At long last, I have completed four short video documentaries of the interiors of Indo-Tibetan monasteries that flourished during the 10th to 12th centuries. I feel so very honored to have had the opportunity to visit, research, and document these incredible temples.
The temples are:
- Tabo Monastery’s Tsug Lhakhang, the Main Assembly Hall, renowned as the oldest continually functioning Tibetan Buddhist monastery, the art of which the Dalai Lama said “delightfully expresses the vigor of the transmission of Buddhism from India to Tibet and the dynamic mingling of cultures.” Established in 996 C.E. in ancient Western Tibet, now Spiti, India
- Lamayuru Monastery’s Senge Lhakhang, or Lion Temple, established in the 11th century on a plateau in what is now Ladakh, India. Ca. 11th century, the oldest temple at Yamayuru Monastery. Contains well-preserved and rare Indo-Tibetan clay sculptures of Vairocana, Dhyani (Supreme) Buddhas, and Vajradhatu mandalas, including Gonkhang with protector deities, Ladakh, India
- Lhalung Monastery’s Serkhang, the Golden Hall, founded in the early 11th century and located in present-day Spiti, India.
- Mangyu Monastery’s Nambarnangze, its Vairocana Temple, built circa 11th century and located in modern Ladakh, India.
All four sites are among the rare Indo-Tibetan temples still found today with extant, fairly well-preserved, poly-chromed clay sculptures which depict the Five Supreme or Dhyani Buddhas, along with their associated 32 deities. These sculptures form a distinctive sacred art of this period.
After viewing these videos, which show the visual expression of Buddhism, I hope you will find inspiration to learn more about the philosophy and practice of Buddhism.
The wealth of empirical knowledge gathered through millenia by Buddhist meditation practitioners not only benefits those seeking spiritual development, but also those looking for less stress and more happiness. Who wouldn’t want that?
I believe this tradition offers a tremendously positive impact on contemporary society.
Look further, and see for yourself how psychology, health, and medical fields have made advances in treatments based on meditation. For example, neuroscientists in their research on the human brain have garnered great insights in studies on meditation and its effects on cognition and emotional regulation. A pioneer on this Dr. Richard Davidson of The Center for Healthy Minds. One result is the development of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) pioneered by Dr. John Kabat-Zinn which has been applied with great success as a non-pharmaceutical approach to coping with pain and emotional challenges.
Less stress, more happiness. Again, who wouldn’t want that?
I wish you all the best in your curiosity, and your journey towards learning about mind and well-being, hallmarks of Buddhist practice.