Bodh Gaya Temple 3

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Photo collection presented in three parts. This is part 3 and covers residents of Sout-East Asia/Far East, country wise monasteries and Buddha images inside them. Part 1 covers temple overview and Buddha images inside main temple. Part 2 covers walk around temple inner courtyard, meditation garden etc. 80 feet Buddha image also called Great Buddha Statue is shown separately. Around 8pm outside temple entrance saw this group of East Europeans from Hungary etc meditating. Their leader told me they were Buddhists and gave me a nice talk on Indian thought and route to happy living.

Bhutanese child with his Grand Ma. Background is entrance to main temple. The purpose of this section is to show you pics of people of different nationalities, followers of Buddha for whom a trip to Bodh Gaya is a dream come true. Every country monastery shows Buddha in a different way. Wish someone can explain why. Fyi the followers of Buddha made his image some 400 years after he gave up his body.

Vietnmese devotees and monks with Bodhgaya temple in background. Note that all devotees are wearing a grey color gown or dress below which they wore clothese they usually wear. Wish someone could enlighten why Vietnamese wear grey color clothes.

A group of Tibetan monks clicked outside the temple - waiting for their tea to be ready.

A couple and son from Indonesia. Looked very devout to me. Father put his right hand up - wonder why.

A senior Buddhist monk reading out the Sutras to younger monks. They sat under the Bodhi Tree area ie just outside the temple on western side. You can see stupas behind.

Young Monks reading the Sutras. These are written in Tibetan.

Sri Lankan devotees praying within temple complex under guidance of a Monk. The railing that you see behind is Rajayatana (A kind of Forest Tree). Lord Buddha spent the seventh week after Enlightenment here meditating.

Burmese devotees at Animesa Locana or the Place of Unblinking Gazing. After Enlightenment Buddha spent the second week here staring unblinkingly at the Bodhi Tree. Devotees are trying to meditate. like the Buddha did.

Two Chinese devotees at temple entrance.

Two Japanese devotees at Rajgir. This is at Saptapani Guha. This is a garden in Rajgir where the First Buddhist Council was held. Garden sponsored by the Japanese government.

Leader of a German Buddhist group speaking to them outside Pragbodhi Caves in Dungershwari Hills. It is in the cave that Buddha spent six years meditating before he proceeded to Bodhgaya. Pictures of the caves can be seen in the Great Buddha Statue section.

Although this spot in the picture is behind the Bodhi tree, it is still revered  because, when the Buddha got enlightenment, six colored light radiated from the crown of his head making the entire space around him a space of wisdom. A Thai devotee sticking a thin gold strip paper on this spot since it is sacred. Both Thais and Burmese follow this tradition. That is why the railing has become golden in color.

This picture is of a monastery in Ayutthaya Thailand (originally known as Ayothaya which refers to the capital of Shri Ram). Here you see the Thais affix a thin gold stip paper on the Buddha images.

Thai Monastery ie about a 5 minute walk from the Bodhgaya temple. In 1957 that marked 2500 years of Lord Buddha the Government of Thailand established this monastery. The uposatha building is a replica of Wat Benjamabopitra (Marble Temple) a classical eg of Thai architecture.

Entrance to the Chinese monastery.

Entrance to the Sri Lankan monastery. This is 2 minutes walk from the main temple.

Board in Sri Lankan monastery that refers to the new complex ie self explainatory.

Lankan, Tibetan Dalai Lama monasteries are opposite temple entrance. If you walk down the road to Gaya you come the Thai monastery. Go inside a lane and you see Karma Temple. This Kadgyu Karma Tibetan Temple is beautiful, was opened some 20 years ago. The paintings were WOW to say the least. Temple wall is finely depicted with paintings of the evens of Buddha''s life.

This is the Daijokya Buddhist Temple, was inagurated in 1983. It is a 2 storey structure with a three storey Pagoda on the top in Japanese style. The steps were some climb.

This is Indosan Nipponji (Japanese Temple). Made in 1973 under the auspicies of KOKUSAI BUKKYO KYOKAI (Interational Buddhist Brotherhood Association). It is built on the pattern of an ancient Japanese wooden temple. Interior of temple depics paintings connected with life of Buddha. There is a School (for local children) and Bell within the same complex.

The Royal Bhutan Monastery is a few minutes away from the Japanese Temple. Every part of the wall and ceiling are used to depict the life events of Buddha. Walls were decorated with Clay-Carvings and in a variety of deep and fast colors.

Three Buddhas in Chinese monastery. The temple has three images of the Buddha  signifying the triple gems of the Buddha - namely , The Buddha himself, the Dharma which he preached and the Sangha which he constituted. They are also known as the triple wish fulfilling gems of Buddhist philosophy.

Buddha image inside the Sri Lankan monastery, The Mahabodhi Society of India ie the oldest Buddhist Society at Bodhgaya founded in 1891. Posture known as Dhyan Mudra.

Buddha image inside the Tibetan monastery which represents the Mahayana sect of Buddhism and where Tibetan monks reside. It was founded in 1934 and 100 metres away from main temple. Its architectural style is influenced with Tantrayana Buddhist Art and Paintings. A Dharmachakra Wheel big in size is located on the ground floor measuring about 200 quintals.

Buddha image inside the Kagyu Karma Tibetan Temple.

Buddha image inside the Daijokyo Buddhist Temple. The enshrined image has Buddha in the meditation posture made of Bronze from Japan. Posture known as Dhyan Mudra.

Buddha image inside Indosan Nipponji - Japanese Temple.

Buddha image inside the Bhutanese monastery.

The southern side walkway of the main temple has Buddha teachings on brass boards like this one.

Mahabodhi Temple at night. The entire Bodhgaya Temple pictures are dedicated to the followers of Buddha worldwide esp those from South-East Asia, Far East and India. Buddhanam Sarnam Gachanami. To see pictures of Bodhgaya Temple part 1 click here

This is the entrance to the Nepalese Temple.

This is the Burmese Vihara, was founded by Ven Nandumala in 1936. It consists of 2 worship halls, a meditation hall and a guest house for use of pilgrims.

Buddha images inside every monastery vary. This Astadhatu image of Buddha is inside the Thai monastery, posture known as Bhumi Mudra.

Buddha image inside the Nepalese monastery.

Bangladesh Buddhist Monastery. Was a bit surprised to see since Bangladesh is a Muslim country. Missed taking pictures of Vietnamese Temple or Vien Giac Institute and Dhammabodhi Vipassana Meditation Centre. This centre is about 6km from the main temple in the Magadh University Campus and run by the respected Dr S N Goneka. It conducts meditation courses twice a month except in May and June. Each session is for ten days.

Vietnamese monk and nun inside a shop at Bodhgaya. They were busy bargaining when I requested them to pose for a picture. More tourists to Bodhgaya means more demand for services, hotels, employment of locals which increases their income.

Sri Lankan devotees in a contemplative mood inside the Bodh Gaya temple complex. Their folded hands indicate bowing towards Buddha and also thanking Him for getting them there.

A young Chinese couple in Nalanda. Guide told me lots of Chinese visit the Huen Tsang Memorial in Nalanda. There is a separate section on the Memorial.

A Vietnamese lady inside the main temple with image of Buddha in the backdrop. Virtually every devotee (not monk) wanted such a picture to be taken. I must have taken atleast ten pictures for others, service to the Lord.

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