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1. Wat Rong Khung, Thailand
By the end of the twentieth century, Thailand’s Wat Rong Khun was in disrepair. As an offering to the Buddha, a local artist used his own money to rebuild it—in white.
Photo by William R. Pugsley / Flickr
2. Tongdosa, Korea
Tongdosa in Korea houses relics that are believed to have come from the Buddha, including his begging bowl.
Photos: Sean Hsu / stock.Adobe.com; hin255 / stock.Adobe.com;
3. Dambulla, Sri Lanka
Dambulla is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. It dates back to the first century BCE.
© Anil Dave / Dreamstime.com
4. Kek Lok Si, Malaysia
During Chinese New Year celebrations, Malaysia’s Kek Lok Si is decorated with thousands of lanterns representing donations from devotees.
Photo by by zhuxiaophotography / stock.Adobe.com
5. Mahabodhi Mahavihara, India
The Mahabodhi Mahavihara in India marks the location where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.
Photo by happystock / stock.Adobe.com
6. Borobudur, Indonesia
Construction of Indonesia’s Borobudur began in the late eighth century. Its architecture represents the path to enlightenment.
Yakov Oskanov / Alamy Stock Photo
7. Burkhan Bakshin Altan Sume, Russia
Burkhan Bakshin Altan Sume is in Kalmykia, Russia, the only Buddhist-majority region in Europe.
Photo by by zhuxiaophotography / stock.Adobe.com
8. Fanjingshan Temple, China
China’s Fanjingshan Temple is actually two temples connected by a bridge. One honors Shakyamuni Buddha. The other honors Maitreya, the future buddha.
Akarapong Suppasarn / stock.Adobe.com
9. Kiyomizu-dera, Japan
Japan’s Kiyomizu-dera was established in 778. Tradition has it that a priest received a vision telling him to construct it at this site where there is a waterfall.
Tram Lyrattanak / shutterstock.com
10. Watt Munisotaram, Minnesota
Watt Munisotaram in Minnesota is the largest Buddhist monastery in North America.
Picturific / stock.Adobe.com
11. Paro Taktsang, Bhutan
Paro Taktsang is perched on a cliffside in Bhutan. It’s said the great Buddhist teacher Padmasambhava practiced and taught at this site in the eighth century.
Photo by Daniel Fleck / Adobe Stock
12. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Angkor Wat in Cambodia was constructed in 1150 CE as a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Vishnu. It was gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple.
The post 12 Extraordinary Buddhist Temples & Monasteries appeared first on Lion’s Roar.
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