PULLAHARI Monastery

Introduction
Introduction to Buddhist Architecture
Many of the temples and monasteries are typically built on elevated, sunny sites facing the south. Rocks, wood, cement and earth are the primary building materials. Flat roofs are built to conserve heat and multiple windows are constructed to let in the sunlight. Due to frequent earthquakes, walls are usually sloped inward at 10 degrees. Plated statues, elaborate frescoes and expensive silk hangings are major decorative attraction.
Mandala


Mandala (Sanskrit for “circle”), in Hinduism and Buddhism, a diagram used as a focus and guide for meditation. Each mandala represents the universe pictorially. The worshiper imaginatively enters the mandala, focusing successively on each of its stages and absorbing the logic of its form as the worshiper approaches the center. The Buddhist religious texts known as tantras provide descriptions of a great number of mandalas, supposedly intended for different types of people. Practically every major tantra has one or more associated mandalas, each with specific sets of deities or abstract symbols. Although every mandala has its own individual characteristics, the basic concept and structure of all mandalas is fundamentally the same. Japanese esoteric Buddhism uses two basic kinds of mandalas, the Womb World and the Diamond World. The Womb World broadens the worshiper's attention, and the Diamond World concentrates it. Mandalas of the Buddha Vairocana are particularly common in one category of Buddhist tantras, and show the large number of celestial Buddhas and the Buddha-nature of all reality. Artistic representations of mandalas range from painted scrolls to the sand paintings of Tibetan Buddhism. The enormous monument at Borobudur in Java is essentially a giant stone mandala.

Mandala usually depicts a landscape of the "Buddha-land," or the enlightened vision of a Buddha, which inevitably represents the nature of experience and the intricacies of both the enlightened and confused mind. Mandalas consist of an outer circular mandala and an inner square (or sometimes circular) mandala with an ornately decorated mandala "palace" placed at the center. Any part of the inner mandala can be occupied by Buddhist glyphs and symbols, as well as by images of its associated deities, which "symbolize different stages in the process of the realization of the truth."
Mandalas are commonly used by tantric Buddhists as an aid to meditation. More specifically, a Buddhist mandala is envisaged as a "sacred space" and also as an abode of fully realized beings or deities. While on the one hand, the mandala is regarded as a place separated and protected from the ever-changing and impure outer world of samsara, and is thus seen as a "Buddhafield" or a place of Nirvana and peace. In many tantric mandalas, this aspect of separation and protection from the outer samsaric world is depicted by "the four outer circles: the purifying fire of wisdom, the vajra circle, the circle with the eight tombs, the lotus circle." The ring of vajras forms a connected fence-like arrangement running around the perimeter of the outer mandala circle.
A mandala can also represent the entire universe, which is traditionally depicted with Mount Meru as the axis mundi in the center, surrounded by the continents. A "mandala offering" in Tibetan Buddhism is a symbolic offering of the entire universe. Every intricate detail of these mandalas is fixed in the tradition and has specific symbolic meanings, often on more than one level.



Cave
Caves were used prior to wood constructed monasteries because monks were similar to hermits and would like to be isolated. These caves were constructed by sculptors and engineers, rather than architects because clay and rock were used rather than wood. In the caves, there would be columns constructed out of these materials (and they appeared to be as solid and smooth as wood). In deep caves the assembly halls are deep in the cavern and the monk's cells come out in a waterfall formation. This building technique took the abruptly ending plateau rise of mountains and dug into the steep walls to create caves. These cave dwellings were close to trade routes were monks could get donations while practicing a semi-monastic life.

Prayer Wheel


Prayer wheels are widely used for worship in the Himalayan region. Originating in Tibet, they are found in Buddhist temples throughout Nepal. The prayer wheel, which is called a Mani, is a evolving cylinder set into motion by the hand. A beadlike weight attached to the cylinder by a chain or cord facilitates rotation. A mantra, or sacred chant, is inscribed around the outside of the cylinder and is recited with each rotation. The most commonly used mantra is the six-syllable Sanskrit prayer of mercy, Om Mani Padme Hum, which can be translated as “Hail the jewel in the lotus.”Mani (jewel) refers to the so-called guardian saint of Tibet, Chenresi (also known in Sanskrit, the ancient language of India, as Avalokitesvara), and Padme (lotus flower) signifies the entire Buddhist tradition. The words of this mantra also have many hidden meanings, and many volumes have been written about them. Devout Buddhists believe that every turn of these wheels is a spiritual act that can help ensure a better existence in the next life for both themselves and other beings.
Prayer wheels can be fixed or held in the hand and turned by moving a small weight attached to the outside of the wheel. Some of the larger fixed prayer wheels can be massive, requiring a number of monks to put them in motion. All Buddhist prayer wheels are rotated in a counterclockwise direction. This releases the benevolent forces present in the mantra’s six syllables into a universe that is perceived as full of suffering and in need of the Buddha’s teachings. Rotation of the wheel also accrues merit for the worshiper.
The veneration of sacred texts or prayers in written form and the belief in the value of revolving something or circling around a holy shrine or temple originated with religious practices in India. The Tibetans have raised the status of the prayer wheel and believe that it should never be rolled on the ground or used to pick up another object.

Buddha's Footprints
“Buddha's footprints” can be found throughout the Buddhist world. In some cases, they are supposed to represent places actually visited by the Buddha during his lifetime (563-483 bc), while in others, they simply symbolize the spiritual presence of the Buddha at a religious site. Depending on what tradition a pilgrim belongs to, this shrine either possesses the footprints of the Buddha or those of Manjusri, a bodhisattva, or enlightened being, who personifies learning and wisdom.

Chorten


Chortens are small temples whose design can vary from roundish walls to square four-sided walls. Some of these temples have relics of monks or other precious items. They are decorated with different depictions of the elements and nirvana symbolizing when the Buddha reached enlightenment. There are eight types of chorten. It is considered a good deed of merit to either restore the temple or to walk around the temple in a clockwise direction.

Chaitya
Chaitya

Stupa
Stupa




Introduction to Pullahari Monastery
"Arisen through the great bodhisattva’s presence, Pullahari is secluded and pleasant;
A place where an ocean of yidams, dakinis and protectors gather like clouds."
This is how the very Ven. Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche described Pullahari.
Built Environment


Situated in the foothills overlooking the sacred valley of the great stupa of Boudhanath, Pullahari is a place of Dharma, especially of the Karma Kagyu lineage of the Gyalwa Karmapas. A place of beautiful gardens, it has an atmosphere of openness that is inspirational to deeper understanding and appreciation of the Dharma through study and practice. The Stupa of the Third Jamgon Kongtrul imbues the place with loving warmth and wondrous blessings.
At Pullahari, the age-old traditions of Karma Kagyu rituals and practice in the monastery and the Mahamudra retreat centre continue side by side with teachings and instructions to Buddhists from all over the world at the Rigpe Dorje Institute. Each year, the students arrive to attend teachings on the view and meditation offered at the Rigpe Dorje programs guided by the Very Venerable Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche since 1993.
The facilities for lay study and retreat at the Rigpe Dorje Institute are open throughout the year. Basic necessities and meals are provided and facilities are provided as such that the retreatants may arrange to meet qualified lamas for guidance.

Building Material
Rock, wood, cement and earth are the primary building materials.

Directions to Pullahari
Go from Boudhanath to Jorpati towards the Gokarna Shiva Mandir. Just before the Shiva Mandir, take the road left leading to the pine forest. Keeping to the left, go straight on passing the forest and travel along for about ten minutes until you come to " Shree Jana Jagriti Lower Secondary School" take the sharp turn left.. You are on the road to Pullahari monastery.
Pullahari is about 40 minutes by car from the airport and 30 minutes from Boudhanath. It is an hour by foot from the Boudha Stupa.
TAXIS: 24 Hours pre-paid taxi service from airport Rs 700 to Pullahari monastery.
From Boudha Stupa Rs 300 to 350 (one way)

History
History of Buddhist Architecture in Nepal









History of Pullahari Monastery
Pullahari, the main seat of the Jamgon Kongtruls, is founded by the Third Jamgon Kongtrul, whose sacred body relic is enshrined in the golden stupa there. Today, H.E. the Fourth Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, Karma Lodro Chokyi Nyima, is now the chief abbot.