A vihara is a Buddhist temple or monastery. The Sanskrit word originally meant a place where monks would stay during the rainy season. Today, viharas are the spiritual heart of Buddhist communities, used for daily worship and study.

Inside a Vihara

The shrine room contains a large statue of the Buddha, often shown sitting in meditation with one hand on the ground (touching the earth at the moment of enlightenment).
The statue is surrounded by candles, incense and flowers - the three traditional offerings.
A meditation hall where Buddhists gather to practise.
A study hall for Dharma talks.
Living quarters for the monks.

Visiting Etiquette

Visitors remove their shoes at the entrance and dress modestly. They bow three times before the Buddha statue - once for the Buddha, once for the Dharma, once for the Sangha (the Three Jewels). They then sit cross-legged on cushions on the floor.

The Three Offerings

The three traditional gifts brought to the shrine each have a meaning:

Flowers - they look beautiful but soon fade, a reminder of anicca (impermanence).
Candles - their light is the Dharma lighting the mind.
Incense - the scent spreads through the room, like the Buddha's teachings spreading through the world.

Buddhists do not worship the Buddha statue as a god - they bow to honour what he taught.

Y9 Buddhism

Inside a Vihara