User:Prof Ranga Sai/Himalayan Monasteries

Himalayan Monasteries is an assemblage of Buddhist religious monuments spread along Himalayan range covering India, Bhutan and Nepal. = Himalayan Monasteries = Buddhism had spread to the Himalayan region during Buddha's life time. During 3rd century BC, Emperor Ashoka[]visited Kathmandu in Nepal[]. Great Buddhist Masters like Vasubandhu, Santarakshaka and Padmasambhava visited Himalayan kingdoms of Nepal[] and Tibet.[] Vajrayana Buddhism is followed almost all along the  Himalayan range. Monasteries of Vajrayana Buddhism are found throughout Himalayan range in Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan; the earliest being Samye  Monastery[]in Tibet.

The religious structures of Vajrayana Buddhism in the Himalayan belt are seen as Monasteries, Lakhangs/ Gomphas and Chortens. In Mahayana Buddhism they are known as Chaitya, Vihara and Stupas, respectively.