A Buddhist monastery in Thailand is known as a Vihara or a Wat.

Viharas are found all over Thailand, and may be very

ornate or very simple. These monasteries are the home to the members of

the Sangha – and although they may vary, they have

certain features in common. Remember that the idea of Monks having a “home” is

inaccurate – being a Bhikku means being a homeless

wanderer. The first Viharas were given to the Sangha as

places to rest during the rainy seasons!

The Shrine room is the centre of any monastery – here the monks

perform their puja every day – demonstrating their respect for the Buddha’s achievement. We make

offerings here as well. Traditionally shrine rooms face to the east – as

this is the direction that the Buddha was facing when he

became enlightened.

Offerings made at the Shrine will include

Flowers, Water, Incense, and Candles – there’s a

good reason for each one, can you remember what

they are?

Many Buddha Rupas are covered in Gold Leaf – this is

done by Lay Buddhists to show their respect – it gains

them merit as well!

As well as making Pujas, supporting the monks, and gilding Buddha rupas, there is a tradition

that members of the laity can gain merit through acts of

kindness to other creatures – these ladies are releasing caged birds, and fish in order to gain

merit.

Larger monasteries will also have a meeting hall, called a Sala Kanparien. This is

used by the monks for regular meetings, sharing

monastic discipline, chanting etc.

The Mondop is the monk’s library, that contains all our copies of

sacred texts – many of which are still written in the traditional

manner on long strips of paper, like this copy of the Tipitaka. This

Mondop is a particularly beautiful example, many are simple

buildings.

Many Viharas will also have a Bot – a

hall for the ordination ceremony for new

monks.

There are many important texts that

monks have to study – particularly the

Dhammapada, the Tripitaka, and of

course, the Vinaya Pitaka; the book of

rules for the monastic life.

Monks have so much to learn that the Vihara may also act as a school – and

not just about Buddhism, so there may be classrooms, and even computer suites!

The Kuti is the shelter where the monks live – this should just be a

simple structure – many forest monks just live in shacks. Here the Monks meditate, read, sleep, and

eat food from the alms round.

The laity gain merit by giving the monks their food on the alms round.

In the forest sangha, monks eat in the Kuti – although always before midday.

You can find out more detail about the symbolism of a stupa by reading

this powerpoint.

Most monasteries will have a stupa – originally

these buildings contained relics of the Buddha, and they still contain relics, but usually of important

meditation teachers.

Monks, and other Buddhists often walk around Stupas, to show that the Buddha is

at the centre of their lives.

Many monasteries will have a Bodhi tree shrine – these are often cuttings from the very tree

under which the Buddha achieved enlightenment.

This Bodhi tree is so ancient that it has absorbed the Buddha statue beneath it.

Many monasteries

will have large, outdoor

Buddha rupas – this is the

great, bronze Buddha at

Kamakura in Japan.

Never forget though, that the point of a

Vihara is to provide a space where

dedicated members of the Sangha can work at becoming

enlightened. A peaceful

environment where it is easy to be

mindful, to practice meditation, and

follow the Dharma.