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Cozia Monastery - Romania
Cozia Monastery, erected close to Călimănești by Mircea cel Bătrân in 1388 and housing his tomb, is one of the most valuable monuments of national medieval art and architecture in Romania.
Cozia features a museum of exhibiting old art: old manuscripts and prints, embroideries and objects of worship.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cozia_Monastery
Interesting te read:
www.romanianmonasteries.org/other-monasteries/cozia-monas...
Sumela Monastery, founded in honour of the Virgin Mary, stands 300 metres high overlooking the Altindere Valley near Trabzon in Eastern Turkey. The monastery was founded in the 4th century AD, but reached its current form in the 13th century.
Russia, Veliky Novgorod
St. George's (Yuriev) Monastery as seen from the Vitoslavlitsy Open-air Museum of Wooden Architecture
Next we went to the Monasterboice Monastery and cemetery. It is noted for its ornately carved high Celtic crosses. This is the18-foot tall Cross of Murdock. It’s considered to be the best example of a high cross in Ireland. The center of the cross has carvings representing the life of Jesus. The stem of the cross has carvings of biblical stories from Adam and Eve through the life of Christ.
Rudi-Arionesti monastery.
In the picturesque valley in the North of Moldova at the right back of Dniester, on the territory of the national park of Rudi - Arionesti there is a monastic ensemble of Saint Trinity built in the second half of the XVIIth century. The dominating element of this ensemble is the church built in 1772 having the same name as the monastery. Around the church various subsidiary structures are located such as the abbot's house, the refectory, cells and dwelling premises. Only the orchard and the bee garden are situated beyond the monastery.
According to its layout the monastery church is a true successor of traditions of ancient Moldavian structures. All the three apses - the eastern, the southern and the northern ones are of the same diameter and height. The narthex is more elongated since it is separated from the naos by a triple arcade.
Inside the bulk of the western wall there is a staircase leading to the choir gallery. Ancient inscriptions are made on the northern altar wall. The ancient iconostasis created by local craftsmen is mounted between the naos and altar. On many interior walls fragments of murals performed in the fresco method still can be seen.
This church at Sucevița (Soo-che-veetsa) is renowned for this 'Ladder of Virtue', as well as for its 'Tree of Jesse'. It was built in 1585 by Ieremia Movilă (voivode of Moldavia, r 1595-May 1600, and Sept. 1600-1606), Gheorghe Movilă and Simion Movilă (prince of Wallachia r Nov. 1600-June 1601 and Oct. 1601-July 1602; and prince of Moldavia r July 1606 until his death in Sept. 1607). The church contains both Byzantine and Gothic elements, and some elements typical to other painted churches of northern Moldavia. Both interior and exterior walls were painted with murals in @ 1601 (wikipedia) in "brilliant reds and blues with an undercoat of emerald green." (RG)
- In this 'Ladder of Virtue' "flights of angels assist the righteous to paradise, while sinners fall through the rungs into the arms of a grinning demon. The message is reiterated in the 'Last Judgement' in the porch (reputedly left unfinished b/c the artist fell to his death from the scaffolding), where angels sound the trumpet and smite heathens with swords. Turks and Jews can be seen lamenting, and the devil gloats at the bottom-right." The Beast of the Apocalypse has 2 heads, and "angels pour rivers of fire and tread the grapes of wrath." (RG)
- "The 'Tree of Jesse' is a lush composition on a dark blue background. ... 'The Veil' represents Mary as a Byzantine empress beneath a red veil held by angels, while the 'Hymn to the Virgin' is illustrated with Italianate bldg.s and people in oriental dress. In a mural with ancient philosophers clad in Byzantine cloaks, Plato bears a coffin and a pile of bones on his head, in tribute to his meditations on life and death." In the narthex, "the lives of the saints end in burning, boiling, spit-roasting, dismemberment or decapitation - a gory catalogue relieved somewhat by images of rams, suns and other zodiacal symbols." (RG)
- Ieremia and Simion lie in marble tombs carved with floral motifs.
- There's a votive image of Doamna Elisabeta Movilă in the nave, princess consort of Moldavia by marriage to Ieremia and regent from 1607 to 1611 on behalf of her son Constantin I, and her son Alexandru from 1615 to 1616. Described as proud, ambitious and beautiful, she supported her husband against his brother Simion, and after his death her sons against their rivals, often with Polish military help. Political instability caused by the Moldavian succession crisis resulted in Ottoman attack in 1616. She and her sons led an army against the Turks, but were captured in battle and taken to Constantinople. Her sons were forced to convert, while she was held and later died in the sultan's harem, "by God's will" according to the chronicles. (Wikipedia) See her at the 1.25:00 min. pt. and see the frescoes in the opening credits in Neamul Șoimăreștilor, 'The Family of the Falcons' (1965) in this link. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLSy4hzncK0 www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev61f8wclag
- The interior court of the ensemble (100 x 104 m.s2) is surrounded by 6 m. high, 3 m. thick white-washed walls with a tower at each corner. Sucevița had been a princely residence as well as a fortified monastery, and was a centre for the production of manuscripts, and then for printing. I climbed a hill behind the monastery to get a view of the compound from above.
- There's a museum today in what was once the council chamber, which displays tapestries, the tomb covers of Ieremia and Simion Movilă, illuminated manuscripts, etc. (I would've toured it, unless it wasn't open in 2000, I don't recall).
- I met western tourists rarely in my travels in Romania, even here at these world-famous, albeit remote, monasteries. I was here in April and May, not high season. But I recall an American couple that I met here at this church, the result of one of those May-Dec 31st romances. twitter.com/beberexha/status/1454569430243938309 She was a lovely, gracious young blonde, quietly confident in how beautiful she was, but very religious. Her husband, a portly, much older man, was a preacher, Pentecostal or Baptist I think, who wore a very concerned or disapproving expression throughout the duration of my fairly brief discussion with his young wife (who wasn't being flirtatious in any way). He must have worn that expression often.
- From Sucevița I hitched or walked less than 10 clicks further up the 17A to the 2E and then north to the historic Putna (Poot-nah) monastery. Soon after I arrived and while touring @, I met and befriended a young monk (Putna's a home for monks, not nuns) whose English was quite good, and who showed me @ some. At one point, after supper, he and I and his friend, another monk with a long black beard in a black robe (all the monks are robed), briefly left the enclosed monastic complex just after dark to walk into the town of Putna to see the famous, ancient wooden church of Dragoș Vodă, aka 'Dragoș the Founder', said to be the oldest church in Moldavia (1346). Built by its namesake, the founder of Moldovia, it was relocated to Putna by Ștefan cel Mare out of harm's way in 1468, as the Turks were on the rampage at that time. www.flickr.com/photos/tudorseulean/2763165162 Again, it was late and I don't recall if it was open. The 2nd monk, my friend's friend, was stooping some as we were walking and was looking @ and back over his shoulder a fair bit. He said he hadn't seen that church before as he wasn't supposed to leave the compound where he'd been living as an initiate for at least a few years, and was a bit concerned that he might get caught. ! (But he and his friend were laughing too.) That moment was the first time he'd left the compound in @ 3 years! (See what a trippy trip I was having in Romania?)
- I slept at the monastery that night (again, as a 'pilgrim'), and the next morning before I left, my new, very kind and generous friend gave me a little bottle of Myrrh from Jerusalem to take with me, and which I still have and value today.
- "Putna Monastery lacks the external murals of the painted monasteries, but as the first of the great religious monuments of southern Bukovina and the burial place of Ștefan cel Mare (Stephen III, 'the Great'), it's rich in historical associations and is as important to Romanian patriots as to the Orthodox faithful. Following his conquest of the Kilia citadel, Stephen chose the site of the monastery by firing an arrow from the steep hill which now bears a white cross. Construction of the church began on July 10, 1466; it was completed w/in 3 yr.s, consecrated w/in 4 on Sept. 3, 1470, burnt down and rebuilt in 1484, 1536, [destroyed in 1653 by the Cossack army of Timuş Hmelniţchi, son-in-law of Prince Vasile Lupu, rebuilt again /b/ 1653 and 1662 by Vasile Lupu and co. {wikipedia}] and in 1691, ravaged by war 3 x in the 17th cent., repaired in the 18th, damaged by an earthquake and restored again in 1902 and from 1955 to 1988. The Treasury tower is the only bldg. surviving intact from Stephen's time. "The first superior was Archimandrite Ioasaf from Neamt, the first important monastic centre in Moldavia, who arrived accompanied by calligraphers, the first teachers of the new monastic school which followed the example of that in Neamţ", but which soon became one of the most significant cultural centres in the country. There's a bust of Romania's national poet Eminescu inside the entrance [which I don't recall]. He gave a speech here in Aug. 1871, "on the occasion of the monastery's quadricentennial.: "Let us make Putna the Jerusalem of the Romanian people, and let us also make Stephen's grave the altar of our national conscience." (RG)
- The church "is plain and strong, its facade defined by cable mouldings, [intricately carved stone tracery], blind arcades and trefoil windows." (RG) It "houses the tombs of Stephen the Great [which I'm sure I saw but don't recall] and of several of his family members, and is today a place of pilgrimage. The icon veils and tombstones are held as fine examples of Moldavian art in Stephen's time." (wikipedia)
- "Outside the church stand 3 bells, the largest of which, cast in 1484, was only used to herald events such as royal deaths, and was last rung in 1918, when it was heard as far away as Suceava [37 km.s away?]. Hidden from the communists for almost 50 yr.s, it only reappeared after the revolution of 1989." (RG)
- www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGjrXB2-mII
- The monastery has a museum which I would've toured but don't recall, which displays "one of the world's most impt. collections of 'Byzantine embroidery'" (RG), many icons, illuminated manuscripts, etc.
- This region's a great one for anyone who loves horses.: www.youtube.com/watch?v=px7YTLtuwI4
- From Putna monastery I walked or hitched up to the 2E and then hitched @ 40 clicks SE to the city of Suceava.
This monastery was built in the 1850's and is still in excellent condition. The last Sisters left the monastery during the 1990's and it has been left abandoned since.
Currently plans are being signed off to renovate the monastery into rooms for students.
Please visit www.preciousdecay.com for more pictures!
For my vide; youtu.be/JazqF-s_30QHercules,
Maulbronn Monastery (German: Kloster Maulbronn) is the best-preserved medieval Cistercian monastery complex in Europe.
It is part of the Unesco World Heritage.
Re-established in 1630, the historic Monastery, belonging to the Drukpa Lineage houses some of the most invaluable cultural as well as religious artefacts including images, scriptures, etc. The entry ticket for the monastery-cum-museum was priced at Rs 50.
Sept 2012
Hayravank (Armenian: Հայրավանք) is a 9th-12th century Armenian monastery located just northeast of the village of Hayravank along the southwest shores of Lake Sevan in the Gegharkunik Province of Armenia. The monastic complex consists of a church, chapel, and gavit.
Surrounding the monastery are numerous khachkars and gravestones that are part of a small cemetery. To the northwest a short distance from the site, are the remains of Bronze Age through medieval fortification walls and foundations of a settlement. A polished black vessel of the Early Bronze Age was discovered during archaeological excavations in the area. Weapons of metal and stone, tools, clay idols, numerous vessels, fireplaces and two tombs, all from the Iron Age were discovered in the vicinity as well.
Snagov, Romania.
On a tiny island in a lake just outside of Bucharest stands Snagov Monastery which, according to local tradition,Vlad the Impaler is buried. Vald Tepes is the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Originally founded in the 14th century and later excavated in 1933, the monastery is a simple and typical Orthodox church with many historic frescoes of bible stories and local history (mome of Vlad). Supposedly after his notoriously cruel lifetime, Vlad Tepes III was buried in the church as per his request prior to his death.
Cozia Monastery - Romania
Cozia Monastery, erected close to Călimănești by Mircea cel Bătrân in 1388 and housing his tomb, is one of the most valuable monuments of national medieval art and architecture in Romania.
Cozia features a museum of exhibiting old art: old manuscripts and prints, embroideries and objects of worship.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cozia_Monastery
Interesting te read:
www.romanianmonasteries.org/other-monasteries/cozia-monas...
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tatev monastery is located in Armenia Tatev monastery
Shown within Armenia
Basic information
LocationTatev, Syunik Province, Armenia
Geographic coordinates39.379367°N 46.250031°ECoordinates: 39.379367°N 46.250031°E
AffiliationArmenian Apostolic Church
Architectural description
Architectural styleArmenian
Groundbreaking8th century
The Tatev monastery (Armenian: Տաթևի վանք Tat'evi vank' ) is a 9th-century Armenian Apostolic monastery located on a large basalt plateau near the Tatev village in Syunik Province in southeastern Armenia. The term "Tatev" usually refers to the monastery. The monastic ensemble stands on the edge of a deep gorge of the Vorotan River. Tatev is known as the bishopric seat of Syunik and played a significant role in the history of the region as a center of economic, political, spiritual and cultural activity.
In the 14th and 15th centuries the monastery hosted one of the most important Armenian medieval universities, the University of Tatev, which contributed to the advancement of science, religion and philosophy, reproduction of books and development of miniature painting. Scholars of the Tatev University contributed to the preservation of Armenian culture and creed during one of its most turbulent periods in its history.
The monastery is the "best-known site" in Syunik. Wings of Tatev, a cableway from Tatev to Halidzor village was opened in October 2010.
It was included in the Guinness World Records as world's "longest non-stop double track cable car."
Capriana Monastery - Moldova
Wall paintings in the Orthodox church
Căpriana monastery is a monastery in Căpriana, Moldova, located 40 km north-west of Chişinău.
One of the oldest monasteries of Moldova, Căpriana is located 40 km (25 mi) to the north-west of the country's capital Chișinău in a picturesque forested area once called Codrii Lăpușnei.
The first significant reference dates from a document issued in 1429 that gave Căpriana the status of royal monastery on behalf of Alexander the Good. In this deed the holy abode was referred to as "mănăstirea de la Vâșnovăț unde este egumen Chiprian" (the monastery of Vâșnovăț where the hegumen is Chiprian) and was given in the possession of Alexander's wife - princess Marena.
This week I attended the institute trip to Klosterneuburg Monastery near Vienna. At our arrival we had an hour free to walk around and I took a look into the church. Unfortunately there was a locked iron gate such that I was only able to take a picture from the entrance, where this wide angle shot turned out to look very impressive. Since carrying a tripod would have been way to heavy I had to shoot at ISO 800 which yields a fairly noisy picture, but I hope you like it anyway!
In de christelijke iconografie is een tros druiven het symbool van het Laatste Avondmaal en daarmee van het bloed van Jezus Christus.
We hadden het geluk om een namiddagdienst bij te wonen. Priesters werken en studeren ter plaatse. Voor de lokale en heel devote bevolking is er steeds een priester in de dichte nabijheid.
The monastery of Tatev (Armenian : Տաթեվ, Russian: Татев) - established in 895 - is located in the Tatev village. The term "Tatev" usually refers to the monastery. The monastery always performed an important role in the history of the region, becoming its political, spiritual and cultural center.
The Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa, Poland, is a famous Polish shrine to the Virgin Mary and one of the country's places of pilgrimage for many the monastery is a spiritual capital. The image of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa, also known as Our Lady of Częstochowa, to which miraculous powers are attributed, is one of Jasna Góra's most precious treasures.
Jasna Góra Monastery was founded in 1382 by Pauline monks who came from Hungary at the invitation of Władysław, Duke of Opole. The monastery has been a pilgrimage destination for hundreds of years, and it contains an important icon of the Virgin Mary. The icon, depicting the Mother of God with the Christ Child, is known as the Black Madonna of Częstochowa or Our Lady of Częstochowa, which is widely venerated and credited with many miracles.[3] Among these, it is credited with miraculously saving the Jasna Góra monastery during a siege that took place at the time of The Deluge, a 17th-century Swedish invasion. The event stimulated the Polish resistance. The Poles could not immediately change the course of the war, but, after an alliance with the Crimean Khanate, they repulsed the Swedes. Shortly thereafter, in the cathedral of Lviv, on April 1, 1656, Jan Kazimierz, the King of Poland, solemnly pronounced his vow to consecrate the country to the protection of the Mother of God and proclaimed Her the Patron and Queen of the lands in his kingdom.
Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI have both prayed in this Chapel.
Paul VI wanted to use his visit at Jasna Góra to offer to the custodians of the image of Our Lady of Częstochowa the gold rose, the highest distinction to be granted by the pope. His absence prevented this and the golden rose was donated only by John Paul II during his first pilgrimage to Poland. The other rose for Our Lady of Częstochowa was offered by Benedict XVI in 2006
The 6th World Youth Day was hosted in Poland in the city of Czestochowa. The theme for WYD1991 was taken from St. Paul's letter to Romans: "You received the Spirit of adoption, enabling us to cry out 'Abba, Father!'" (Rom 8, 15).
Pope Francis will pray here on
on 28 July during WYD
© Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk
Humor Monastery located in Mănăstirea Humorului, about 5 km north of the town of Gura Humorului, Romania. It is a monastery for nuns dedicated to the Dormition of Virgin Mary, or Theotokos. It was constructed in 1530 by Voievod Petru Rareş and his chancellor Teodor Bubuiog. The monastery was built over the foundation of a previous monastery that dated from around 1415. The Humor monastery was closed in 1786 and was not reopened until 1990.
The church has been inscribed by UNESCO on its list of World Heritage Sites, as one of the Painted churches of Moldavia.
The last monastery in Bukovina we visited. We got there just before a large group of tourists arrived, so for a few minutes at least if was very peaceful.
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Haghpat Monastery, also known as Haghpatavank (Armenian: Հաղպատավանք), is a medieval monastery complex in Haghpat, Armenia.
The monastery was founded by Queen Khosrovanuysh, wife of the Bagratid king Ashot III, probably in 976. The nearby monastery at Sanahin was built around the same time.
The location of Haghpat Monastery was chosen so that it overlooks the Debed River in northern Armenia's Lori region. It was built, not on a peak, but halfway up a hillside on a site chosen to afford protection and concealment from prying eyes and also in response to a kind of monastic humility. It is built on a verdant promontory located in the middle of a mountain cirque, which is often wreathed in clouds. A peak on the opposite side of the river is over 2,500 meters high. The monasteries of northern Armenia are not isolated, unlike their counterparts in the country's arid regions. They were built in a village environment and Haghpat is surrounded by many hamlets.
The largest church in the complex, the Cathedral of Surb Nishan, probably begun in 976, was completed in 991 by king Smbat. It is a typical example of tenth century Armenian architecture, its central dome rests on the four imposing pillars of the lateral walls. The outside walls are dotted with triangular recesses. A fresco in the apse depicts Christ Pantocrator. Its donor, the Armenian Prince Khutulukhaga, is depicted in the south transept (a transversal nave intersecting the main nave). The sons of the church's founder, Princes Smbat and Kurike, are shown with Queen Khosravanuysh in a bas-relief on the east gable. Apart from one or two minor restorations carried out in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, the church has retained its original character.
There are several other structures at the site as well. There is the small domed Church of Sourb Grigor (St. Gregory ) from 1005. Two side chapels were added to the original church; the larger one built in the beginning of the 13th century and the smaller, known as "Hamazasp House", built in 1257. In 1245, a three-story tall free-standing belltower was constructed. Other 13th century additions include the chapel of Sourb Astvatsatsin, the scriptorium, and a large refectory which is outside the monastery limits.
There are also a number of splendid khachkars (cross-stones) of the 11th-13th centuries standing on the territory of the monastery, the best known among them is the "Amenaprkich" (All-Savior) khachkar which has been standing since 1273.
The monastery has been damaged many times. Sometime around 1130, an earthquake destroyed parts of Haghpat Monastery and it was not restored until fifty years later. It also suffered numerous attacks by armed forces in the many centuries of its existence and from a major earthquake in 1988. Nevertheless, much of the complex is still intact and stands today without substantial alterations.
Visit of the Glendalough Monastery complex - Walk from the monastery to Upper Lake and a desolate landscape around.
The highlight of any visit to Lisbon, this is a stunning place with the cloister being simply superb. Situated in Belém and easily reached by public transport allow a half day to visit to what is a World Heritage Site .
From Sacred Locations.
Founded in 1501, the magnificent Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos) in Lisbon is a great monument to the Age of Discovery and a magnificent example of the Manueline style of architecture. The monastery was founded by King Manuel I in celebration of - and funded by - successful Portuguese voyages around the world.
History of Jeronimos Monastery
In 1496, King Manuel I (1495–1521) asked the pope for permission to build a great monastery in thanks to the Virgin Mary for Vasco de Gama's successful voyage to India. The request was granted and construction began on the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos on January 6, 1501. The project was funded by treasures from explorations in Africa, Asia, and South America, as well as a stiff tax on the Portuguese-controlled spice trade with Africa and the East.
The king hired French architect Diogo de Boitaca (1460-1528; master of the pioneering Igreja de Jesus in Setúbal), who was later succeeded by João de Castilho (1475-1552) of Spain, Diogo de Torralva (c.1500-1566), and Jerónimo de Ruão (1530-1601). The site Manuel chose for the new monastery was on the banks of the Tagus river, replacing a small chapel dedicated to St. Mary of Belém by Henry the Navigator.
King Manuel I named his new foundation the Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Belém and invited the Order of St. Jerome (Hieronymites, or dos Jerónimos) to occupy it. The powerful Hieronymites were known for their contemplative spirituality and productive intellectual output; they also shared the king's political views.
The Hieronymites monk were expected to celebrate daily mass for the souls of Prince Henry the Navigator, King Manuel I and his successors in perpetuity, in addition to hearing confessions and providing spiritual counsel to seamen and navigators who sailed from Belém.
As for the monastery, it would be not only a thank-offering to the Virgin Mary but a lasting monument to the Age of Discovery and the mausoleum of King Manuel I and his successors. The project was completed around 1600, by which time Renaissance and Baroque elements were incorporated into the design.
The 1755 earthquake damaged the monastery but thankfully did not destroy it. Many restoration projects have been undertaken since then, some executed better than others. The Hieronymites occupied the monastery for 400 years until the dissolution of the monasteries in 1833, when the building became state property. It was used as a college for the Casa Pia of Lisbon (a children's charity) until around 1940.
What to See at Jeronimos Monastery
Jerónimos Monastery is an prime example of Manueline architecture, a style unique to Portugal that combines Flamboyant Gothic, Moorish, and early Renaissance influences. It is characterized by an elaborate use of sculptural detail and often includes maritime motifs. Other notable Manueline structures in Portugal include Batalha Monastery and the Templar Convento de Cristo in Tomar.
The main entrance to the monastic church is the south portal, designed by João de Castilho. Occupying the central pillar is a statue of Henry the Navigator. Inside, fragile-looking pillars covered with sculpture support a complex web of lierne vaulting over three aisles. Much of the artwork depicts scenes of St. Jerome, translator of the Vulgate and patron of the Hieronymite order.
The west door leads into the cloisters, where the stonework is even more impressive than the church. Designed by João de Castilho, the cloisters have two levels, the lower one having a groin vault and the most exuberant decoration. Virtually every surface of the arches and pillars are covered in elaborate Manueline sculpture.
Jerónimos Monastery contains the tombs of King Manuel and other Portuguese royalty, as well as many important figures from Portuguese history. Most famous among the latter is Vasco de Gama, whose accomplishments at sea inspired the monastery. Other notables include the romantic poet Herculano (1800-54) and the poet Fernando Pessoa.
Part of the monastic complex is the freestanding Chapel of St. Jerome, built in 1514. It is a small rectangular building with conical pinnacles at the four corners and stone "rope" along the roofline. Gargoyles look out from the corners. From the west doorway, there is a fine view all the way out to sea.
Wall paintings.
Stakna Monastery.
Stakna Gompa of Ladakh is situated on the right bank of the Indus River, at a distance of approximately 25 km from the town of Leh. The name, 'Stakna' literally means 'tiger's nose'. The monastery was so named because it was built on a hill, which is shaped just like a tiger's nose.
Stakna Monastery of Leh Ladakh owes its inception to Chosje Jamyang Palkar, the great scholar saint of Bhutan. It formed a part of the many religious estates offered by the Dharmaraja Jamyang Namgial to the saint, around 1580 AD.
The central image inside the monastery is that of the sacred Arya Avalokitesvara from Kamrup (Assam). Stakna belongs to the Dugpa order and serves as the residence of approximately 30 monks. The successive reincarnations of the Stakna Tulku continue to serve as the incumbents of the monastery, preserving the teachings of the Dugpa order. Stakna Gompa also has a number of monasteries attached to it, namely Mud and Kharu and those of Stakrimo, Bardan and Sani in Zanskar.
On entering the central courtyard, one comes across the Dukhang (main assembly hall). The head lama got seven feet high, silver gilted chorten erected inside the Dukhang, in the 1950s. The chorten comprises of a statue of the Buddha as well as numerous Buddhist texts. The left wall of the Dukhang is adorned with three new paintings, those of the Tsephakmad (a Buddhist deity), Sakyamni (the Historical Buddha) and Amchi (the Medical Buddha).
The wall opposite to the Dukhang entrance is also painted with three images, those of a Bodhisattva, Padma Sambhava (8th century Indian Buddhist scholar and translator of Buddhist texts into Tibetan) and Tshong-san-gompo (an early king of Tibet). To the right of the hall are the statues of Sakyamuni (Past Buddha), the Present Buddha and Maitreya (Future Buddha). And, the throne of the head lama of Stakna lies on the left side of the Dukhang
Capriana Monastery - Moldova
The scenic area around the monastery
Căpriana monastery is a monastery in Căpriana, Moldova, located 40 km north-west of Chişinău.
One of the oldest monasteries of Moldova, Căpriana is located 40 km (25 mi) to the north-west of the country's capital Chișinău in a picturesque forested area once called Codrii Lăpușnei.
The first significant reference dates from a document issued in 1429 that gave Căpriana the status of royal monastery on behalf of Alexander the Good. In this deed the holy abode was referred to as "mănăstirea de la Vâșnovăț unde este egumen Chiprian" (the monastery of Vâșnovăț where the hegumen is Chiprian) and was given in the possession of Alexander's wife - princess Marena.
Po Lin Monastery is a Buddhist monastery, located on Ngong Ping Plateau, on Lantau Island, in Ngong Ping, Hong Kong.
The Ngong Ping 360, consisting of the Ngong Ping village and a gondola lift running between Tung Chung and Ngong Ping, was built near to the Po Lin Monastery.The monastery has boasting many prominent architectural structures, such as the Main Shrine Hall of Buddha, the Hall of Bodhisattva Skanda.
The monastery was founded in 1906 by three Zen masters of Jin Shan Monastery of Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province in China who had travelled south to Lantau Island to spread the Buddhist doctrine. The monastery was originally simply a stone thatched house without a name (Sometimes referred to as "The Big Hut") but as more and more monks gathered there a large hut was built to accommodate them. At the invitation of the three Zen masters, Monk Jixiu of Jin Shan Monastery became the first abbot in 1924 changed the name of the hut to “Po Lin Monastery”, Po Lin meaning “Precious Lotus”.
One of the monastery's former abbots was the eminent monk Venerable Fat Hot (1893-1972), who was appointed in 1930 and expanded the monastery greatly. In December 1941, when Hong Kong was under Japanese occupation and the monastery was desperately short of food, Venerable Fat Hot travelled to Guangzhou to publicise Buddhism and beg for alms and during this time founded the Hong Kong Buddhist Association and established a charitable school and Buddhist hospital. He resigned as abbot in 1952 but resumed the post again one year later. Venerable Fat Hot died in 1972 and is buried in the mountain at the back of the monastery. Since then, the monastery has further and been a major draw for tourists and locals since its main hall opened in 1972.
Construction of the Tian Tan Buddha statue, which was completed in 1993 and the opening of the Ngong Ping 360 cable car system and Ngong Ping Village in 2006 have made it one of Hong Kong's busiest attractions and a further major expansion, due for completion in 2014, has been under way since 2007. The monastery is currently home to about 100 monks and nuns.
The main temple houses three bronze statues of the Buddha – representing his past, present and future lives – as well as many Buddhist scriptures.
The area consists of the Po Lin Monastery main temple, Po Lin Monastery interiorTian Tan Buddha, a giant Buddha statue completed in 1993, is an extension of the monastery.
This monastery is also famous for making wooden bracelets that are only sold near the Tian Tan Buddha statue.
Canon EOS 5D, 24-70L
2013
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The Govora Monastery is an active monastery of the Romanian Orthodox Church , which was of primary importance for the existence of Slavic writing in the Danubian Principalities in the pre- Enlightenment era.
The Chrysobull of September 27, 1485, is the oldest surviving written text attesting to the monastery's existence. This means it was built during the reign of Vlad Dracula . However, there is archaeological evidence that an older building from the time of Mircea the Old may have existed here .
The name of the monastery is not disputed even among Romanian linguists, and it means what is understood in Russian.
In 1637, Matei Basarab established the second printing press in the history of Wallachia in the monastery (after the one brought from Montenegro to Targovishte in the early 16th century ), which was brought from Kiev (a gift from Peter Mogila ). In 1640, the monks Miletiy Macedonian and Stefan Ohridski printed the " Rules of Dialogue " in the monastery printing house, which are actually the Kormchaya Kniga ( The Kormchaya Book ).
Current painting dates from the restoration of the church by abbot Paisie, late 17th or early 18th century.
source: ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%93%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0