P2. VIẾNG NHỮNG BÁU VẬT DI SẢN PHẬT TÍCH TRÊN KHẮP TG - INDO* CAM* PAK* AFGHA* CHINA* KANDY

Key Concepts:

• Buddhist pilgrimage sites
• Borobudur Temple (Indonesia)
• Bayon Temple (Cambodia)
• Taxila (Pakistan)
• Bamyan Buddhas (Afghanistan)
• Leshan Giant Buddha (China)
• Longmen Grottoes (China)
• Yungang Grottoes (China)
• Jokhang Temple (Tibet)
• Sera Monastery (Tibet)
• Temple of the Tooth (Sri Lanka)
• Mahayana Buddhism
• Gandhara art
• Five-body prostration
• Buddhist debates

Borobudur Temple (Indonesia)

• Location and Context: Located far from the city center in a Muslim-majority country (Indonesia).
• Historical Significance: Largest Buddhist temple in the world, built during the Sailendra dynasty (Buddhist rulers). Abandoned for 600 years, covered by soil, rocks, and trees.
• Construction and Architecture: Built in the image of the Mandala. No relics discovered inside. Buddha statues are well-preserved within stupas, while statues at the base have been looted.
• Visiting Information: Limited trips per day (approximately 7), with a maximum of 150 people per trip. Time limit of 1 hour at the top. Online booking is recommended.
• Art and Murals: Meticulously carved murals depicting the life story of Buddha. Statues of Buddha overlook the four Saha worlds.

Bayon Temple (Cambodia)

• Historical Context: Built approximately 300 years after Borobudur by King Jayavarman VII, a Buddhist king.
• King Jayavarman VII: Initially sent to govern the Champa region, he later fought the Champa army and established a new capital, Angkor Thom, converting to Buddhism.
• Construction and Architecture: Modeled after Mount Tu Di in Buddhism. Known for its four-faced statues, creating a sense of being watched. 54 towers with 216 faces in total. Built using labor and stacked stones.
• Comparison to Angkor Wat: Angkor Wat was originally built to worship the Hindu god Vishnu but was later converted to a Buddhist temple.

Taxila (Pakistan)

• Historical Significance: A stop on the ancient Silk Road, facilitating the spread of Buddhism. Associated with Gandhara art. Visited by Master Xuanzang.
• Cultural Influences: Influenced by the Greek empire, with ancient Greek residents converting to Buddhism.
• Current State: A UNESCO-preserved heritage site, but dilapidated and not well-maintained.

Bamyan Buddhas (Afghanistan)

• Destruction: Giant caves and statues destroyed by the Taliban.
• Significance: Two tallest standing Buddha statues in the world (nearly 55 meters).
• Reconstruction Efforts: Efforts are underway to rebuild the giant Buddha statue.

Leshan Giant Buddha (China)

• Description: Largest sitting Buddha statue in the world, carved into a cliff.
• Historical Context: Carved during the Tang Dynasty, construction lasted for nearly 90 years.
• Purpose: Built to bring peace to the surrounding residents.

Longmen Grottoes (China)

• Location: Located next to the river bank.
• Historical Context: Construction began in the Northern Wei period and continued during the Sui and Tang dynasties.
• Features: Approximately 2,300 stone niches with Buddha statues. Statues of Avalokiteśvara and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, Four Great Heavenly Kings An Nan and Kasyapa.
• Empress Wu Zetian: Commissioned the largest statue, Mahavairocana Tathagata Buddha, and its face resembled her.
• Damage: Looted and damaged by the Japanese.

Yungang Grottoes (China)

• Historical Context: Built after Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei destroyed Buddhism.
• Features: Thousands of Buddha statues, ranging from large to small.
• Gandhara Influence: Statues reflect Gandhara Buddhism, originating from Pakistan.
• Construction: Built inside the cliff of Van Cuong.
• Scale: More than 50,000 Buddha statues spread out within 50 caves.

Jokhang Temple (Tibet)

• Location: Located in the center of Lhasa.
• Significance: A very sacred temple in Tantric Buddhism.
• Rituals: People perform the five-body prostration.
• Historical Context: Built in the seventh century by King Tungsan Ganbo.
• Buddha Statue: Houses a statue carved when the Buddha was 12 years old.

Sera Monastery (Tibet)

• Meaning: Sera in Tibetan means hail.
• Offerings: People offer yak butter in thermoses.
• Buddhist Debates: Monks engage in debates about Buddha's teachings every day.

Temple of the Tooth (Sri Lanka)

• Location: Kandy, the last ancient capital of Sri Lanka.
• Significance: Houses the Buddha's Tooth Relic.
• Worship Times: Three times a day: 5:00 a.m., 9:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.
• Esala Perahera Festival: A festival in July or August to process the Buddha's Tooth Relic throughout the city.

Conclusion:

The journey explores significant Buddhist sites across Asia, highlighting their historical, architectural, and spiritual importance. The sites reflect diverse cultural influences and artistic styles, showcasing the widespread impact of Buddhism. Despite challenges such as destruction, looting, and neglect, these relics continue to inspire and attract pilgrims from around the world. The journey emphasizes the importance of preserving these cultural treasures and promoting interfaith understanding.