Buddhist Monasteries Architecture

Buddhist Monasteries

• Typically built on hilltops or mountain ridges to represent the connection between the spiritual and physical worlds
• Characterized by:
  • White walls with red or yellow stripes, symbolizing purity and wisdom
  • Roofs adorned with golden finials and prayer flags
  • Elaborate wooden carvings and ornate doorways
  • Interior murals and thangkas (Buddhist paintings) depicting deities and spiritual scenes
• Examples:
  • Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet (former residence of the Dalai Lama)
  • Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, Tibet (one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet)

Traditional Housing

• In Tibet:
  • Made of stone, wood, or rammed earth
  • Flat roofs with multiple layers of roofing material to insulate against the harsh climate
  • Windows often small and narrow to conserve heat
  • Decorated with prayer flags, murals, and carvings
• In Nepal:
  • Made of brick, wood, or stone
  • Roofs often pitched with multiple layers of tiles or thatching
  • Windows larger and more ornate, with intricate wood carvings
  • Decorated with carvings, statues, and ornate doorways

Himalayan Temple Styles

• Newari style (Nepal):
  • Characterized by:
    • Tiered roofs with multiple layers of tiles or thatching
    • Intricately carved wooden doors and windows
    • Ornate stone or metal carvings
  • Examples:
    • Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal
    • Nyatapola Temple in Bhaktapur, Nepal
• Tibetan style:
  • Characterized by:
    • Simple, whitewashed walls with minimal ornamentation
    • Roofs adorned with golden finials and prayer flags
    • Elaborate wooden carvings and ornate doorways
  • Examples:
    • Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Tibet
    • Sakya Monastery in Shigatse, Tibet

Stupa Design

• Originated in ancient India as a symbol of Buddhist enlightenment
• Typically built in a hemispherical or bell-shaped form
• Components:
  • Base: represents the Earth
  • Dome: represents the Buddha's body
  • Spire: represents the Buddha's mind
  • Umbrella or finial: represents the Buddha's wisdom
• Examples:
  • Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal (one of the largest stupas in the world)
  • Swayambhunath Stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Palace Architecture

• In Tibet:
  • Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet (former residence of the Dalai Lama)
    • Characterized by:
      • White walls with red or yellow stripes
      • Elaborate wooden carvings and ornate doorways
      • Multiple stories and wings, with a complex layout
  • Norbulingka Palace in Lhasa, Tibet (summer residence of the Dalai Lama)
    • Characterized by:
      • Gardens and courtyards
      • Elaborate wooden carvings and ornate doorways
      • Multiple buildings and pavilions
• In Nepal:
  • Hanuman Dhoka Palace in Kathmandu, Nepal (former royal palace of Nepal)
    • Characterized by:
      • Ornate stone carvings and wooden decorations
      • Multiple courtyards and buildings
      • Intricate metalwork and ornate doorways

Buddhist Monasteries

• Built on hilltops or mountain ridges to symbolize connection between spiritual and physical worlds
• Characterized by white walls with red or yellow stripes, symbolizing purity and wisdom
• Features include golden finials, prayer flags, elaborate wooden carvings, and ornate doorways
• Interior murals and thangkas depict deities and spiritual scenes
• Examples: Potala Palace, Tashilhunpo Monastery

Traditional Housing

• In Tibet:
  • Made of stone, wood, or rammed earth
  • Flat roofs with multiple layers for insulation
  • Small windows for heat conservation
  • Decorated with prayer flags, murals, and carvings
• In Nepal:
  • Made of brick, wood, or stone
  • Pitched roofs with multiple layers of tiles or thatching
  • Larger windows with intricate wood carvings
  • Decorated with carvings, statues, and ornate doorways

Himalayan Temple Styles

• Newari style (Nepal):
  • Characterized by tiered roofs, intricately carved wooden doors and windows, and ornate stone or metal carvings
  • Examples: Pashupatinath Temple, Nyatapola Temple
• Tibetan style:
  • Characterized by simple, whitewashed walls, golden finials, and prayer flags
  • Features include elaborate wooden carvings and ornate doorways
  • Examples: Jokhang Temple, Sakya Monastery

Stupa Design

• Originated in ancient India as a symbol of Buddhist enlightenment
• Typically built in a hemispherical or bell-shaped form
• Components: base (Earth), dome (Buddha's body), spire (Buddha's mind), and umbrella or finial (Buddha's wisdom)
• Examples: Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath Stupa

Palace Architecture

• In Tibet:
  • Potala Palace: characterized by white walls with red or yellow stripes, elaborate wooden carvings, and ornate doorways
  • Norbulingka Palace: features gardens, courtyards, elaborate wooden carvings, and ornate doorways
• In Nepal:
  • Hanuman Dhoka Palace: characterized by ornate stone carvings, wooden decorations, multiple courtyards, and intricate metalwork