Temple Architecture Styles : Böd (Tibetan) Architecture

Böd Architecture developed in Böd (exonym: Tibet) and has been highly influenced by the religious architecture styles of Nepal, China and India. Many of the houses 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 inwards at 10°.

Böd architecture takes the forms of rock-cut caves, stūpas, temples and monasteries. These structures usually belong to Böd Buddhism

The influence of Zhōngguó Architecture and Himalayan architecture is markedly visible in the sloping gable and hip-gable roofs used in the temples and monasteries. Like many Himalayan temples, particularly those following Newar Architecture, Böd temples and monasteries also generally have spires (usually gilded), placed atop the buildings and sometimes gateways.

General architectural terms:

• Chorten: Böd term for Stūpa

• Gönpa or Gompa (Lasägä : དགོན་པ།): Monastery

• Kumbum — a multi-storied aggregate of Buddhist chapels

Development

7th century CE – 9th century CE

• Böd Empire (618 CE – 842 CE)

The introduction of Buddhism to Böd region is credited to Songtsän Gampo, the founder of Böd Chen Po (Tibetan empire). He built the first 2 Buddhist temples in Böd: Jokhang and Ramoche temples in Lhasa, Lhasa Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China. Jokhang was built for his Nepali wife and housed the Buddha statue brought by her, Ramoche likewise for his Zhōngguó wife; the statues later switched places. Jokhang shows a higher influence of Nepalese and Indian architecture styles, while Ramoche shows a higher influence of Zhōngguó architecture styles.

→ Plan of Jokhang complex from “Journey to Lhasa and Central Tibet” by Sarat Chandra Das, 1902 [Source: File:Cho-Khang The Grand Temple of Buddha at Lhasa 1902.jpg

The 38th Böd emperor, Trisong Detsen is credited for having constructed the first Buddhist monastery in Böd: Samye in Mchims phu valley, Lhasa Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China. The plan of Samye was modelled on Odantapuri monastery in Bihar, India — the monastery has the main temple in the centre with 4 shrines of different colours at the cardinal points, and the whole surrounded by a circular wall.

→ Samye monastery in Mchims phu valley, Lhasa Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, PRC (Originaly built 763–779 CE, rebuilt 1988 CE) [Source: File:A grand view of Samye.jpg]

The murder of King Tritsuk Detsen in 838 CE by his brother Darma Udumtsen, and Darma Udumtsen’s subsequent enthronement followed by his assassination in 842 CE marks the beginning of the dissolution of the empire period.

Era of Fragmentation was an era of disunity in Böd history lasting from the death of the Böd Empire's last emperor, Langdarma, in 842 CE until Drogön Chögyal Phagpa became the Imperial Preceptor of the three provinces of Böd in 1253 CE, under Yeke Mongγol Ulus. During this period, the political unity of Böd Empire collapsed following a civil war between Yumtän (Yum brtan) and Ösung (’Od-srung) after which followed numerous rebellions against the remnants of imperial Böd and the rise of regional warlords.

9th century CE – 14th century CE

• Era of Fragmentation (842 CE – 1253 CE)

  • Guge/Ngari Khorsum Kingdom (Yarlung dynasty; 910 CE – 930 CE)

    • Maryul (Yarlung dynasty; c. 930 CE – 1460 CE)

    • Purang-Guge Kingdom (Yarlung dynasty; 10th century CE – c. 1100 CE)

    • Zanskar-Spiti kingdom (Yarlung dynasty; 10th century CE – 11th century CE)

• Western Xià dynasty (1038 CE – 1227 CE)

• Yeke Mongγol Ulus (1206 CE – 1368 CE) → Dà Yuán/Yeke Yuwan Ulus (1271 CE – 1368 CE)

During the era of fragmentation, Kyide Nyimagon founded Ngari Khorsum (the three divisions of Ngari) or Guge kingdom in 10th century CE — this kingdom was divided among his 3 sons as Maryul, Purang-Guge and Zanskar-Spiti. These kingdoms were mostly ruled by Yarlung dynasty till 11th century CE.

These kingdoms variously controlled western parts of Böd along with parts of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh in India.

→ Böd Buddhist monasteries established by Guge kingdom and successor states examples:

Lamayuru Monastery in Leh district, Ladakh, India (Established possibly 10th-11th century CE) [Source: File:Lamayuru Monastery, Ladakh, India.jpg - Wikimedia Commons]

Dzongkhul Monastery in Leh district, Ladakh, India (Established possibly 10th-11th century CE) [Source:File:Zongkhul Cave Gompa.jpg - Wikimedia Commons]

Alchi Monastery in Leh district, Ladakh, India (established 11th century CE by a Böd noble) [Source: File:Alchi.jpg - Wikimedia Commons]

Diskit Monastery in Leh district, Ladakh, India (established 14th century CE) [Source: File:Diskit Gompa 2.jpg - Wikimedia Commons]

Dà Xià (Great Xià) (Western Xià) was an empire existing from 1038 CE to 1227 CE in what are now the north-western Chinese provinces of Ningxia, Gansu, eastern Qinghai, northern Shaanxi, northeastern Xinjiang, southwest Inner Mongolia, along with southernmost Mongolia.

The government-sponsored state religion was a blend of Böd Tantric Buddhism and Zhōngguó Mahayana Buddhism with a Sino-Nepalese artistic style. The scholar-official class engaged in the study of Confucian classics, Taoist texts, and Buddhist sermons, while the Emperor portrayed himself as a Buddhist King and patron of Lamas. Early in the kingdom's history, Chinese Buddhism was the most widespread form of Buddhism practiced. However, in ~mid-12th century CE Böd Buddhism gained prominence as rulers invited Böd monks to hold the distinctive office of state preceptor.

The patronage of Böd Buddhism and consequent incoming of Böd monks led to Böd architecture influence over Zhōngguó during this period.

→ One Hundred and Eight Stupas — an array 108 Böd style stūpas on a hillside on the west bank of the Yellow River at Qingtongxia in Ningxia Autonomous Region, PRC [Source: File:108 stupas all 3.jpg - Wikimedia Commons]

→ Hongfo Pagoda in Helan County in Ningxia Autonomous Region, PRC — features a blend of Zhōngguó style and Böd style stūpas with lower 3 storeys being octagonal Zhōngguó style, and upper portion being Böd style [Source: File:Hongfo Pagoda front 2.jpg - Wikimedia Commons]

Sakya Monastery was established in 1073 CE in Sa'gya Town, Sa'gya County, Tibet Autonomous Region, PRC. Böd Fragmentation Era ended when Drogön Chögyal Phagpa, the then Sakya Trizin (Sakya Monastery abbot) became the vice ruler of 3 Böd provinces under Mongγol Empire in 1253 CE. The hereditary abbots of Sakya Monastery governed Böd during 13th and 14th centuries CE under the overlordship of Mongγol Empire after the downfall of Böd Empire, until they were eclipsed by the rise of the new Kagyu and Gelug schools of Böd Buddhism.

→ Sakya Monastery [Source: File:Sakya monastery6.jpg - Wikimedia Commons]

Yeke Mongγol Ulus expanded into Böd starting 1240 CE and had established themselves in 1244 CE, setting up a semi-autonomous under Buddhist scholar Kunga Gyeltsen — this ruling dynasty is sometimes called Sakya dynasty after the preferred school of Buddhism.

Dà Yuán was a successor state to Mongγol Empire after its division and a ruling dynasty of Zhōngguó established by Kublai, leader of the Mongol Borjigin clan; the remaining 3 polities were mostly sovereign but maintained nominal allegiance to Yuán dynasty for sometime. Yuán dynasty established its rule in Zhōngguó gradually by defeating the Southern Sòng dynasty. Its rule was disestablished by Míng dynasty, with Yuán rule continuing in Mongolia as Northern Yuán.

Kublai, the founder of Yuán dynasty, favoured Böd Buddhism due to which it was established as the de facto state religion.

During the Yuán rule, the then ruler of Nepal Jayabhīmadēva sent the architect & artist Araniko (Nepali: अरनिको, Chinese: 阿尼哥; 1245 CE – 1306 CE)¹ on a project to build a golden stupa in Böd. From Böd he was sent further to northern Zhōngguó to work in the court of Kublai Khan, where he brought the trans-Himalayan artistic tradition to Zhōngguó. Araniko led a team of 80 artists to Böd and Zhōngguó to make a number of pagoda-style buildings.

→ White pagoda of Miaoying temple Complex, Beijing, PRC — this 50m tall 30m wide pagoda is credited to Araniko (Built 1279–1288 CE) [Source: wikimedia commons]

→ Ayuwang Pagoda in Dai County in northeast Xinzhou Prefecture in northern Shanxi, PRC [Source: File:代县阿育王塔.jpg - Wikimedia Commons]

14th century CE – 18th century CE

• Phagmodrupa dynasty (1354 CE – 1618 CE)

• Rinpungpa dynasty (1435 CE – 1565 CE)

• Ladakh kingdom (1460 CE – 1842 CE)

• Tsangpa dynasty (1565 CE – 1642 CE)

Phagmodrupa dynasty’s founder Changchub Gyaltsen came from the monastic principality Phagmodru (sow's ferry crossing), which was founded as a hermitage in 1158 CE by the Kagyu scholar Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo.

In 1427 CE, a Gyantse prince founded the first Kumbum in Palcho Monastery. It features 15th century CE murals showing Newar and Chinese influences.

→ Gyantse Kumbum in Palcho Monastery in Nyangchu river valley, Gyantse, Gyantse County, Shigatse Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, PRC[Source: File:Gyantse Kumbum.jpg]

Rinpungpa dynasty was a Böd dynastic regime that dominated much of Western Tibet and part of Ü-Tsang between 1435 CE and 1565 CE. The ruling clan dates back to Böd empire period.

Tsangpa dynasty was the last Böd royal dynasty to rule in their own name. The regime was founded by Karma Tseten, a low-born retainer of the prince of Rinpungpa Dynasty and governor of Samdrubtsé (also called Shigatse) in Tsang (West-Central Tibet) since 1548 CE.

Ladakh kingdom came into being when Namgyal dynasty took over Maryul kingdom. It remained in conflict with the polities of Böd, Second Gurkānī Empire and Sarkār-i-Khālsa, of which Sarkār-i-Khālsa eventually conquered it. Several Böd Buddhist monasteries and temples were established during their rule.

→ Ladakh kingdom established Böd Buddhist monasteries and temples examples:

Phyang Monastery in Leh district, Ladakh, India (established c. 1515 CE) [Source:File:Phyang Monastery 03.jpg - Wikimedia Commons]

Basgo Monastery in Ladakh, India (established c. 1680 CE) [Source:File:Basgo monastery.jpg - Wikimedia Commons]

Rizong Monastery in Ladakh, India (established c. 1831 CE) [Source:File:Rizong Monastery 04.jpg - Wikimedia Commons]

18th century CE – 1950s CE

→ Examples:

Labrang Monastery in Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu province, PRC (established 1709 CE) [Source: File:Labrang01.jpg - Wikimedia Commons]

Phensong Monastery in Sikkim, India (established 1721 CE) [Source: File:Phensong Monastery.jpg - Wikimedia Commons]

Enchey Monastery in Gangtok, Gangtok district, Sikkim, India (established 1909 CE) [Source: File:Enchey Gompa in Gangtok.jpg - Wikimedia Commons]

Sang Monastery in Sikkim, India (established 1912 CE) [Source: File:Sang Monastery, Sikkim India.jpg - Wikimedia Commons]

Mag-Dhog Yolmowa Monastery in Darjeeling, Darjeeling district, West Bengal (established 1914 CE) [Source: File:Aloobari Monastery Full Front View.jpg - Wikimedia Commons]

1950s CE onwards

In 1950s, People’s Republic of China established its control over Böd, causing many Tibetans to flee and thereby establishing communities in other nations, particularly India. India already had a few Böd style monasteries, but most of the existing ones were established after 1950s.

Nipponzan-Myōhōji Buddhist Order, a Japanese Buddhist order, was established in 1917 CE and has been involved in establishment of Peace Pagodas, some of which are of Böd Chorten style. These pagodas can be seen all over the world, starting with inauguration of the first peace pagoda in 1954 CE in Kumamoto, Japan.

→ Post-1950s CE established Böd Buddhist temple complexes and monasteries examples:

Thegchog Namdrol Shedrub Dargye Ling in Namdroling, Mysuru district, Karnataka, India (established 1963 CE by Kyabjé Drubwang Padma Norbu Rinpoche, the 11th throneholder of Palyul Lineage of the Nyingma school of Böd Buddhism) [Source:File:Temple Sculpture.jpg - Wikimedia Commons]

Rumtek Monastery in Gangtok, Gangtok district, Sikkim, India (established 1966 CE) [Source:File:Vikramjit-Kakati-Rumtek.jpg - Wikimedia Commons]

Manali Buddhist Monastery Complex in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India (Established 1969 CE) [Source: BUDDHIST MONASTERY MANALI: HIMACHAL PRADESH]

Thupten Mindolling Monastery in Jeerango, Gajapati district, Odisha, India (established 1998 CE) [Source: File:Padmasambhava Mahavihara Monastery.jpg - Wikimedia Commons]

→ Böd Chorten style Peace Pagodas examples:

Peace Pagoda in Garoza, Latvia — built in shape of Enlightenment Chorten [Source: File:Miera Pagoda.jpg - Wikimedia Commons]

→ Menri Monastery* in Himachal Pradesh, India — *this monastery belongs to Bön religion, a faith with debatable relationship to Böd Budhhism (established 1967 CE) [Source: File:Menri Feb 2016.jpg - Wikimedia Commons]

Structural Details

Chorten

In Böd Buddhism, stūpas are called Chorten (discussed briefly in this Quora post). There mainly 8 types of chorten constructed, either as independent structures or with monasteries and temples.

→ 8 types of Chorten [Source: File:Eight great stupas.svg]

→ The 8 types Chorten in Jivey Tsal, Choglamsar-Shey, Leh, Ladakh, India [Source: EIGHT GREAT STUPAS (CHÖRTEN)]:

1. Heaped Lotus a.k.a. Lotus Blossom Chorten marks Buddha’s birth in Lumbini, Nepal — The steps of the stūpa are round and decorated with lotus flower petals

2. Enlightenment Chorten — The steps of this stūpa are rectangular and without any decoration

3. Many Doorways Chorten a.k.a. Chorten of Turning the Wheel of Dharma — The steps of this stūpa are decorated with doorways symbolising the opening of the doors of the Dharma, each of the 4 steps in each of the 4 directions have central extensions

4. Great Miracle Chorten — Each of the 4 steps in each of the 4 directions have central extensions

5. Descent from God Realm/Tuśita Heaven Chorten — Each side of the stūpa has a stairway in the centre of the 4 steps, each of the 4 steps in each of the 4 directions have central extensions

6. Reconciliation Chorten — The steps of the stūpa are octagonal

7. Complete Victory Chorten — The steps of this stūpa are round

8. Nirvan Chorten — The vase of the stūpa rests directly on the throne without any steps.

→ The 8 types of Chorten together at Jivey Tsal [Source: EIGHT GREAT STUPAS (CHÖRTEN)]

Gateways

Gateways of temples and monasteries can be plain and simple or highly decorated. They may also features one or more spires on the roofs.

→

1. Gateway of Tashilhunpo Monastery, Shigatse, Tibet Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China [Source: File:Entrance to Tashilhunpo Monastery.jpg]

2. Gateway of Ramoche Temple of Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China [Source: File:Ramoche Temple exterior.jpg]

3. Gateway of Thegchog Namdrol Shedrub Dargye Ling in Namdroling, Bylakuppe, Mysore, Karnataka, India. The monastery’s name in Tibetan language is flanked by Dharma wheels. [Source: File:Namrodoling Monastery Bylakuppe2.jpg]

Kumbums

Kumbum is a multi-stories aggregate of chapels. It can act as a 3D maṇḍala meant to portray the Buddhist cosmos. The structure may be surrounded by Chortens.

→ Kumbums examples:

Dolpopa's Great Stupa at Jomonang, Tibet Autonomous Region, PRC [Source: File:Dolpopa's Great Stupa at Jomonang, Tibet.jpg - Wikimedia Commons]

Gyantse Kumbum in Palcho Monastery in Nyangchu river valley, Gyantse, Gyantse County, Shigatse Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, PRC[Source: File:Gyantse Kumbum.jpg]

Main buildings/temples

→ Inner structure of Tashilhunpo Monastery [Source: File:Tashilhunpo.JPG - Wikimedia Commons]

→ Thikse Monastery near Leh in Ladakh, India [Source: File:Thiske.jpg - Wikimedia Commons]

→ The main temple of Nechung monastery in Doilungdêqên District, Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China — the features visible are the pillar or doring (rdo ring), 2 incense burners and 2 stone lions behind, before 1950 [Source: File:Temple and doring at Nechung monastery.jpg]

Cave Temples and Monasteries

Cave temples and monasteries are mainly found along trade routes, in mountain valleys. This allowed monks to gather donations while practicing a semi-monastic life. 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, like in the isolated valleys of Zanskar, 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.

→ Caves in Chhoser village, Lo Manthang municipality, Mustang district, Gandaki Pradesh, Nepal — These are part of Mustang Sky Caves, which were used by monks and common people alike [Source: File:Chyosyor cave at Lomangthang, Upper Mustang.jpg]

→ Phugtal Gompa in Lungnak Valley in south-eastern Zanskar, Ladakh, northern India [Source: File:Phugtal col.jpg]

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Araniko