The The Vihara in Tipitaka: the Cause of Creation, Significance and the Composition of Architecture

Abstract

The objectives of this research are; to analyze the Vihara in Tipitaka on the issue of 1) the cause of creation, 2) significance and the 3) composition of architecture.

The result shows that 1) the first motive of the Vihara construction was from a Rājagaha’s millionaire who was a confidence in the good conducts of the Sangha who practiced Dhamma in the forests. He wished to build a Vihara for residence to protect the hazard and practice the Dhamma. 2) The significance of a Vihara in the Tipitaka mean a residence of Bhikkhus, Bhikkhuni, lay-people, giants etc. The residence of the Buddha called Mulagandhakuti. Besides, it implies the monastery, a doctrinal shrine and stupa enshrining the Buddha’s relics afterwards the Buddha permitted the Sangha not to use Viraha for an Ubosot, kitchen and depository. 3) An architectural composition of the Vihara in the Tipitaka, the first Viharas that a Rājagaha’s millionaire built for the Sangha seemed to be a bamboo house. It has their sided opaque walls and gable roof, however a Bhikkhus dwelling in the lodging was not comfortable and safety. Bhikkhus then informed to the Buddha to know so the Buddha allow to build the doors, windows, stairs, fence, wall painted white or yellow, floor painted black. Interior of a Vihara is allowed to put the ceiling, divide the area into rooms, flower-patterned, vine-patterned, Dragon tooth-patterned and permitted to use a handrail, clothesline, wooden dowel, ivory hanger, wooden hanger, bed, chair, pillow. The ground could be filled higher if floodwaters entered the temple