There are gorgeous and religiously significant pagodas all over South and South East Asia. 5 execptional ones are:
Schwedagon pagoda- Yangon, Burma:
The Schwedagon pagoda is commonly referred to as the Golden Pagoda. The Pagoda is located on Singuttara Hill and dominates the skyline of the city. It is the most scared Buddhist pagoda as it holds the relics of the past four Buddhas. The design of the Golden Pagoda is nothing short of spectacular. The crown is tipped with 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies.
Temple of Literature- Hanoi, Vietnam:
The Temple of Literature in Hanoi also functioned as Vietnam's first university. In 1076 Vietnam's first university or imperial academy was built within the temple to educate the country's bureaucrats, nobles, royalty and other elite members of society.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda- Shaanxi, China:
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a Buddhist pagoda built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty. It's original purpose was a place to collect Buddhist materials that were taken from India by the hierarch Xuanzang. The pagoda was originally built over 5 stories but is now 7 stories high and 4.5 metres taller than it was in the beginning. There is of course a legend behind the pagoda's name and it goes as follows: There was originally a branch of the pagoda in which eating meat was acceptable. But one day the Buddhists were unable to find meat to buy. Just as one of them spoke aloud, wishing for meat a wild geese broke its wing and fell out of the sky. The monks believed it was a sign that they should be more moral. As a result they built a new pagoda and stopped eating meat.
Beisi Pagoda- Jiangsu Province, China:
The Beisi Pagoda, often referred to as North Temple Pagoda, is said to have been built in the period of the Three Kingdoms (220-280) by Sun Quan. It was redesigned to look as it does today during the Song Dynasty between 960-1279. The pagoda is nine stories and 76 metres tall. Its architectural structure is quite beautiful with flying corners, double eaves and balustrades made of stone. From the top visitors can enjoy the beautiful Suzhou scenery.
The Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival at Inle Lake, Myanmar:
The Inle Phung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival is 18 days long and one of the most famous pagoda festivals in the world. It is the most important occasion in the Shan state. Four Buddha images are taken around the lake in a barge pulled by hundreds of rowers as well as long canoes. Each village greets the four images with celebrations. It is a real spectacle and an occasion that shouldn't be missed if you happen to be in Myanmar between the 28th of September and the 15th of October.
Pagodas are a very important part of South and South East Asian history. A lot of money, time and religious significance goes into building each and every one of them.
Schwedagon pagoda- Yangon, Burma:
The Schwedagon pagoda is commonly referred to as the Golden Pagoda. The Pagoda is located on Singuttara Hill and dominates the skyline of the city. It is the most scared Buddhist pagoda as it holds the relics of the past four Buddhas. The design of the Golden Pagoda is nothing short of spectacular. The crown is tipped with 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies.
Temple of Literature- Hanoi, Vietnam:
The Temple of Literature in Hanoi also functioned as Vietnam's first university. In 1076 Vietnam's first university or imperial academy was built within the temple to educate the country's bureaucrats, nobles, royalty and other elite members of society.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda- Shaanxi, China:
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a Buddhist pagoda built in 652 during the Tang Dynasty. It's original purpose was a place to collect Buddhist materials that were taken from India by the hierarch Xuanzang. The pagoda was originally built over 5 stories but is now 7 stories high and 4.5 metres taller than it was in the beginning. There is of course a legend behind the pagoda's name and it goes as follows: There was originally a branch of the pagoda in which eating meat was acceptable. But one day the Buddhists were unable to find meat to buy. Just as one of them spoke aloud, wishing for meat a wild geese broke its wing and fell out of the sky. The monks believed it was a sign that they should be more moral. As a result they built a new pagoda and stopped eating meat.
Beisi Pagoda- Jiangsu Province, China:
The Beisi Pagoda, often referred to as North Temple Pagoda, is said to have been built in the period of the Three Kingdoms (220-280) by Sun Quan. It was redesigned to look as it does today during the Song Dynasty between 960-1279. The pagoda is nine stories and 76 metres tall. Its architectural structure is quite beautiful with flying corners, double eaves and balustrades made of stone. From the top visitors can enjoy the beautiful Suzhou scenery.
The Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival at Inle Lake, Myanmar:
The Inle Phung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival is 18 days long and one of the most famous pagoda festivals in the world. It is the most important occasion in the Shan state. Four Buddha images are taken around the lake in a barge pulled by hundreds of rowers as well as long canoes. Each village greets the four images with celebrations. It is a real spectacle and an occasion that shouldn't be missed if you happen to be in Myanmar between the 28th of September and the 15th of October.
Pagodas are a very important part of South and South East Asian history. A lot of money, time and religious significance goes into building each and every one of them.
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