vihara

American  

[vi-hahr-uh] / vɪˈhɑr ə /

noun

1. a meeting place of Buddhist monks.

2. a Buddhist monastery.

3. Also called Brahma Vihara.  (initial capital letter) one of the four states of mind, namely love, compassion, sympathetic gladness, and equanimity, to be developed by every Buddhist.

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Etymology

Origin of vihara

First recorded in 1875–80, vihara is from the Sanskrit word vihāra

Example Sentences

Leelarathna, raised in a Muslim family in Sri Lanka’s small Malay community, had converted to Buddhism and became devout, attending weekly meditation sessions at Maithree Vihara.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 31, 2021

The head priest at the London Buddhist Vihara monastery has been invited primarily to show the royal family and the British government's respect for Buddhist tradition.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 10, 2011

The "Chaitya Vihara" or chapel cave alone is worth a visit.

From By-Ways of Bombay by Edwardes, S. M. (Stephen Meredyth)

This bijou palace was situated at the extremity of the royal park, and one of its walls was built into the sacred lake of Vihara.

From The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Vol. 1 Boule de Suif and Other Stories by Maupassant, Guy de

Among the oldest inscriptions discovered are those on the rock cells of the Vessagiri Vihara of Anuradhapura, cut in the old Brahma-lipi character.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 7 "Cerargyrite" to "Charing Cross" by Various