The temple, also known as wat visoun and wat visounnarat was founded in 1512. The current structure was built by king setthathirat in 1566, after vientiane became the capital of laos. If you visit the capital, the pha thai luang is a mustsee. It is generally regarded as the most important national monument in laos and a national symbol. The doctrinal foundations by paul s williams, buddhist religion. Architecture in vietnam and laos linkedin slideshare. Book your tickets online for great sacred stupa pha that luang, vientiane. This stupa, modelled after the chedi luang in chiang mai, is regarded as the most important national symbol of the lao and has been used to embellish banknotes and the state emblem of. Because both stupas are located on hilltops, they are perfect places to catch sunrises and sunsets, but luang namtha stupa affords tourists a more unobstructed view of namtha. Several stupas and temples at chiang saen, the northernmost city of.
It was built in 1548 during the reign of setthathirath, king of the lan xang kingdom. Nov, 2019 luang namtha stupa is located next to samakhixay temple. The current temple grounds were originally made up of three temples wat chedi luang, wat ho tham and wat sukmin. The great stupa the legend of the great stupa of boudhanath translation and commentary by keith dowman. Researchers believe the structure was originally a foursided stone obelisk. The swayambhunath stupa of kathmandu val ley is a famous pilgrimage and tourist site in nepal. Pha that luang is the national symbol of laos yea, i only figured this out when i was at this gold covered gigantic buddhist stupa in the centre of the city. The black buddha image luang por ong dam and the kind buddha image luang por metta were cast on sunday july 17 1994 and would be reproduced into 108 images to be located throughout thailand, even in neighboring countries such as the laos pdr. The large grounds surrounding the golden stupa contain several other buddhist structures. Wat mahathat luang prabang temple of the great stupa. Great stupa of vientiane pha that luang a goldcovered large buddhist stupa in the centre of vientiane, laos.
The architecture of the building includes many references to lao culture and identity, and so. Our list of things to do in luang prabang highlights the unescolisted towns natural and manmade attractions. The golden stupa is 45 metres tall and is believed to contain a relic of the lord buddha. Not only did he construct or refurbish several monasteries in luang prabang, including the beautiful wat xieng thong, but he also did the same in viang chan, where he moved the capital in 1560 due to the threat of rising burmese power. It is said that the stupa at sarnath was built during the gupta period.
Buddha shakyamuni turns the wheel of dharma for the first time in sarnath. Luang namtha stupa is located next to samakhixay temple. The majority of luang prabangs sights including 33 buddhist temples can be reached on foot, so. The that luang stupa has a long history and features some intricate architecture and carvings. Rock art at the cave of a thousand buddhas, luang prabang. The book became a very rare find, and was published again in 2019 to celebrate luang pors 70th birthday. Jun 28, 2016 great stupa of vientiane pha that luang a goldcovered large buddhist stupa in the centre of vientiane, laos. Often described as the jewel in laos crown, luang prabang has managed to preserve its longstanding tradition and charm, exuding a missedoutonmodernization vibe. Vientiane authorities officially launched the fourth that luang stupa restoration project in the capital to return the national icon to its traditional glory in readiness for 450th anniversary celebrations. Visiting pha that luang in vientiane architecture of the buddhist. It was originally built in 1566 by king setthathirath, and was restored in 1953. Pha that luang is a sacred monument and one of laos most impressive religious structures. Pha taem in luang prabang province, northern laos, is a cliff face overlooking the ou river with over 300 red pictograms, mostly hand prints, anthropomorphs, zoomorphs, and others interpreted as.
This is luang por pasannos first book that was published in 1992 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his abbotship at wat pah nanachat. Evolution of the stupa in buddhist architectural history essay. In prehistoric times, stupas were simply mounds of earth and stones tumuli places to bury important kings away from the village. The 45 metres high that luang stupa or pha that luang was originally built during the ancient khmer civilisation, when vientiane was inhabited by people known as the cham. George has an incredible memory for detail im very. Evolution of the stupa in buddhist architectural history name institution course date evolution of the stupa in buddhist architectural history the stupa is, arguably, the studentshare our website is a unique platform where students can share their papers in a matter of giving an example of the work to be done. That luang, a laostyle stupa, is the most sacred buddhist monument in laos and the location of the nationally important festival and fair in november. The wat mahathat or temple of the great stupa is one of the more ornate, attractive temples of luang prabang.
By luang por sumedho i am very pleased with george sharp writing down the history of the english sangha trust, the hampstead vihara and the time that i spent there. Svelte and golden pha that luang, located about 4km northeast of the city centre, is the most important national monument in laos a symbol of buddhist religion and lao sovereignty. You find it on the national seal, lao currency and countless other places. Pha that luang, a grand stupa and national symbol of laos life. Since its initial establishment, suggested to be in the 3rd century, the stupa has undergone several reconstructions as recently as the 1930s due to foreign invasions of the area.
The stupa is the oldest buddhist religious monument. In this lesson, well explore the history and architecture of this. Dec 19, 2007 the black buddha image luang por ong dam and the kind buddha image luang por metta were cast on sunday july 17 1994 and would be reproduced into 108 images to be located throughout thailand, even in neighboring countries such as the laos pdr. Pha that luang vientiane, laos attractions lonely planet. Aug 05, 2016 luang ta maha boowa, known as ajahn maha bua in thai, is a well known thai buddhist monks of the early 21st centurie. Part three looks at vajrayna and at the most inuential teaching lineages of. Pha that luang according to the lao people was originally built as a hindu temple in the 1st century. Prince phetsarat, the former viceroy of luang prabang and father of lao independence and the. Pha that luang was built when king setthathirat decided to move the capital of laos from luang prabang to vientiane, and ordered the construction of a magnificent stupa. Laos is a landlocked nationstate with no access to the sea.
Pha that luang in its current state consists of a lot of restorations as recently as the 1930s, but the original site dates back to the 3rd century. Pha that luang stupa vientiane pha that luang festival. The main stupa was designed to resemble a pyramid and is protected by 30 more smaller stupas at the base. That luang stupa restoration project underway laotian times. Pha that luang is a remarkable stupa, a buddhist monument, in laos. Pha that luang the history, legend and renovations pha that luang is located in that luang village, xaysettha district, vientiane capital, lao pdr. The gupta period is considered as the golden age of indian history. Great stupa of vientiane pha that luang a gold covered large buddhist stupa in the centre of vientiane, laos. The pha that luang, meaning great sacred stupa, is the most sacred monument of laos and the national symbol. Download books by thai buddhist monk luang maha boowa. It was founded in the 3rd century to house the breastbone of buddha, which was brought to laos by an indian missionary. The stupa itself is unremarkable and similar to many you will see throughout laos, but there are a few buddhas and it does make for a nice photo. Sep 06, 2016 vientiane authorities officially launched the fourth that luang stupa restoration project in the capital to return the national icon to its traditional glory in readiness for 450th anniversary celebrations. For the lao loum, the wat is one of the two focal points of village life the other is the school.
Pha that luang is a goldcovered large buddhist stupa in the centre of the city of vientiane. Legend has it that ashokan missionaries from india erected a taht stupa here to enclose a piece of buddhas breastbone as early as the 3rd century bc. The golden stupa or pha that luang is the national symbol and most important religious monument in laos and vientianes most important buddhist. Photos and description of the architecture of katsura imperial villa, kyoto, japan. Vietnam and laos architecture history of architecture 3 prepared by. Vientiane the reader wiki, reader view of wikipedia. You can enter inside the stupa for 5,000 kip, a small price to help with maintenance, and sometimes you will hear haunting chanting emanating from within. Compared to the rest of southeast asia, the knowledge of laos past before the french is relatively poor.
Guptas were vaishnavites but were tolerant towards buddhism. The temple also known as wat phra mahathat or wat that is located near the mekong river south west of mount phousi. The study of world history requires an understanding of world cultures and civilizations, including an analysis of important ideas, social and cultural values, beliefs, and traditions. In its indian manifestations it is an extreme case in terms of architectural function. Luang ta maha boowa, known as ajahn maha bua in thai, is a well known thai buddhist monks of the early 21st centurie. Known as the watermelon stupa, that pathum or that makmo at wat wisunalat is a 16th century singhalesestyle stupa and a oneofakind in laos. The restoration project launch ceremony took place at that luang stupa on sunday and was attended by vice president mr. The large golden stupa in vientiane is believed to enshrine a breast bone of the buddha. It is believed that the current principal stupa of pha that luang was built in the 1566 century and to this day is the national symbol of laos. On the grounds are a sim of fairly plain architecture and the that pathum, a large singhalese style stupa. The pha that luang or great stupa is the most important buddhist monument in laos. The root stup and the noun stupa was a living lexeme as evidenced by its derivatives in several languages distribuited over vast areas from afghanistan to lahndi in the eastermost region of.
The old monument was lost to the forest years ago, but visitors can see a new one which was completed in 2004. Buddha shakyamuni accomplishes miracles in sharavasti. Twentyfivehundred years ago, at the time of shakyamuni buddhas death, a change came about in the way stupas were regarded. Buddhist stupas are sacred buddhist sites that attract large numbers of tourists due to their architectural beauty. This study also examines the human condition and the connections and interactions between people across time and space and the ways. The life, work and social roles of the most venerable sathu nyai. Dec 19, 2014 luang prabang has one quite unusual stupa that seems more closely linked to the sri lankan mound shape. This stupa, modelled after the chedi luang in chiang mai, is regarded as the most important national symbol of the lao and has been used to. So, how did laos end up with this architectural marvel.
The legend of the great stupa of boudhanath mchod rten chen po bya rung kha shor gyi lo rgyus thos pas grol ba is a padmasambhava treasure text, revealed by lhatsun ngonmo, then hidden again to be rediscovered by ngakchang sakya zangpo in the 16 th century. Five element symbolism and the stupa page 3 now some weeks ago we celebrated the parinirvana of the buddha, that is to say the buddhas final passing away out of mundane existence, or, as we say in the case of ordinary pe ople, death. It is a centre of religion and culture and teaches people about laos ancient culture and history. Luang prabang is an exceptional town simply because of the concentration of so many temples in such a small area.
The temple houses an important collection of ancient buddha images. Worksheet history beyond text books history through monuments sriparna december2010 page 2 of 5 azim premji foundation 7. I feel the greatest joy at having seen the coloured historical book important. Laos traces its first recorded history and its origins as a unified state to the emergence of the.
The stupas of myanmar, thailand and laos architecture of. Pha that luang is a buddhist stupa located just 5km from the centre of vientiane in laos. Mar 01, 2016 pha that luang is the national symbol of laos yea, i only figured this out when i was at this gold covered gigantic buddhist stupa in the centre of the city. A popular attraction for foreign visitors is pha that luang, an important national cultural monument of laos and one of its best known stupas.
Pha that luang is a buddhist stupa in vientiane, laos. Buddha shakyamuni descends to earth after having given teachings to his mother in sankhya. All buddhist stupas are pretty stunning, but pha that luang may take the cake. Visiting pha that luang in vientiane architecture of the. Craig reynolds writes the stupa is a symbolic form that pullulates throughout south southeast and east asia.
Originally built in 1566 by king setthathirat, this 147foot tall buddhist monument was built in three tiers to represent the path to. I lived for two years in the hampstead vihara, then came chithurst monastery and, later, amaravati. Stupa is a sanskrit word and it is translated as a knot or tuft of hair, the upper part of the head, crest, top, summit. Apr 25, 2017 most notable buddhist stupas in the world. Even though it was almost completely destroyed at the end of the xixth century, it was rebuilt identically and today, represents a rare heritage in s.
Great sacred stupa pha that luang in vientiane justgola. King visouns grandson, king setthirat r 15461571, became the greatest builder in lao history. Role of charismatic monks in the history of lao buddhism 12. Archaeology of laos and the history of lan xang and luang prabang.
The temples in luang prabang architecture details and. Pha that luang is a goldcovered large buddhist stupa in the centre of the city of vientiane, laos. The pagoda also known as that luang is officially named pha chedi lokajulamani, which translates to world precious sacred stupa. Information about stupas the stupa information page,find. Buddhist missionaries from the mauryan empire are believed to have been sent by the emperor ashoka, including bury chan or praya chanthabury pasithisak and five arahata monks who brought a holy relic believed to be the breastbone of lord buddha to the stupa.