Buddhist Practices

Six Perfections

• Generosity/Giving: selfless desire to benefit others with no expectation of reward

• Morality: following 5 precepts and the following 5 for Mahayana Buddhists

• Patience: ability to tolerate and endure personal hardship and suffering and the face of those who show you anger

• Energy: making a courageous effort to reach enlightenment by deepening practice

• Meditation

• Wisdom: insight into the true nature of reality, realisation of sunyata

Six Perfections Importance

• Offer a Buddhist a means to follow the Dhamma and attain enlightenment
  Pali Canon: “How many bases for training are there for those seeking enlightenment?” The Buddha replied “There are six; generosity, morality, patience, energy, meditation and wisdom”
  Buddhists have a clear path to enlightenment

• Give guidelines
  Offer a structure to life
  Encourages skilful, moral actions

5 Moral Precepts

• Abstain from taking life (killing)

• Abstain from taking what is not freely given (stealing)

• Abstain from misuse of the senses

• Abstain from intoxicants that cloud the mind

• Refrain from wrong speech

Breaking Precepts

• No divine being to judge a Buddhists actions

• Unskilful to break a precept

• Should reflect but not dwell on their actions

• Learn from their mistake and move on

• Argued that they are a relative form of morality

• Sometimes more good comes from breaking a precept

• Ethics is rooted in intention, they must want to do the act

5 Moral Precepts Importance

• Offer guidelines and suggested ways of living
  Buddhist Monastics: “The five precepts are formulated in such a way that they provide a practice, clear-cut set of standards”
  Offers a structure to life
  Encourages moral/skilful actions

• Overcome the 3 poisons
  Viewed as a prescription for treating human condition
  Self-healing machine

Is it possible to live by the 5 Precepts today? YES

• They aren’t an absolute guide to Buddhist morality
  Can be adapted

• Quite reasonable and undemanding
  Common sense for most people
  On the basis of many laws in society

• Most people want a happy lifestyle
  Allow society to be built on a solid foundation

Is it possible to live by the 5 Precepts today? NO

• Culture of contemporary society in Buddhist and West countries is perceived as materialistic and individualistic
  Out of date with modern attitudes

• A life of pleasure, gossip and theft seems more appealing to some people, rather than refraining from these acts

Practice and Significance of Death Ceremonies

• Concerning death is rooted in the principle of rebirth

• Death is not seen as the end, it is a period of transition

Tibetan Death Ceremonies

• Commonly hold a sky funeral
  Place the deceased body at a high point as a gift to the vultures
  Tibetan Buddhists believe vultures aid the process of rebirth

Pure Land/Japan Death Ceremonies

• Commonly hold a funeral service
  Body is in the coffin facing west
  Chant “Namo Amida Bu”
  May also read from the Lotus Sutra

Theravada Death Ceremonies

• Focus on transfer of merit
  Funds are donated/used for worthy causes to generate positive karma
  Karma is transferred to the deceased for a favorable rebirth
  Most likely to cremate the deceased

Importance of Death Ceremonies

• Provide comfort
  Parable of the Mustard Seed which teaches anicca and that death is unavoidable
  Mourners come together and acknowledge death to begin the grieving process

• Allow for positive karma to be gained
  Acts of generosity by the mourners gives the deceased karma to aid their rebirth

Temples

• Vary in shape and size
  Often at the heart of Buddhist communities
  Some just have a building, others lots of different buildings

Main Hall

• A place for Buddhists to come together

• House a statue of Buddha/Bodhisattva

• Found in a temple

Halls for Meditation

• Quiet place for Buddhists to meditate

• May house a Buddha Rupa or a shrine

• Found in a temple

Shrine

• A focal area

• Usually dedicated to a statue of Buddha/Bodhisattva

• Found in temples

• Make offerings as a sign of respect and gratitude to the Buddha
  Can also symbolise Buddhist teachings - offering flowers will remind Buddhists of Anicca

• Contains candle and incense burner

Stupa

• A tiered tower containing holy relics

• Found in temples

Monasteries

• House a community of Buddhist monks/nuns (sangha)
  Chosen to widthdraw themselves from mainstream society
  Must cater for all their needs
  Allow the lay community to contact monks/nuns
  Some also will house a stupa

Halls for Learning (Gompas)

• Only found in Tibetan Buddhism

• Often remote

• Place where Buddhists learn, seek guidance and perform in spiritual practice

Aims of Visualisation

• Imagine an object in their mind in as much detail as possible

Methods of Visualisation

• Practiced by Tibetan Buddhists

• Visualise a deity (someone who is fully enlightened)

• Focus on their appearance and nature

• Hope that by imagining themselves like that deity they will become like them.

• May use a thangka or mandala to symbolise different things like the Pure Land or Buddha

Popular Visualisations: Medicine Buddha, Avalokitshvara, Amitabha

Importance of Visualisations

• Aid understanding of Buddhist concepts/teachings
  Dhammapada: “All conditioned phenomena are impermeant”
  Using mandalas helps to understand the concept of anicca by brushing the sand away after completion

• Develop desirable character traits
  Visualising Bodhisattvas helps to grow in karuna (one of the 4 sublime states which Buddha said all Buddhists should have)

Aims of Samatha Meditation

• Leads to a more tranquil, settled and restful mind
  Enables deeper concentration

Methods of Samatha Meditation

• Mindfulness of breathing
  Close attention to the sensation of their breathing

• Use a variety of objects/kasinas
  Focus their attention to enable calming of the mind

Examples of Objects: Water, fire, red or yellow

Importance of Samatha Meditation

• Allows a Buddhist to let go of craving
  Dhammapada: “Those on the meditative path, will be released from Maras fetter”
  Practicing samatha —> overcome craving —> path to Nibbana

• Calms the mind
  Concentrating on one object frees themself from distraction and they can prepare for understanding the true nature of reality

Aims of Vipassana Meditation

• Insight meditation
  Allows them to penetrate and gain an insight to the nature of reality
  Aids understanding of how nature is characterised by the 3 marks of existence

Methods of Vipassana Meditation

• Everything can be explored rather than just one object
  May change focus from their body to the sound of rain etc
  Mostly performed sitting but sometimes whilst walking

• Popular method of meditation in Zen Buddhism
  Practice zazen
  Leads to a deeper understanding of the nature of existence

Importance of Vipassana Meditation

• Clarity and possible realisation
  Basho: “When your consciousness has become ripe… pure like clear water…realisation is possible”
  Practicing Vipassana meditation —> attaining the goal of Nibbana

• Allows accumulation of good merit, for positive karma
  Meditation is deemed an act of punna/merit
  Opportunity to gain positive karma for a fortunate rebirth

Samatha vs Vipassana: SAMATHA

• Many argue samatha is the easiest form of meditation
  Practice is then open to more people
  Methods and aims are simple, may be useful but dont require an extensive understanding
  Performed simply by focusing on water or white space

• Proven to have positive effects on mental health
  Foundations of many mindfulness programmes in schools, prisons and hospitals
  A way to overcome stress, depression and anxiety
  Useful for Buddhists and non Buddhists

• However some argue it may lead to development of Rattling Hypothesis
  Engaging in meditation for a long time without correct supervision or guidance leads to remembering trauma

• However, there are 2 other folds to follow besides meditation : ethics and wisdom

Samatha vs Vipassana: VIPASSANA

• Most Buddhists goal is to achieve Nibbana
  Isnt possible without understanding the true nature of reality - through overcoming craving and ignorance
  Buddha: “Nibbana… the cessation of suffering…the cessation of craving…the freedom from it”
  Samatha can only aid this process, Vipassana is the only way to gain this insight

• However, the methods of Vipassana are difficult to practice
  Need an understanding of key Buddhist doctrine to fully engage
  Without guidance, difficult to comprehend

Samatha vs Vipassana: BOTH

• Both are just as important as each other
  All meditation forms compliment and aid spiritual progress

• Buddha practiced both methods
  Just as important as each other

• Buddha taught the notion of skilful means
  Everyone is different
  Each individual must choose the method of meditation most suited to them
  Just as important as each other

Celebrating Wesak

• Theravada Buddhists in Singapore
  Freeing animals from cages
  Symbolise liberation and remember Buddhas release from samsara

• Theravada Buddhists in Indonesia
  Lighting and releasing paper lanterns
  Symbolise how Buddhas Dhamma can be used to overcome darkness of ignorance and light the path to enlightenment

Wesak Importance

• Affords Buddhists the opportunity to remember Buddha
  Remembering his birth, enlightenment and passing into parinirvana (death)

• Reminds/teaches key aspects of the Dhamma
  Dhammapada: “All conditioned phenomena are impermanent”
  By engaging in celebration practices (releasing caged animals) Buddhists remember anicca

Celebrating Parinirvana Day

• Some Mahayana Buddhists treat it as a solemn occasion
  Reflect upon their own immorality and remember those who have died
  Go to a retreat or meditate

• Other Mahayana Buddhists perform pilgrimage (yatra)
  Visit the site of Buddhas death, Kushinagar
  Visit the temple complex and perform puja to thank and remember the Buddha and his death

Parinirvana Day Importance

• Affords Buddhists the opportunity to remember Buddha
  Remembering his passing into parinirvana (death)

• Reminds/teaches key aspects of the Dhamma
  Dhammapada: “All conditioned phenomena are impermanent”
  By engaging in celebration practices (meditating on an offering of a flower) Buddhists remember anicca

Retreat Examples

• Tara Buddhist Meditation Centre (UK)

• Samatha Centre (UK)

• Bodh Gaya (India, Place of Buddhas enlightenment)

• Kushinagar (India, Death of Buddha)

Retreats Importance

• Affords Buddhists the opportunity to remember Buddhas life
  Kushinagar —> reflect on Buddhas death and how if the Buddha escaped samsara, they may too

• Allow Buddhists to engage in Buddhist practice
  Meditation center —> engage in Samatha, Metta, Vipassana meditation
  Dhammapada: “Those on the meditative path will be released from Maras fetter”
  Freedom from craving is a goal for Buddhists

Practice and Significance of Death Ceremonies

• Concerning death is rooted in the principle of rebirth

• Death is not seen as the end, it is a period of transition

Tibetan Death Ceremonies

• Commonly hold a sky funeral
  Place the deceased body at a high point as a gift to the vultures
  Tibetan Buddhists believe vultures aid the process of rebirth

Pure Land/Japan Death Ceremonies

• Commonly hold a funeral service
  Body is in the coffin facing west
  Chant “Namo Amida Bu”
  May also read from the Lotus Sutra

Theravada Death Ceremonies

• Focus on transfer of merit
  Funds are donated/used for worthy causes to generate positive karma
  Karma is transferred to the deceased for a favorable rebirth
  Most likely to cremate the deceased

Importance of Death Ceremonies

• Provide comfort
  Parable of the Mustard Seed which teaches anicca and that death is unavoidable
  Mourners come together and acknowledge death to begin the grieving process

• Allow for positive karma to be gained
  Acts of generosity by the mourners gives the deceased karma to aid their rebirth

Temples

• Vary in shape and size
  Often at the heart of Buddhist communities
  Some just have a building, others lots of different buildings

Main Hall

• A place for Buddhists to come together

• House a statue of Buddha/Bodhisattva

• Found in a temple

Halls for Meditation

• Quiet place for Buddhists to meditate

• May house a Buddha Rupa or a shrine

• Found in a temple

Shrine

• A focal area

• Usually dedicated to a statue of Buddha/Bodhisattva

• Found in temples

• Make offerings as a sign of respect and gratitude to the Buddha
  Can also symbolise Buddhist teachings - offering flowers will remind Buddhists of Anicca

• Contains candle and incense burner

Stupa

• A tiered tower containing holy relics

• Found in temples

Monasteries

• House a community of Buddhist monks/nuns (sangha)
  Chosen to widthdraw themselves from mainstream society
  Must cater for all their needs
  Allow the lay community to contact monks/nuns
  Some also will house a stupa

Halls for Learning (Gompas)

• Only found in Tibetan Buddhism

• Often remote

• Place where Buddhists learn, seek guidance and perform in spiritual practice

Aims of Visualisation

• Imagine an object in their mind in as much detail as possible

Methods of Visualisation

• Practiced by Tibetan Buddhists

• Visualise a deity (someone who is fully enlightened)

• Focus on their appearance and nature

• Hope that by imagining themselves like that deity they will become like them.

• May use a thangka or mandala to symbolise different things like the Pure Land or Buddha

Popular Visualisations: Medicine Buddha, Avalokitshvara, Amitabha

Importance of Visualisations

• Aid understanding of Buddhist concepts/teachings
  Dhammapada: “All conditioned phenomena are impermeant”
  Using mandalas helps to understand the concept of anicca by brushing the sand away after completion

• Develop desirable character traits
  Visualising Bodhisattvas helps to grow in karuna (one of the 4 sublime states which Buddha said all Buddhists should have)

Aims of Samatha Meditation

• Leads to a more tranquil, settled and restful mind
  Enables deeper concentration

Methods of Samatha Meditation

• Mindfulness of breathing
  Close attention to the sensation of their breathing

• Use a variety of objects/kasinas
  Focus their attention to enable calming of the mind

Examples of Objects: Water, fire, red or yellow

Importance of Samatha Meditation

• Allows a Buddhist to let go of craving
  Dhammapada: “Those on the meditative path, will be released from Maras fetter”
  Practicing samatha —> overcome craving —> path to Nibbana

• Calms the mind
  Concentrating on one object frees themself from distraction and they can prepare for understanding the true nature of reality

Aims of Vipassana Meditation

• Insight meditation
  Allows them to penetrate and gain an insight to the nature of reality
  Aids understanding of how nature is characterised by the 3 marks of existence

Methods of Vipassana Meditation

• Everything can be explored rather than just one object
  May change focus from their body to the sound of rain etc
  Mostly performed sitting but sometimes whilst walking

• Popular method of meditation in Zen Buddhism
  Practice zazen
  Leads to a deeper understanding of the nature of existence

Importance of Vipassana Meditation

• Clarity and possible realisation
  Basho: “When your consciousness has become ripe… pure like clear water…realisation is possible”
  Practicing Vipassana meditation —> attaining the goal of Nibbana

• Allows accumulation of good merit, for positive karma
  Meditation is deemed an act of punna/merit
  Opportunity to gain positive karma for a fortunate rebirth

Samatha vs Vipassana: SAMATHA

• Many argue samatha is the easiest form of meditation
  Practice is then open to more people
  Methods and aims are simple, may be useful but dont require an extensive understanding
  Performed simply by focusing on water or white space

• Proven to have positive effects on mental health
  Foundations of many mindfulness programmes in schools, prisons and hospitals
  A way to overcome stress, depression and anxiety
  Useful for Buddhists and non Buddhists

• However some argue it may lead to development of Rattling Hypothesis
  Engaging in meditation for a long time without correct supervision or guidance leads to remembering trauma

• However, there are 2 other folds to follow besides meditation : ethics and wisdom

Samatha vs Vipassana: VIPASSANA

• Most Buddhists goal is to achieve Nibbana
  Isnt possible without understanding the true nature of reality - through overcoming craving and ignorance
  Buddha: “Nibbana… the cessation of suffering…the cessation of craving…the freedom from it”
  Samatha can only aid this process, Vipassana is the only way to gain this insight

• However, the methods of Vipassana are difficult to practice
  Need an understanding of key Buddhist doctrine to fully engage
  Without guidance, difficult to comprehend

Samatha vs Vipassana: BOTH

• Both are just as important as each other
  All meditation forms compliment and aid spiritual progress

• Buddha practiced both methods
  Just as important as each other

• Buddha taught the notion of skilful means
  Everyone is different
  Each individual must choose the method of meditation most suited to them
  Just as important as each other

Kamma

• Actions impact happiness/suffering in the present and the future

• People are rewarded/punished by their action, not for it

• Empowering —> change the future through their actions

• Skilful actions —> happier life now and in their future rebirth

• Benefits the individual and society because they act in a kinder way to everyone

Kamma Importance

• Impacts a Buddhists present life
  Pali Canon: “If one speaks or acts with a wicked mind, because of that, pain follows one. If one speaks or acts with a good mind, because of that, happiness follows one”
  Buddhists try to perform skilful acts to gain positive karma

• Impacts a Buddhists rebirth
  Pali Canon: “Beings who were endowed with bad conduct have re-appeared in a bad destination… But beings who were endowed with good conduct have re-appeared in a good destination”
  Buddhist will try live in accordance to the 8fold path
  ‘Right’ conduct to ensure a favorable rebirth

Rebirth

• Notion of ‘rebecoming’
  Believe in anatta - no fixed soul
  Sum total of their karmic energy which is reborn rather than a soul

Rebirth Importance

• Gives hope
  Pali Canon: “Beings who were endowed with good conduct have re-appeared in a good destination”
  Hope that if their current life is full of dukkha, their next one will be less so

• Gives comfort
  Mourners may find believing their loved one isn’t gone forever, just is continuing their journey in another form

Compassion/Karuna

• Compassion that Buddhists show for the suffering of everyone in the world

• Feeling concerned for those who are suffering

• Wanting suffering of others to be removed

• Buddhists will do what they can to try remove it

• Teaches that a Buddhist should care and show compassion for themselves and others

Compassion Importance

• One of the 4 sublime states that all Buddhists should develop
  Explain how a Buddhist should act towards others and themselves
  Skilful actions reduce the dukkha in the world

• Positive effect on society
  Dalai Lama: “The key to a happier and more successful world is the growth of compassion”
  If everyone acted this way, suffering would be reduced
  Supporting ROKPA (a Buddhist charity founded on compassion)

Loving-Kindness/Metta

• Buddhists show a loving, kind, friendly attitude to everyone

• Expression of the wish that all beings are happy and free from suffering

• Selfless attitude
  Shouldn’t expect anything back

• Form the basis of metta meditation
  5 step process which may involve visualisation of people being happy or people posing the metta attitude

Metta Importance

• One of the 4 sublime states that all Buddhists should develop
  Explain how a Buddhist should act towards others and themselves
  Skilful actions reduce the dukkha in the world

• Positive effect on society
  Pali Canon: “One should cultivate towards all beings and all the world loving-kindness”
  Metta helps get rid of the 3 poisons, thus reducing causes/acts of suffering

Metta vs Karuna

• Metta is a general desire for all being to be happy

• Karuna arises when metta comes into contact with another being
  Example: Act to help reduce suffering

Temples

• Allow the Buddhist community to join together
  Developing a sense of belonging
  Deepen and inspire faith

• Allow for acts of devotion
  Offerings, pilgrimage
  Temple marks the spot of Buddhas death
  Pali Canon: “Buddhists should visit Kushinagar, the place of Buddhas passing in Nibbana without remainder”

Shrines

• Remind Buddhists of key teachings/concepts
  Using an offering of flowers reminds Buddhists of anicca
  Dhammapada: “All conditioned phenomena are impermanent”

• Their upkeep is considered skilful activity
  Rinpoche teaches that skilful activities allow the mind to focus on spiritual practices and accumulates positive kamma

Monasteries (Viharas)

• Allow the laity to develop positive kamma
  Monastries are founded on the principle of giving (dana)
  Laity can support monks/nuns by providing them with things to help maintain the monastery

• Allow Buddhists to contact with monks/nuns
  These individuals make up one of the 3 Jewels (sangha)
  Buddhists can seek their refuge in time of suffering
  Buddha: “To the Sangha for refuge I go”

Halls for Meditation

• Give Buddhists a designated and quiet space to meditate
  Meditation is one of the ‘Right’ acts the Buddha taught leading to Nibbana
  Pali Canon: “Those who will meditate will be released from Maras fetter”

• Give Buddhists aids for meditation
  If a Buddhist was to engage in visualisation they may visualise thangka within the meditation hall

Halls for Learning (Gompas)

• Allow Buddhists to engage in study of the Buddhist Dhamma
  At the Gompa in Ladakh, important stories are retold through dances and masked performances

• They are places of academic study
  Example: the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Ladakh

Six Perfections

• Generosity/Giving: selfless desire to benefit others with no expectation of reward

• Morality: following 5 precepts and the following 5 for Mahayana Buddhists

• Patience: ability to tolerate and endure personal hardship and suffering and the face of those who show you anger

• Energy: making a courageous effort to reach enlightenment by deepening practice

• Meditation

• Wisdom: insight into the true nature of reality, realisation of sunyata

Six Perfections Importance

• Offer a Buddhist a means to follow the Dhamma and attain enlightenment
  Pali Canon: “How many bases for training are there for those seeking enlightenment?” The Buddha replied “There are six; generosity, morality, patience, energy, meditation and wisdom”
  Buddhists have a clear path to enlightenment

• Give guidelines
  Offer a structure to life
  Encourages skilful, moral actions

5 Moral Precepts

• Abstain from taking life (killing)

• Abstain from taking what is not freely given (stealing)

• Abstain from misuse of the senses

• Abstain from intoxicants that cloud the mind

Breaking Precepts

• No divine being to judge a Buddhists actions

• Unskilful to break a precept

• Should reflect but not dwell on their actions

• Learn from their mistake and move on

• Argued that they are a relative form of morality

• Sometimes more good comes from breaking a precept

• Ethics is rooted in intention, they must want to do the act

5 Moral Precepts Importance

• Offer guidelines and suggested ways of living
  Buddhist Monastics: “The five precepts are formulated in such a way that they provide a practice, clear-cut set of standards”
  Offers a structure to life
  Encourages moral/skilful actions

• Overcome the 3 poisons
  Viewed as a prescription for treating human condition
  Self-healing machine

Is it possible to live by the 5 Precepts today? YES

• They aren’t an absolute guide to Buddhist morality
  Can be adapted

• Quite reasonable and undemanding
  Common sense for most people
  On the basis of many laws in society

• Most people want a happy lifestyle
  Allow society to be built on a solid foundation

Is it possible to live by the 5 Precepts today? NO

• Culture of contemporary society in Buddhist and West countries is perceived as materialistic and individualistic
  Out of date with modern attitudes

• A life of pleasure, gossip and theft seems more appealing to some people, rather than refraining from these acts

Celebrating Wesak

• Theravada Buddhists in Singapore
  Freeing animals from cages
  Symbolise liberation and remember Buddhas release from samsara

• Theravada Buddhists in Indonesia
  Lighting and releasing paper lanterns
  Symbolise how Buddhas Dhamma can be used to overcome darkness of ignorance and light the path to enlightenment

Wesak Importance

• Affords Buddhists the opportunity to remember Buddha
  Remembering his birth, enlightenment and passing into parinirvana (death)

• Reminds/teaches key aspects of the Dhamma
  Dhammapada: “All conditioned phenomena are impermanent”
  By engaging in celebration practices (releasing caged animals) Buddhists remember anicca

Celebrating Parinirvana Day

• Some Mahayana Buddhists treat it as a solemn occasion
  Reflect upon their own immorality and remember those who have died
  Go to a retreat or meditate

• Other Mahayana Buddhists perform pilgrimage (yatra)
  Visit the site of Buddhas death, Kushinagar
  Visit the temple complex and perform puja to thank and remember the Buddha and his death

Parinirvana Day Importance

• Affords Buddhists the opportunity to remember Buddha
  Remembering his passing into parinirvana (death)

• Reminds/teaches key aspects of the Dhamma
  Dhammapada: “All conditioned phenomena are impermanent”
  By engaging in celebration practices (meditating on an offering of a flower) Buddhists remember anicca

Retreat Examples

• Tara Buddhist Meditation Centre (UK)

• Samatha Centre (UK)

• Bodh Gaya (India, Place of Buddhas enlightenment)

• Kushinagar (India, Death of Buddha)

Retreats Importance

• Affords Buddhists the opportunity to remember Buddhas life
  Kushinagar —> reflect on Buddhas death and how if the Buddha escaped samsara, they may too

• Allow Buddhists to engage in Buddhist practice
  Meditation center —> engage in Samatha, Metta, Vipassana meditation
  Dhammapada: “Those on the meditative path will be released from Maras fetter”
  Freedom from craving is a goal for Buddhists

6 Perfections

6 qualities or virtues that Mahayana Buddhists try to develop in order to live as Bodhisattvas

5 Moral Precepts

5 principles that Buddhists try to follow to live ethically and morally

Mindfulness of Breathing

A meditation practice focusing on the experience of breathing

Buddha Rupa

A staue of the Buddha, often sitting cross legged in a meditation pose

Stupa/Pagoda Stupa

• A small building in a monastery sometimes containing holy relics

• Tiered tower

• Represents earth, water, fire, air, wisdom

• Segments stacked upwards to a spire symbolising wisdom

Puja

• An act of worship

• Ceremonies involving meditation, prayer and offering

• Also known as devotional ritual

Offering

• Giving something as a sign of respect and reverence

• Sometimes a practical gift

Examples: Flower=Anicca Candle=Light

Temple

• A place where Buddhists come together to practice

• Structure reserved for religious or spiritual activity like prayer

Places of Worship

• Temple

• Shrine

• Monastery (Vihara)

• Halls for Meditation

• Halls for Learning (Gompa)

Halls for Meditation

• Quiet space for Buddhists to meditate

Gompa

• A hall or building where Tibetan Buddhists meditate and learn

Monastery (Vihara)

• A place where Buddhist monks and nuns live