The modern Mulagandha Kuty Vihara is a temple constructed by the Maha Bodhi
Society; it was opened to the public in 1931.
Wealthy Hawaiian philanthropist and benefactor Mary Robinson Foster provided
much of the financial support for this project, while Anagarika Dharmapala
supervised its construction.
Dharmapala was a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk who was instrumental in the revival
of Buddhism in India after it had been virtually extinct in that country for
seven centuries.
The temple contains a gilded replica of a 5th-century CE sculpture of Buddha
Preaching his First Sermon.
Its interior walls are extensively decorated with frescoes by Japanese artist
Kosetsu Nosu (1885-1973), depicting important events in the life of the
Buddha.
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Entering the gate.
Entering the gate from Dharmapala Rd.
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Mulgandh Kuti Vihar Path.
Walking along the Mulgandh Kuti Vihar Path.
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Approaching Mulagandha Kuty Vihara Temple.
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Temple Tower (Shikhara).
Shikhara, a Sanskrit word translating literally to "mountain peak",
refers to the rising tower in the Hindu temple architecture of North
India, and also often used in Jain temples.
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A shikhara over the garbhagriha chamber where the presiding
deity is enshrined is the most prominent and visible part of a Hindu
temple of North India.
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See more at
Shikhara - Wikipedia.
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Entrance to Dhamma Chakka Pavattana Sutta.
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Prayer wheels.
A prayer wheel is a cylindrical wheel on a spindle made from metal,
wood, stone, leather, or coarse cotton, widely used in Tibet and areas
where Tibetan culture is predominant.
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Traditionally, a mantra is written in Ranjana script or Tibetan
script, on the outside of the wheel. The mantra Om mani padme hum is
most commonly used, but other mantras may be used as well.
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According to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition based on the lineage texts
regarding prayer wheels, spinning such a wheel will have much the same
meritorious effect as orally reciting the prayers.
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See more at
Prayer wheel - Wikipedia.
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Buddha Statue as a kid.
At the top of the photo we can see the Buddha as a child with the Dharma wheel.
- In Buddhism, the Dharma Wheel (Dharmachakra) is widely used to represent the Buddha's Dharma (Buddha's teaching and the universal moral order), Gautama Buddha himself and the walking of the path to enlightenment, since the time of Early Buddhism.
- The symbol is also sometimes connected to the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path and Dependent Origination.
- See more at Dharmachakra, Buddhist usage and significance - Wikipedia.
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Statues of Buddha and his disciples.
Statues of Buddha and his disciples at Dhamma Chakka Pavattana Sutta
wheel of law.
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See also
Sources
Location
