Bagrati Cathedral

Name : Bagrati Cathedral

Location :

The Cathedral of the Dormition, or the Kutaisi Cathedral, more commonly known as Bagrati Cathedral is the 11th-century cathedral church in the city of Kutaisi, the region of Imereti, Georgia.


Decsription :

The Bagrati cathedral, now in ruins, is regarded as a masterpiece in the history of medieval Georgian architecture.

A distinct landmark in the scenery of central Kutaisi, the cathedral rests upon the top of Uk’imerioni Hill. It was built in the early years of the 11th century, during the reign of King Bagrat III due to which it was called “Bagrati” Cathedral, i.e., Bagrat’s cathedral. An inscription on the north wall reveals that the floor was laid in “chronicon 223″, i.e., 1003. In 1692, it was devastated in an explosion by the Ottoman troops, which had invaded the Kingdom of Imereti. The incident caused the cupola and ceiling to collapse leaving the cathedral in its present state.

The conservation and restoration works, as well as archaeological studies, which began in 1952, are still underway. In 1994, the Bagrati Cathedral, together with the Gelati Monastery, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list as a single entity. In 2001, the cathedral was restored to the Georgian Orthodox Church. It is now of limited use for worship services, but attracts many pilgrims and tourists. It is also frequently used as a symbol of the whole city of Kutaisi, being one of its main tourist attractions..

Websites :

http://tushetiland.ge/?cat=23&paged=2

Bulguksa Temple

Name : Bulguksa

Location :

The temple is located on the slopes of Tohamsan, in Jinheon-dong, Gyeongju, Korea

History :

The temple's records state that a small temple was built on this site under King Beopheung in 528. The Samguk Yusa records that the current temple was constructed under King Gyeongdeok in 751, begun by Prime Minister Kim Daeseong to pacify the spirits of his parents. The building was completed in 774 by the Silla royal court, after Gim's death, and given its current name Bulguksa (Temple of the Buddha Land).

After this the temple was destroyed in Imjin wars and renovated during Goryeo dynasty. Since then the temple had undergone numerous renovations till 1973 bringing Bulguksa to its current form.

Architecture :

The entrance to the temple, Sokgyemun, has a double-sectioned staircase and bridge (National Treasure No. 23) that leads to the inside of the temple compound. The stairway is 33 steps high, corresponding to the 33 steps to enlightenment.

There are two pagodas on the temple site, which is unusual. The three-story Seokgatap (Sakyamuni Pagoda) which stands at 8.2 meters is a traditional Korean-style stone pagoda with simple lines and minimal detailing.

Seokgatap pagoda

Seokgatap is over 13 centuries old. Dabotap (Many Treasure Pagoda) is 10.4 meters tall and dedicated to the Many treasures Buddha mentioned in the Lotus Sutra. In contrast to Seokgatap, Dabotap is known for its highly ornate structure. Its image is reproduced on the South Korean 10 won coin. Dabotap and Seokgatap are Korean National Treasures nos. 20 and 21, respectively.

Dabotap Pagoda

Other National treasures on the temple include

Treasure No.22 : It includes The Yeonhwagyo (Lotus Flower Bridge), Chilbogyo (Seven Treasures Bridge), Anyangmun (Peace Enhancing Gate) and Geuknakjeon (the Hall of the Pure Land)

Treasure No.23 : It includes The Cheongungyo (Blue Cloud Bridge) and Baegungyo (White Cloud Bridge). The Blue Cloud Bridge makes up the lower span of the stair while the White Cloud Bridge is the upper part. The bridges lead to the Jahamun (Golden Purple Gate) which leads to Sakyamuni Hall. There are 33 steps on the stairway, which slopes at a 45 degree angle, and each step corresponds to one of the 33 heavens of Buddhism. The lower Blue Cloud Bridge has seventeen steps while the upper White Cloud Bridge has sixteen.

The Blue Cloud and White Cloud Bridges are in the foreground while the Lotus Flower and Seven Treasures Bridges are in the background.

Treasure No.26 : Bulguksa geumdong birojana buljwasang (Gilt-bronze Vairocana Buddha of enlightenment Statue). The robes of the Buddha are highly detailed and the simulation of folded cloth rippling down from the shoulder to the lap is done with high skill. The hands of the Buddha are in a position, the right index finger covered by the left hand, which often is used to symbolize the Buddha of Enlightenment.

Treasure No.27 : Bulguksa geumdong amita yeoraejwasang (The seated gilt-bronze Amitabha Buddha statue)

Treasure No.61 : This sarira pagoda, or stupa, looks like a stone lantern. ( A sarira is a container for the relics or remains of famous priests or royalty. It is said that this sarira contained the remains of eight priests or a queen)

Sarira Pagoda

Description :

Bulguksa is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism in the North Gyeongsang province in South Korea.

It is home to seven National treasures of South Korea, including Dabotap and Seokgatap stone pagodas, Cheongun-gyo (Blue Cloud Bridge), and two gilt-bronze statues of Buddha. The temple is classified as Historic and Scenic Site No. 1 by the South Korean government.In 1995, Bulguksa was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List together with the Seokguram Grotto, which lies four kilometers to the east.

The temple is considered as a masterpiece of the golden age of Buddhist art in the Silla kingdom. It is currently the head temple of the 11th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.

Among the earliest woodblock prints in world, a version of the Dharani sutra dated between AD 704 and 751 was found there in 1966. Its Buddhist text was printed on a 8-×-630 cm (3.1-×-250 in) mulberry paper scroll.

Websites :

http://www.bulguksa.or.kr/

Murouji Temple

Name : MurouJi Temple

Location :

It is a temple in the mountains of Muro-yama, close to the Nara's border with Mie Prefecture, Japan.
It can be reached in 15 minutes by bus from Muro-guchi Ono Station on the Kintetsu Line.

Legend :

There are a few theories as to how Muro-ji was founded. The mountain Muro-yama itself, where the temple stands, has been the object of worship since ancient times. It is also said that the temple was built on this land in the 8th century at the end of Nara era, after five monks offered a prayer on the mountain for the Emperor Kanmu's illness to be cured, and this had proved to be very successful.

The five-storied pagoda of Murō-ji

Description :

While the Kongo Temple in Koyasan (Wakayama Prefecture) is male-only, this is a Shingon temple that allows women to also worship there. For this reason, it is also called "Nyonin Koya (Koya for women)."

In its premise are Kondo (golden hall), Mirokudo (hall), Gojunoto (five-story pagoda), Kanjodo (hall), and Okunoin (temple deep in the mountains). The Kondo with Kokera roof tiles built in the Heian era and the Kanjodo and Gojunoto built in the Kamakura era are designated as national treasures while the other buildings are designated as important cultural assets.

The Gojunoto has a height of 16 meters and is the smallest five-story pagoda constructed outdoors in Japan.
Because the Garan are all located on the mountainside, you have to walk up the stone steps to get to any one of them.

In addition to the Garan, there are many other national treasures and important cultural assets among the Buddhist images such as the standing statues of wooden Chuson Shaka Nyorai and eleven-faced Kannon. About a kilometer east of the temple is located Ryuketsu Shrine, enshrining the ryujin.

Websites :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murō-ji
http://www.murouji.or.jp/

Tiger Hill, Suzhou

As viewed from the entrance with the Huqiu Tower at the top

Name : Tiger Hill, Suzhou

Location : 

Tiger Hill is a hill in Suzhou, in China

Legend  :

The hill is so named because it is said to look like a crouching tiger. Another legend states that a white tiger appeared on the hill to guard it following the burial of King Helü. The hill is sometimes referred to in parallel with "Lion Mountain", another hill near Suzhou which clearly resembles a sitting lion.

According to the Historical Records, the Wu King Helu was buried on the hill, called then "the Hill Emerging from the Sea". The legend goes that three days after his burial a white tiger appeared squatting on the hill.

History :

Since Six Dynasties period, Tiger Hill has become the famous tourist destination and Buddhist hill. In East Jin Period, Wang Xun and his young brother named Wang Min built the villa in hill respectively. In 327, they presented the villas to Huqiu Temple, and changed to be called The East Temple and West Temple. 

Buddhist period :

The Buddhist master called Daosheng coming from northern China in Song Period of North-South Division period interpreted the sutra of Buddhism over here, and left many famous relics. During the Six Dynasties Period, Tiger Hill had pagoda, and the destroyed pagoda was the oldest one in China. 

In Tang Dynasty, to avoid mentioning the name of Li Hu, the grandfather of Li Yuan who was the founder of Tang Dynasty, Tiger Hill, or Hu Qiu, was changed to be Wu Qiu and the temple also changed to be Wuqiubaoen Temple was also comprised of east temple and west temple. In 825, Bai Juyi acted as the governor of Suzhou, and he loved the beauty of Suzhou, especially the Tiger Hill. He made a large reconstruction to Tiger Hill, and he also made the ways to Tiger Hill more convenient, and the waterway and landway were all perfectly wonderful. And the surroundings were also beautified and elaborately designed.

Taoist era :

During the reign of Emperor Wuzong in Tang Dynasty, for raising Taoism and suppressing Buddhism, a large movement for eliminating Buddhism was launched. In 845, the property of the temple was confiscated, and the statues of Buddha were destroyed, and the monks and nuns were forced to be secularized. The east and west temples were all thoroughly destroyed. But later, the resuming of the Buddhism made the Huqiushan Temple be reconstructed, and two parts were unified. Besides, the temple was moved to the top of hill from the foot. And the whole architectural layout gradually formed the feature at present. At the foot of the hill, there are also the West-Hill Temple and East-Hill Temple in memory of Wang Xun and Wang Min.

Zen school Huqiu :

In Song Dynasty, the governor of Suzhou called Wei Yang reported the superior authority to change the name of Huqiushan Temple to Yunyan Temple. From then on, the Tiger Hill became the holy land of Buddhism and the hot destination of tourism. In 1131, roughly in the early period of Southern Song Dynasty, the Buddhist master named Shao Long interpreted the sutras of Buddhism in Tiger Hill, and Tiger Hill was predominantly influential in China, and formed a zen school of Buddhism named Huqiu School. In southeast China at the time, there are a quite famous title of Buddhism called Five Hills and Ten Temples, and Huqiu Hill, or Tiger Hill, was one of them.

Modern era : 

After the foundation of New China (The People’s Republic of China), the Administrative Office of Suzhou Gardens and Relics was established in 1953, and Tiger Hill was systematically and gradually managed and reconstructed. In 1955, the Fanghe Pavilion, Yongquan Pavilion and Sunwu Pavilion were all rebuilt, and the Round-Hill River was opened as well.

Description :

It has an elevation of over 30 m. and covers about 49.41ac. Tiger Hill boasts impressive rocks, deep dales, 3 matchless scenes, 9 suitable occasions for enjoyment, 18 scenic spots, and changing scenery at all times. No wonder it has been an awe-inspiring sight in the area south of the Lower Yangtze. The Yunyan Temple Pagoda and the Sword Pool are well-known features of the hill. With a history going back more than 1,000 years, the simple, archaic and imposing Yunyan Temple Pagoda, also known as the Second Leaning Tower on earth, stands aloft at the top of the hill, serving as a symbol of ancient Suzhou for years, The Tomb of the Wu King Helu under the Sword Pool has remained an unsolved mystery for two and a half millennia. The story goes that the great Jin master Wang Xizhi traded his calligraphy for lovable geese from the Taoist Abbot. And the windy vale and cloudy spring make the visitor reluctant to leave.

Its features include:

• Sword-Testing Rock: a rock in two pieces that was supposedly cleaved cleanly by a legendary sword of extraordinary sharpness
• Spring of Simplicity and Honesty: a well that, according to legend, first appeared as a spring to an exhausted monk carrying water up the entire length of the hill
• Yunyan Pagoda: a pagoda seven stories in height whose main architectural feature is its lean; it in fact predates the Leaning Tower of Pisa
• Sword Pond (Jianchi): a small rectangular pond, beneath which a treasure of some 3000 swords are believed to have been buried; this site is not excavated because the Leaning Pagoda's foundations rest on the site
• Lu Yu Well: a well attributed to Lu Yu, author of the first book on tea
• Thousand People Rock

Festivals :

Tiger Hill is also an important site of folk fairs and gatherings. In terms of the local history of Suzhou: Three Fairs and Three Festivals. The authority of Tiger Hill Scenic Area holds the art and flower festivals or fairs in Suzhou. In autumn, diversity of temple fairs featuring the folk customs held in Tiger Hill was extensively loved by tourists. In 2002, Tiger Hill was approved to be the Four-A Scenic Area of China. The famous attractions of Suzhou Tiger Hill Scenic Area include: 1.Pagoda of Yunyan Temple, 2.Sword Lake of Tiger Hill, 3.Yongcui Shanzhuang, 4.Lu Yu Well, 5.Lengxiang Pavilion, 6.Frozen Fragrance Pavilion) and other detailed scenes.

 

Websites :

http://www.seeraa.com/china-essence-tour/suzhou-tour.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_Hill,_Suzhou

The Silver Temple (Ridi Vihara), Sri Lanka

Name : The Silver Temple (Ridi Vihara), Sri Lanka

Location :

The Ridi Viharaya is a temple situated atop a hill at Ridigama (Silver village), a village 13 miles away from Kurunegala.


Description :

It is a cave temple with many interesting legends surrounding it, and is visited by Buddhists, Hindus and Christians.

Accidental Silver to finance the Ruwanweliseya Stupa
Ridi Vihara was built by the hero of the nation, King Dutugamunu who reigned in the 2nd century BC. The king lacked the funds to complete the great Ruwanweliseya Stupa (Ruwan Weli Saya dagoba) at Anuradhapura until the discovery of a rich vein of silver at the village now known as Ridigma. The new found wealth having allowed the illustrious king to carry on with his masterpiece, the king expressed his gratitude by creating a cave temple at the location of the silver ore.

Jackfruit treat temple
At the entrance to the cave temple, just before the main body of the temple lies the Varaka Valandu Vihara (Jackfruit treat temple), an exquisite little temple, which dates from around the eleventh century. Built right up against a small rock outcrop, it is dedicated to the guardian of the mountain on which the Ridi Vihara is located. The bases of the pillars are decorated with figures-a man with a spear, another with a bow & arrow-while inside the tiny shrine sits a small yellow Buddha statue & a few simple Kandyan-era paintings. When you are on the tour with us, we will, of course narrate the story of the jackfruit treat: how the temple got its name. And on tour in Sri Lanka you will be having tender Jackfruit spicy curry (Polos), ripe Jackfruit curry in sauce of coconut milk (Kiri cos) & ripe & juicyJackfruit (Varaka) as a fruit. Tropical Jackfruit, one of the largest fruits in the world, is a many splendoured love in Sri Lanka

The main rock-cut temple, Lower Temple
Beyond here, you pass through a wooden entrance pavilion (an old wooden palanquin hangs from the roof) and cross a small courtyard painted in harmonious pastel colours to reach the main rock-cut temple, the Pahala Vihara (Lower temple). Gold plated Buddha statue attributed to King Dutugamunu is kept securely inside a special case.

Pancha Nari Gataya (The knot of five maidens) in the lower temple.
To the right of the entrance to the lower temple is an exquisite ivory carving of a vase. At the close range the vase blooms into a figure of five entwined maidens.

Blue & White Dutch wall tiles of Biblical stories in the lower temple
The temple's interior is surprisingly large; a veritable Aladdin's cave, its walls are covered in tessellated hundreds of Kandyan-era pictures of Buddha. A 9m recumbent Buddha rests on a platform, a flower altar decorated with a blue & white tiles that narrates Biblical stories, which were a gift from the Dutch envoy to King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe (1746-1778 AD). The king in return had gifted the tiles to the temple. Christianity being a non-violent religion, the Buddhist spirit of tolerance of faiths would have spurred the Buddhist bhikkus (monks) to see the tiles with due admiration of their quality & artistry. Banishment of Adam & Eve from the Garden of Eden, the last supper, Mosses & the burning bush, prophets of yore, dove of peace, creation of man are some of the scenes depicted in the tiles.

Floor Tiles with Christian Stories

At the far end of cave stand from left to right statues of the Buddha, Avalokiteshvara (Natha), King Dutugamunu (the last is an extremely ancient statue date from Anuradhapura period), as well as a delicate reclining Buddha from Burma.

Reclining Buddha from Burma

Upper Temple
Behind the temple, steps lead up to the right to the Uda Vihara (Upper Temple) right behind. This eighteenth-century structure is attributed to King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe. The entrance consists of Kandyan-period moonstone & steps flanked by elephants. A series of Hindu deities & images of the Buddha are located herein.

The main image of Upper Temple
In the main chamber is an impressive seated Buddha (UdaVihara Buddha) set on a busy backdrop Makara Torana (Dragon Arch) of images of gods, devotees and Buddhas. Paintings of mythological animals and King Rawana too adorn the temple.





A trompe l' oeil Cobra House, next to the main chamber of Upper temple
Next door to the main chamber is the small "Cobra House". To the right of the entrance door is a painting of a formation of nine maidens-a trompe l' oeil which, as you walk backwards, magically transforms into the shape of an elephant. It's a clever visual trick designed by the fresco artists.

There are more Kandyan-era decorative murals of flowers & Buddha statues inside the Cobra House; behind it, a stupa sits almost completely covered under another part of the overhanging rock. These are the paintings of "Sarpenda" and "Vrushaba Kunjaraya" (the entwined heads of the bull and the elephant).

Artificial lake
There is an attractive artificial lake at the foot of the hills.

Ancient inscription
Outside the temple complex you can see an abandoned dagoba at the top of a smooth rocky outcrop. On the way up, to your right an ancient inscription in the stone that has been etched on King Dutugamunu's behalf.

Walk
An easy 10 minute walk starts to the right of this stupa passing a modern pavilion to an abandoned villa; nearby, on the top of the cliff, is a slab of rock which affords magnificent views of hills & valleys.

Websites :

http://www.mysrilankaholidays.com/silver-temple.html

Aukana Buddha Statue, Sri Lanka

Name :  Aukana Buddha Statue, Sri Lanka

Location :

The Aukana temple nearby ancient Kala Wewa rainwater reservoir, perched on a small hill at the edge of the jungle located some 30km northwest of Golden Dambulla Rock Templewith its massive stone-carved Buddha
The perfect & elegant 12m-high standing Buddha is adored all over the island to such an extent, that several full scale copies have been erected in the island: Colombo, Dondra, Ratnapura, and Trincomalee.

Description :

The statue was erected in the same period the second half of the 8th century AD, as those at Polonnaruwa's Gal Vihara & Lankatilaka Vihara as well as Buduruwagala & Maligawila all of which emphasis on Buddha's superhuman, transcendal powers.

Bless you
Unlike other great statues in the island which are carved in "Abhaya Mudra" (Have no fear), the Aukana statue is in the "Asisa Mudra", the blessing position, with the right hand turned sideways to the viewer. The figure is carved in the round, narrowly connected at the rear to the rock.

The perfect Buddha statue
Carved out of the living rock with supreme assurance, Aukana Buddha is a magnificent image. His expression is serene & from his curled hair there sprouts the flame called siraspata signifying the power of supreme enlightenment. Although the statue is large & stands straight up with feet firmly planted on the lotus stone pedestal, the body retains a graceful quality enhanced by beautifully flowing drapery clinging to the body.

The sculpture in proportion
Aukana Buddha statue is carved alone the proportion of nine faces: the body height is nine times the length of the face. The proportion of nine faces is the iconometry followed by the sculptors in the eight century AC of Sri Lanka.

Sirasapata
Sirasapata is the symbol placed on the top of the Buddha images in Sri Lanka. The sirasapata found on the head of Aukana Buddha statue is believed to be a modern addition in the year 1870. The discovery of a fragment of a sirasapata in the premises of the site suggests there had been a sirasapata on the head of the statue nearly a century before 1870. This turn of events have lead to study whether sirasapata had existed from the very beginning in the 8th century AD. According to the Buddhist literature sirasapata have existed in the all four previous Buddhas. Introduction and existence of sirasapata have been consistent in Sri Lanka since second half of the fifth century A.D. with several exceptions. Hence it is believed Aukana Buddha statue too was adorned with a sirasapata.

Drapery
Drapery, the art of draping the statues in folds is prominent in the Aukana Buddha statue. The robe in single groves is draped over the left shoulder to fall over the left shoulder up to the ankle. The right shoulder is left bare.

Pedestal
Aukana Buddha statuestand on a pedestal, the front of which is carved off a slab off stone in the form of a double petal lotus flower called Padmasana meaning the Lotus seat.

The tallest (Ancient) Buddha statue in the world
The magnificent free-standing statue carved out of a single rock is the tallest Buddha statue in existence today. Following the destruction of similar but much larger statues at Bamiyan in Afghanistan, the Aukana Buddha has gained even greater significance in the Buddhist World.

The whole of cultured world was horrified at the savagery & barbarity inflicted upon the colossal Bamian Buddha statues carved from the cliffs that dominate the dusty plains in the heart of Hindu Kush which have watched serenely for 15 centuries as the fortunes of the city beneath them waned from Silk Road metropolis to remote Afghan backwater.

In honour of the destroyed & in defiance of intolerant, China quietly goes with its own form of defiance: in their territory, carving, sculpting, erecting two statues similar in every conceivable way, to the two Buddha Statues destroyed by Taliban. In the ancient times Bamiyan, the region where Mahayana Buddhism originated, was known as Vokkana or Avakana. Do we have a clue to the name Aukana? In Sinhalese there is no such word as Aukana meaning sun eating as erroneously proclaimed.

Best time to see :

The best time to see the magnificent statue is at the crack of dawn when the first rays of sun light up the east-facing statue's finely carved features.

Websites :

http://www.lanka.com/sri-lanka/aukana-buddha-statue-933.html

http://www.mysrilankaholidays.com/aukana-buddha-statue.html