The mahaparinirvana sutra tells us that it was the buddha himself who outlined the basic design of the stupa. Pha that luang is a buddhist stupa located just 5km from the centre of. Ive seen images of the boudhanath stupa and read that its one of the largest stupas in the world. I general introductory, survey, early history, texts from the pali canon. Namtha town in luang namtha province in northern laos is one such locale with a fascinating history including that during the indochina war. Mongkuts friends in the 1840s included many leading princes and nobles who similarly were excited by the west. Pha that luang is a buddhist stupa in vientiane, laos. A related architectural term is a chaitya, which is a prayer hall or temple containing a stupa in buddhism, circumambulation or pradakhshina has been an important ritual and.
Its fundamental unit is a solid hemispherical earthen mound called the egg anda or womb garbha. Lavishly illustrated with fullcolour photographs, this book is a pictorial that explores the spread of buddhism and stupa building across asia and india. Pha that luang vientiane, laos attractions lonely planet. The hemispherical form of the stupa appears to have derived from prebuddhist burial mounds in india. Legend has it that ashokan missionaries from india erected a taht stupa here to enclose a piece of buddhas breastbone as early as the 3rd century bc. Pha that luang, vientiane, laos asian historical architecture. The structure of the monument represents the physical presence of buddha. A stupa is a structure which is usually round and originally shaped like an upturned bell. The view from luang prabang city from this temple summit is magnificent. Pha that luang, vientiane, laos asian architecture.
The legend of the great stupa of boudhanath mchod rten chen po bya rung kha shor gyi lo rgyus thos pas grol ba is a padmasambhava treasure text, revealed by lhatsun ngonmo, then hidden again to be rediscovered by ngakchang sakya zangpo in the. Top 10 books on theravada buddhism watkins mind body. It is generally regarded as the most important national monument in laos and a national symbol. Vientiane authorities officially launched the fourth that luang stupa restoration project in the capital to return the national icon to its traditional glory in readiness for 450th anniversary celebrations. A complete tibetan pantheon of the fifteenth century ricca, franco, bue, erberto lo on. According to the gelugpa tradition on a historical level, every stupa commemorates and celebrates one of the eight main events of the life of buddha shakyamuni in our world. The swayambhunath stupa of kathmandu val ley is a famous pilgrimage and tourist site in nepal. The stupa is the oldest buddhist religious monument. This is confirmed, of which 33,902 are in current use, according to the office of national buddhism. You can enter inside the stupa for 5,000 kip, a small price to help with maintenance, and sometimes you.
It is believed that the current principal stupa of pha that luang was built in the 1566 century and to this day is the national symbol of laos. Our top10 lists aim to represent a particular topic through the selected outstanding books, balancing classic texts and latest titles, popular books and less known mustreads. Originally built in 1566 by king setthathirat, this 147foot tall buddhist monument was built in three tiers to represent the path to enlightenment. The 45 metres high that luang stupa or pha that luang was originally built during the ancient khmer civilisation, when vientiane was inhabited by people known as the cham. In prehistoric times, stupas were simply mounds of earth and stones tumuli places to bury important kings away from the village. A national symbol, which made it on the countrys official seal, the complex is believed to enshrine a breast bone of buddha brought by a hindu missionary sent by king ashoka as early as the third century ce. An impressive but slender 45 m 148 ft gilded structure surrounded by high walls, great sacred stupa pha that luang imposes itself with its beauty as a symbol of laostyle buddhism. Nagarjuna relates the eight stupas with specific events and places in the buddhas life in his astamahasthanacaityastotras. Pha that luang the great stupa or sacred reliquary is the most significant laotian religious and national monument. When visiting southeast asia, you will find a dazzling assortment of different religious buildings. Visit great sacred stupa pha that luang on your trip to. Pha that luang is a buddhist stupa located just 5km from the centre of vientiane in laos. The pha that luang, meaning great sacred stupa, is the most sacred monument of laos and the national symbol.
Buddhism is not only a way of life, we understand it more as a science, a very helpful knowledge which allows to determine, search, learn and bring out the truth and the nature of everything, of whatever we want to know. Convinced of the necessity of accommodation with the west, they took the. Buddhist stupa phra chedi architecture of thailand. After spending the whole morning in bhaktapur taking in the newari culture and hinduism, i set off to the boudhanath stupa, another unesco world heritage site, to get a slice of tibet and buddhism in nepal. Tracing indocambodian relations through magnificent stupa architecture part 2 over the centuries, there was a great influence of art, culture, literature, and architecture from india to cambodia. Your trip to visit this laoss laidback capital city would not be complete without paying a visit to that luang. The basic structure of a chorten consist of a square foundation symbolizing the earth. The restoration project launch ceremony took place at that luang stupa on sunday and was attended by vice president mr. The current structure was built by king setthathirat in 1566, after vientiane became the capital of laos. With each tier the student learns more buddhist teachings, narrows their focus, and comes closer to enlightenment. Sometimes these are solid, with no entrance, but most have a central chamber. That luang in vientiane is also called great stupa has become a destination of interest that attracts a huge number of visitors with increasing laos tours. Svelte and golden pha that luang, located about 4km northeast of the city centre, is the most important national monument in laos a symbol of buddhist religion and lao sovereignty. Despite the distinctive styles and diverse influences on buddhist art in thailand, it is a subject that has garnered little attention in the field of art history compared to the art of india, china, and cambodia.
A complete tibetan pantheon of the fifteenth century. That poum pouk and luang namtha stupas are now its main attractions, and both have structures that are similar to that luang in vientiane but are smaller. With a history that likely dates back to the third century ad, the 148foothigh 45 meterhigh golden stupa of pha that luang is laos most important religious. From the jacket buddhist stupas found throughout the indian subcontinent are significant attractions in the pilgrimage, tourist, attractions in the pilgrimage, tourist, and cultural landscape of south asia. In thailand they are called chedis, in myanmar, zedis and in laos, that. Visiting pha that luang in vientiane architecture of the. According to buddhist tradition, the sheltered young prince was shocked by the suffering he saw outside his palace walls, so he left his life of luxury to seek answers. Of the 33,902 active temples, 31,890 are of the maha nikaya and 1,987 are of the dhammayuttika nikaya orders of the theravada school, while 12 are of the chinese nikaya and are of the.
Pha that luang is a goldcovered large buddhist stupa in the centre of the city of vientiane, laos. Book your tickets online for great sacred stupa pha that luang, vientiane. History of buddhism buddhist history begins with the life and teachings of an indian prince named siddharta gautama, who lived around 500 bce. The great stupa the legend of the great stupa of boudhanath translation and commentary by keith dowman. In this lesson, well explore the history and architecture of this. A stupa is an ancient indian burial or reliquary monument. The current temple grounds were originally made up of three temples wat chedi luang, wat ho tham and wat sukmin. Stupas are small enough to place on a mantle or are huge buildings. After walking up 328 step to the summit of mt phousi situated at a elevation of 100 mtrs one arrives at the buddhist shrine wat chomsi built in 1804. That luang stupa a valuable treasure in laos laos tours. There are three main types of buddhist architecture, these being the teaching hall, the residence, and a particular round shaped building called a stupa. All buddhist stupas are pretty stunning, but pha that luang may take the cake.
Pha that luang in its current state consists of a lot of restorations as recently as the 1930s, but the original site dates back to the 3rd century. This design has been repeated in thailand, burma, and other countries where buddhism was taught by monks from sri lanka. The story of pha that luang became clear at the beginning of the 16th century, which is known among historians as the middle of the ancient lao period. King saysetthathirath ordered the construction of the current stupa in ad 1566, six years after designating vientiane as the capital of laos. Pha that luang is a sacred monument and one of laos most impressive religious structures. Stupas in the buddhist religion are a symbol best defined as a spiritual monument. Standing at 44 meters, pha that luang has a pinnacle covered in real gold, with a set of painted turrets surrounding its central stupa. As most characteristically seen at sanchi in the great stupa 2nd1st century bc, the monument consists of a circular base supporting a massive. None are more iconic than the stupas built to hold relics. Stupa is a sanskrit word that means to heap or to pile up and refers to the moundlike shape of the earliest stupas. That luang stupa restoration project underway laotian times. The origin of buddhist stupa and its culture journal. Since its initial establishment, suggested to be in the 3rd century, the stupa has undergone several reconstructions as recently as the 1930s due to foreign invasions of the area. The structure is a symbol of the path to enlightenment which encompasses the buddhas body, teachings and mind.
Photos and description of the architecture of pha that luang, vientiane, laos. The stupas of myanmar, thailand and laos architecture of. The western transformation of an ancient tradition. The stupa itself is unremarkable and similar to many you will see throughout laos, but there are a few buddhas and it does make for a nice photo. Heres a selection on theravada and general buddhism from watkins books shelves. Contemporary of this stupa, the thuparama at the ancient city of anuruddhapura built by king devanam piyatissa at 3 rd century b. Tracing indocambodian relations through magnificent stupa. Visiting pha that luang in vientiane architecture of the buddhist. The stupa, an architectural structure usually housing the cremated remains or possessions of important saintly figures, is considered to be the structural. The author, who trained as an architect, examines both the physical and metaphysical levels of these buildings, which derive their meaning and significance from buddhist and brahmanist influences. If you visit the capital, the pha thai luang is a mustsee. A close analysis of the architecture of the stupaa buddhist symbolic form that is found throughout south, southeast, and east asia.
Twentyfivehundred years ago, at the time of shakyamuni buddhas death, a change came about in the way stupas were regarded. It was founded in the 3rd century to house the breastbone of buddha, which was brought to laos by an indian missionary. Once symbols of the religious and cultural prominence of buddhism stupas subsequently also became a part of local or hindu worship patterns. But after a certain time, when cambodia and india become the. Stupa the history, philosophy and practice of buddhism. Atop the mound sits a solid square or rectangular shape, originally surrounded by a foursided railing, called the harmika, which may be a remnant of the days when the village altar stood inside a fenced enclosure. Stupa, buddhist commemorative monument usually housing sacred relics associated with the buddha or other saintly persons. Pha that luang is a goldcovered large buddhist stupa in the centre of the city of vientiane. Researchers believe the structure was originally a foursided stone obelisk. Buddhist stupas are sacred buddhist sites that attract large numbers of tourists due to their architectural beauty. Attempts to encapsulate the durable appeal of the stupa one of the oldest religious symbols still in use collide with the vast and varied history of stupa building. To build a stupa, transmissions and ceremonies from a buddhist teacher is necessary which kind of stupa to be constructed in a certain area is decided together with the teacher assisting in the construction sometimes the type of stupa chosen is directly connected with events that have taken place in the area treasury. You find it on the national seal, lao currency and countless other places.