is a recipe for disaster. Thieves destroy stupa to steal the valuables.
Hi Sarath,

You are right, it is better to avoid depositing any precious things.
I think what should be deposited is the Buddhist text for future generation.
I agree. I would be good if in every Stupa at least one text is deposited along with other things. This actually works.

In the Dunhuang hoard thousands of Buddhist texts (some of which were assumed to be lost forever) were discovered.

Another is the Gilgit manuscripts. These survived for more than fifteen hundred years and were even shifted to safer places to protect them from aerial bombings during two wars but were destroyed when the museum storing them was flooded. :rolleye: I hope there are some duplicate copies somewhere.

:anjali:
Dharmic
Posts: 64
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2017 7:17 am

Re: Ancient Buddhist Sites

Post by Dharmic »

Māti Posaka Jātaka : Bodhisatta's love for his mother
The Master said, addressing the Brethren,
"Be not wroth, Brethren, with this man; wise men there have been of old, who even when born from the womb of animals, being parted asunder from their mothers, refused for seven days to take food, pining away; and even when they were offered food fit for a king, did but reply,
Without my mother I will not eat; took food again when they saw the mother."
Ajanta Cave 17 : http://www.photodharma.net/India/Ajanta ... aves-2.htm#
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:anjali:
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