Most people are familiar with the great cathedrals and churches however many people are unaware of the Buddhist temples around the world.
Buddhism, which is mainly practiced in the continent of Asia, is a religion whose philosophy seeks a spiritual solution to all suffering of human beings.
There are Buddhist temples that are more than 2,500 years old that are located by waterfalls or on top of mountains that are difficult to access, but totally worth the effort. For all these reasons, we thought that providing a small list of some of the most beautiful temples could be a good option to give you more ideas for planning your next adventure.
Wat Rong Khun, Thailand
White is the color that represents purity. This completely white temple seeks to reflect the purity of Buddha in each of its corners.
In order to enter this temple you have to pass through a footbridge that crosses a circle of hands that arise from the ground representing all the prayers that human beings make to Buddha. In order to reach the bottom of the temple where you can find the representation of Buddha, you have to cross between two fangs that symbolize the God Raju.
Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Burma
This structure is not only a temple but a complete religious complex built between the 6th and 10th centuries. What makes this temple impressive is that it is completely bathed in gold, which was achieved thanks to the tradition of the ancient monarch, Shin Sawbu, who began the tradition of donating gold to entirely cover the temple.
As in most Buddhist temples, you will be asked to remove your shoes in order to enter. It is also important that you wear appropriate clothing.
Todai-ji, Nara, Japan
This temple is one of the world’s largest wooden structures, but it is also famous for having the world's largest representation of a bronze Buddha inside, as it is approximately 49 feet tall. The Kegon School is housed inside this temple which promotes the idea that all things in this world are interdependent and that the universe created itself.
As a matter of fact, this temple had to be rebuilt twice due to war and is photographed by many of its visitors because it is surrounded by sika deer; a species of deer that is protected because it is considered to be a messenger of the Gods.
Mahabodhi, BodhGaya, India
The Temple of the Great Awakening was founded by the Buddhist Asoka approximately 250 years ago and was destroyed by war and rebuilt again in the 19th century. It is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because it is one of the four holy places closely related to the life of the Buddha. It is considered that it was here that he achieved enlightenment in his life.
There are many other countries with Buddhist temples that you can visit. We recommend that you plan your trip with plenty of time so you can see as much as possible.
The more time to plan, the better, because that way you can organize a complete tour that may include several destinations and cities. Don't forget to check out travel websites and read reviews from travelers who have visited destinations that you are interested in visiting.
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Disclaimer: Welcome to the AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance Blog! The Travel on Blog is intended to provide you with entertaining and educational information of a general nature. The articles are for editorial purposes only and are not intended to replace the advice of a qualified professional. Please contact AXA Assistance USA if you have any questions.
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