Manduan Monastery
Seemingly overlooked with little online or guide book presence, the Manduan Monastery in Xishuangbanna is a gem not to be missed. The complex is packed with warm tropical colors, lively frescoes of dragons and flowers, and absolutely fantastic architecture. The monastery was first built in either the 10th or 11th century (information unreliable) but has obviously been rebuilt and updated in more recent times.
The Manduan monastery belongs to the Theravada or "southern" branch of Buddhism, practiced in SW China by the Dai ethnic group and in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Burma and Sri Lanka as the religion of the overwhelming majority. Theravada means the 'doctrine of the elders', referring to the senior monks. Scholars say that Theravada is the oldest surviving branch of Buddhism that is closer to Buddha's teaching than other forms of Buddhism.
Manduan, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, China
Manduan Monastery
Seemingly overlooked with little online or guide book presence, the Manduan Monastery in Xishuangbanna is a gem not to be missed. The complex is packed with warm tropical colors, lively frescoes of dragons and flowers, and absolutely fantastic architecture. The monastery was first built in either the 10th or 11th century (information unreliable) but has obviously been rebuilt and updated in more recent times.
The Manduan monastery belongs to the Theravada or "southern" branch of Buddhism, practiced in SW China by the Dai ethnic group and in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Burma and Sri Lanka as the religion of the overwhelming majority. Theravada means the 'doctrine of the elders', referring to the senior monks. Scholars say that Theravada is the oldest surviving branch of Buddhism that is closer to Buddha's teaching than other forms of Buddhism.
Manduan, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, China