Letchworth Buddhist Temple

The Temple



The three main spiritual objects of veneration
		The Stupa 'dhagaba' The stupa is the most characteristic monument of Buddhists. Originally stupas were mounds covering the relics of the Buddha or his followers. In its earliest stages Buddhist art didn't represent the Buddha directly. Instead, his presence was alluded to through symbols such as the bo tree, the wheel of law or his footprint. The stupa also became a symbol of the Buddha. More exactly, it became a symbol of his final release from the cycle of birth and rebirth -- the Parinirvana or the "Final Dying."

The Bodhi Tree

The bodhi tree plays a very important role for Buddhists of all traditions, being a reminder and an inspiration, a symbol of peace, of Buddhas' enlightenment and of the ultimate potential that lies within us all.At the temple we have a 'bonsai' bodhi tree which is very respectfully and lovingly cared for.

The Buddha Image

The image of the Buddha has traditionally been regarded as a most important and sacred spiritual object of the Temple, which depicts certain great qualities of the Buddha (Enlightened One) such as compassion, peacefulness, equanimity, tranquillity, poise, concentration and Perfect Wisdom.

The image of the Buddha is used as an object of concentration on the virtues of the Buddha, and for inspiration; not as an object of worship, though Buddhists do pay homage to the image out of respect and gratitude for the great qualities and contribution of the Enlightened One towards the Happiness of mankind.

Buddha images represent different aspects of His sacred nature reflected in the artistic goal of creating an aura of equanimity, perfection, and Highest Wisdom.

Followers of the Buddha pay respects to and honour Him by recollection of His noble virtues with determination to perfect themselves by following the Noble Eightfold Path,which was revealed by The Buddha. People symbolically offer lamps, incense and flowers reflecting on things such as Enlightenment, virtue and impermanence of all conditioned things, as a spontaneous expression of joy and appreciation of His teachings, which are relevent for all mankind and which are timeless in their nature.

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The temple photos

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