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Buddhist Monasteries in India
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Arunachal
Pradesh Buddhist Monasteries
The largest state of northeast, Arunachal Pradesh is an abode of
some really significant Buddhist monasteries. A visit to them is
high on the list of any Buddhist tourist to the state. The most
significant of these monasteries are Tawang Monastery, Bomdila Monastery
and Urgelling Monastery. The first of these, established in 1860-61,
is the largest monastery of India and second largest in Asia. Just
five kilometres away from Tawang lies the Urgelling Monastery, the
birthplace of His Holi Highness, the sixth Dalai Lama. |
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Bihar
Buddhist Monasteries
Bihar is the place where 2500 years ago, under the Bodhi Tree of
Bodh Gaya, prince Gautama attained enligtenment and became Buddha
- 'one who is awake'. Today, this state of India is an important
destination for Buddhists around the world. The town of Bodh Gaya,
in particular, is one of the four holy places (others three being
Kushinagar, Saranath and Lumbini) where Buddhist pilgrims flock
in large number to pay their respect to the great Lord who renounced
all wordly pleasures to know the truth of life. |
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Jammu
Kashmir Buddhist Monasteries
The state of Jammu and Kashmir is divided into three regions on
the basis of topographical and cultural difference - Jammu, Kashmir
and Ladakh. The last one, Ladakh, is a cold desert and has population
that is majorly Buddhist. A number of monasteries in this region
make for a good visit for all those of you who intend to undertake
a Buddhist tourism in the state. These historic monasteries are
known as gompas and are a place for Buddhist nuns and monks to stay,
study and practice Buddhism.
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Monasteries
in Himachal Pradesh
Since long, Himachal Pradesh has been under the influence of Buddhism.
In the bygone era, a number of followers of Buddha came to this
state in search of peace and a place where they could meditate.
Post Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1949, the Dalai Lama of Tibet,
too, settled down in Himachal Pradesh. A trip to Himachal Pradesh,
therefore, is of paramount importance during your Buddhist tourism
to India.
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Monasteries
in Sikkim
One of the beautiful northeastern states of India, Sikkim is home
to around 200 Buddhist monasteries or gompas. A visit to these monasteries
and gompas is a must during your Buddhist trip to the country. The
most important amongst all these monasteries is, perhaps, the Rumtek
Monastery, the seat for the exiled Karmapa of Tibet. Apart from
this, other worthvisiting monasteries of the state include Pemayangtse
Monastery, Phensang Monastery, Phodang Monastery, Ralang Monastery,
Enchey Monastery, Tashiding Monastery and Yoksum Monastery.
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Monasteries
of Ladakh
Monasteries in Ladakh may be either of the Mahayana or the Hinayana
sect of Buddhism. The head lama is called a 'kushak', meaning reincarnation.
The monasteries of Ladakh are what give the region its unique flavor
and beauty. Typically, most gompas are built so that they perch
precariously on lone rocks or craggy mountain-faces. |
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