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Significance of Vihara

Vihara is a term with various meanings across different traditions, primarily referring to a dwelling or monastery for monks. In Buddhism, it denotes monastic residences where monks live, study, and practice, often linked to significant structures like stupas. Viharas are integral to the monastic community, facilitating meditation, worship, and communal living. Similarly, in Ayurveda, Vihara refers to lifestyle practices or physical activities essential for health, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle in promoting overall well-being and managing diseases.1
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Synonyms: Monastery, Temple, Hermitage, Convent, Sanctuary, Shrine

In Dutch: Vihara; In German: Vihara; In Finnish: Vihara; In Spanish: Vihara; In Swedish: Vihara; In Malay: Vihara; In French: Vihara

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Vihara'

Buddhism Books

Vihara in Buddhism denotes a monastery or dwelling for monks, serving as vital spaces for meditation, study, and community, often established or maintained under royal patronage and emphasizing cleanliness and respect for the monastic environment.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

From: Vinaya (3): The Cullavagga

(1) A dwelling or place where monks reside and practice, often referred to in the context of prohibitions.[1] (2) One of the types of abodes allowed for the Bhikkhus, specifically places for meditation and community.[2] (3) A Buddhist monastery or dwelling place for monks.[3] (4) A dwelling or monastery for Bhikkhus that serves as a location for communal living and practice.[4] (5) Monastic dwellings or temples for Buddhist monks, which are discussed in terms of their construction and decoration.[5]

From: Vinaya (2): The Mahavagga

(1) A type of monastic dwelling or monastery where Bhikkhus live and practice.[6] (2) A monastic dwelling or residence where monks live and meditate.[7] (3) A Buddhist monastery or dwelling place for monks, where the serpent and the Bhikkhus stayed together.[8] (4) A dwelling or residence built for the Samgha, specifically mentioned in context to the gift provided by Udena.[9] (5) The monastic residence or dwelling place where monks live and practice together.[10]

From: Mahavamsa

(1) A Buddhist monastery or dwelling place which the theras received from the king as a consecrated offering, allowing them to continue their spiritual work.[11] (2) A place of worship or residence for Buddhist monks, where significant events of the story unfold, including the taking of refuge.[12] (3) A Buddhist monastery or temple that was frequently built and restored by various kings during their reigns.[13] (4) A monastic complex or dwelling for monks, which the king founded.[14] (5) Buddhist monasteries built for the community of monks, which Asoka funded generously across cities.[15]

From: Vinaya Pitaka (1): Bhikkhu-vibhanga (the analysis of Monks鈥� rules)

(1) The residence or monastery where bhikkhus live and practice, which serves different functions than certain Western monasteries.[16]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Significance in Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism):
Tibetan Buddhism Books

From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)

(1) Monastic dwellings or religious structures that were erected by zhang rin po che during his lifetime.[17] (2) A monastic dwelling established by rgwa lo for religious practices.[18] (3) A type of monastery or dwelling for monks, significant as places for practicing and preserving the teachings of the Buddha.[19] (4) A type of monastery or dwelling in which monks live and practice, specifically built by 'brom at snye thang.[20] (5) A term referring to the monastery's main building complex where monks reside and practice.[21]

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha鈥檚 words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayana) are collected indepently.

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: The gods of northern Buddhism

(1) Monastic residences or chapels that were once inhabited by monks and often contained images of deities.[22] (2) Houses built for monks, where they are allowed to shelter during the rainy season.[23] (3) A Buddhist monastery, serving as a place of worship and community for Buddhist practitioners.[24]

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) Monastic dwellings or places of meditation; Rajagriha has many that are suitable for meditators.[25]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Significance in Buddhism (general):

From: The Fo-Sho-Hing-Tsan-King (A Life of Buddha)

(1) A monastery or dwelling place for monks, which the nobleman wishes to establish in honor of Buddha.[26]

Hindu concept of 'Vihara'

Hinduism Books

Vihara in Hinduism can be interpreted as both a sacred site for rituals and a monastic abode, closely associated with both Hindu and Buddhist practices, highlighting its significance in spiritual and communal life.

Significance in Vastushastra (architecture):
Vastushastra Books

From: Vastu-shastra (Introduction to Indian architecture)

(1) Monastic abodes used by monks and priests of the Buddhist Order, primarily found in the Ajanta caves.[27] (2) A well-known term for Buddhist monasteries which served as living abodes for monks.[28] (3) Buddhist monasteries or residences that originally mimicked private houses and evolved into complex structures.[29] (4) The monastery proper, consisting of a central hall and cells for accommodation of monks.[30]

Vastushastra refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Nilamata Purana

(1) The dwellings of the Sakyas, which should be maintained with care and decorated appropriately.[31]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India鈥檚 vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

From: Apastamba Yajna-paribhasa-sutras

(1) The sacrificial ground where priestly performances take place, signifying a location of sacred acts and rituals.[32]

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Jain concept of 'Vihara'

Jainism Books

In Jainism, Vihara signifies the concept of wandering or roaming, particularly in relation to ascetics or monks, emphasizing their spiritual journey and practices of detachment and exploration in pursuit of enlightenment.

Significance in Jainism (general):

From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra

(1) Means 鈥榯o wander or roam鈥�, often used in a context involving ascetics or monks.[33]

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, 鈥榮elf-reliance鈥�) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

The concept of Vihara in local and regional sources

History Books

Vihara refers to Buddhist monasteries vital for monk residence, practice, and community at Nagarjunikonda, emphasizing spiritual retreats and the pursuit of enlightenment, while housing significant structures like Buddha statues and records of past Buddhas.

Significance in South Asia:
South Asia Books

From: Buddhist records of the Western world (Xuanzang)

(1) Monastic dwellings where monks live, study, and practice, often affiliated with the sangharamas in Magadha.[34] (2) A Buddhist monastic residence, which in this case contains a statue of Buddha and has additional significant features.[35] (3) Monastic residences for Buddhist monks; there are several hundred in the area.[36] (4) A monastic hall that was built above the precious ladders, containing a stone image of Buddha.[37] (5) A structure located to the south-west of the convent, which serves as a place of retreat for people from distant quarters.[38]

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Triveni Journal

(1) A Buddhist monastery or residence where monks live and practice their faith.[39] (2) A term referring to monastic halls or living quarters used by Buddhist monks, commonly found in cave architecture.[40] (3) Buddhist monastery or dwelling for monks, crucial for the practice and study of Buddhism in ancient times.[41] (4) A term describing a monastery or place of spiritual retreat, which Raghu retired to, embodying the pursuit of enlightenment.[42] (5) A dwelling or monastery for monks in Buddhism, mentioned in the context of a young Buddhist's efforts at Nagarjunakonda.[43]

Plural form: De Vihara.