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vihāra
vihāra (Skt.; Pāli). Term meaning literally ‘dwelling’, but associated particularly with a Buddhist monastery. Originally, when monks and nuns used to wander through the countryside, settling down only during the rainy season, the term was used to designate an individual hut within the rainy season retreat. Later, with the establishment of permanent dwellings for the monks, the term came to indicate an entire monastery. For this reason, it is customary to refer to monasteries by this generic term, although in some countries, such as Thailand, it is reserved for a shrinehall. In the early period, monks of differing doctrinal affiliations lived side by side in the same vihāra. This would typically comprise individual cells arranged around a central courtyard very often enclosing a railed Bodhi Tree, a shrine room, and an ambulatory. As times changed, and the needs of the Saṃgha began to reflect growing institutionalization, some vihāras became enormously large, complex, and wealthy units with elaborate administrative hierarchies. Some, like Nālandā and Somapuri, developed into universities with many thousands of resident students. The modern Indian state of Bihar takes its name from the fact that Buddhist monasteries were abundant in the region.
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DAMIEN KEOWN. "vihāra." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. DAMIEN KEOWN. "vihāra." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-vihra.html DAMIEN KEOWN. "vihāra." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-vihra.html |
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Vihāra
Vihāra (Skt., ‘dwelling’). Originally a Buddhist monastic retreat during the rainy season, later becoming a permanent monastic establishment. The rock-carved vihāras of the Western Ghats, usually associated with a caitya hall, are among the earliest surviving examples of Buddhist architecture, though Jain vihāras (1st and 2nd cents. BCE) are found in Orissa. Of the rock-carved variety, Bhājā, dating from the early Śunga period (2nd cent. BCE) is a good example, consisting of a central rectangular chamber surrounded by individual cells. Later vihāras are simply an elaboration on this basic theme, in which a central courtyard (very often enclosing a railed Bo Tree, shrine room, and ambulatory) is encompassed by monks’ cells, sometimes reaching several storeys with veranda attached.
The vihāra is a fundamental feature of all Buddhist cultures. The Indian state of Bihar is so called because of the large number of vihāras which at one time covered the landscape. |
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JOHN BOWKER. "Vihāra." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN BOWKER. "Vihāra." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Vihra.html JOHN BOWKER. "Vihāra." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Vihra.html |
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vihara
vihara. Square or rectangular court surrounded by cells occupied by Buddhist monks: opposite the entrance one cell is usually reserved for a stupa.
Bibliography Prip-Möller (1937) |
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Cite this article
JAMES STEVENS CURL. "vihara." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JAMES STEVENS CURL. "vihara." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-vihara.html JAMES STEVENS CURL. "vihara." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-vihara.html |
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