LA ZONE MONASTIQUE

Entrusted to Japanese architect Kenzo Tange, the sacred site of Lumbini, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to a large number of Buddhist monasteries and temples built by different countries and communities. Each monastery is a cultural and religious ambassador, whose architecture, decoration and symbolism define the spirituality of each country, making Lumbini an immense showcase for Buddhist diversity. A north-south canal axis links the Maya Devi temple to the north, the birthplace of the Buddha, to the World Peace Pagoda to the south, the embodiment of unity and serenity.

Orientation. The north-south axis guides the distribution of the monasteries, which reflect the great Buddhist schools and traditions. To the west are the Chinese Zhong Hua monastery, Korean, Vietnamese and Nepalese temples, the Great Lotus Stupa and the monastery of the French Ling Son congregation. To the east are concentrated the Theravāda monasteries (Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand), and to the west, the Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna traditions (China, Korea, Vietnam, Germany, Tibet...). Each monastery reflects the culture and spirituality of its country of origin, like a huge Buddhist version of an exhibition park. The Lumbini Museum is located near the central entrance. There are several entrances to the site, but the one closest to the Lumbini hotels is on the side of the Maya Devi temple.

Visit. There are 29 monasteries in this area and 3 more outside. So you'll have to choose which one to visit, especially as some of them may not be worth a visit. If you plan to explore the site on foot from temple to temple, you'll soon be annoyed by the large number of tuk-tuks passing by and honking their horns at you all the time, and also exhausted by the heat, as the site is immense and will take several days to visit. Similarly, beggars, often children, will insistently come and beg, for example along the canal, but also at various points around the site. In the end, it's best to take a (well-negotiated) tuk-tuk for the day, which will take you, according to your predefined itinerary, very efficiently from temple to temple. You'll see "Tik Tok forbidden" written everywhere, as visitors from all over the world love to perform Tik Tok dances and make videos on the stairs or in front of the temples, which greatly displeases the monks. You can film, but the slightest Tik Tok video will prompt a guard to whistle and ask you to stop. Don't forget to take off your shoes when entering temples and monasteries, and take plenty of water and sunscreen. Don't forget to bring decent clothing covering at least your legs, and a scarf to cover your shoulders when entering the temples.

Myanmar Golden Temple. This temple, the oldest in the monastic zone, was built in 1999. Its distinctive style is strongly inspired by the famous temples of Bagan, the former royal capital, notably its shikhara (spire or tower), which evokes the shape of a stylized corncob, giving the temple a slender, majestic silhouette. The temple's impressive gilding symbolizes spiritual purity and enlightenment, fundamental values in the Buddhist quest. The color gold is also an expression of respect and offering to the Buddha's teachings.

Zhong Hua Chinese Buddhist Monastery. This splendid Chinese pagoda-style monastery is reminiscent of Beijing's Forbidden City, with its overlapping roofs and gate guarded by Fo dogs. The impeccably tended interior garden invites meditation. Every element reflects the cosmic harmony and Confucian order integrated with Buddhist practice.

Korean Temple (Dae Sung Shakya Sa). A Korean-style monastery with undulating green roofs and magnificent ceiling frescoes depicting Buddhist stories. It offers affordable accommodation and meals for retreats or meditation. Its architecture embodies the meditative simplicity of Korean Seon Zen and the path to inner awakening.

Vietnam Phat Quoc Tu Temple. With its facade decorated with artificial mountains, majestic roof and carved flora motifs, this is a magnificent temple. The structure symbolizes the union of nature and the sacred, representing the spiritual relationship between Vietnam and Nepal, and celebrates universal compassion through Buddhist architectural art.

Cambodian monastery. Inspired by the temple of Angkor Wat, this monastery is distinguished by an architecture teeming with sculptures and a portal guarded by four giant snakes 50 m long! The complex floral motifs and dragons evoke Khmer myths and symbolize divine protection and the path to enlightenment.

Sri Lankan monastery. This theravāda monastery features a raised circular platform topped by a traditional pagodon. In the center, a golden statue of Buddha in meditation is surrounded by a circumambulation path. The architecture symbolizes the circle of life, purity and attempts to embody the essence of ancient Buddhist meditation.

Royal Thai Buddhist monastery. This imposing white marble monastery, topped by an elegant blue roof, is richly carved with traditional Thai motifs. The interior contains a large golden statue of Buddha. The design reflects royalty, purity and harmony, underlining the spiritual exchange between Thailand and Nepal.

Lotus Drigung stupa (German monastery). This stupa, built by a German foundation, features a glass crown revealing a Buddha statue inside. The ceiling is decorated with spiritual frescoes. The whole evokes the purity of the lotus, a Zen symbol of peace and deep meditation in a space of contemplative silence.

World Peace Stupa. This is a major landmark in the Lumbini monastic zone, visible from afar thanks to its immense white stupa, erected by the Japanese Buddhist community. The building is accessed by a stone staircase leading to three successive levels, offering visitors a contemplative climb. Each level invites meditation and reflection, enhanced by the presence of four large golden Buddha statues, facing the four cardinal points. These statues symbolize universal peace, harmony between peoples and world unity, essential messages of Buddhism's commitment to reconciliation and compassion.

Overlooking the site, the pagoda offers an exceptional panorama of the Lumbini monastic complex. However, close observation reveals that some of the finishing details are relatively simple, even a little crude.

Thousand Buddha Temple (new). This Tibetan temple, recently inaugurated in November 2024 (officially named "Pal Thubten Shedrub Ling"), is the site's major new construction. It was consecrated by the Venerable Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, renowned master of Tibetan Buddhism and founder of the Rangjung Yeshe Institute. Its inauguration ceremony, which lasted several days, attracted over 8,000 participants. The main hall houses three monumental Buddha statues: Dipamkara (Buddha of the past), Shakyamuni (Buddha of the present) and Maitreya (Buddha of the future), each measuring around 4.8 metres in height. These statues are framed by a wall covered with 1,000 small Buddha heads, all in copper and gilded with fine gold, forming a sparkling mosaic.

Lumbini Museum. Located at the entrance to the sacred site, it exhibits a few archaeological artifacts, ancient sculptures and rare manuscripts, but offers little in the way of explanation. Toilets on site.

Dharma Swami Maharaja Buddha Vihar Temple. This Tibetan gompa outside the main complex was built in the Sakya tradition. Its deep interior walls are covered with dark blue frescoes depicting the life of Buddha and celestial beings. The central prayer hall, with a bronze Buddha statue flanked by two monks, is ideal for meditation. Every day, monks perform Tara Puja in an atmosphere of deep contemplation.