Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Mongolia |Töv Aimag | Aryaval Temple

Wandered out to Aryaval Temple near Terelj, north of Ulaan Baatar. The temple has been under construction for several years now and should be completed this summer.

Aryaval Temple, center
Bridge leading to Aryaval Temple. The sign says, “"The Bridge to Deliver [you] Beyond Wisdom,” according to Luke Distelhorst.
Bridge with Aryaval Temple beyond
The temple while under constructionThe Kalachakra Temple, to the right of the main temple
When completed this temple will contain a thangka of Shambhala, a Kalachakra mandala, and other items connected with the Kalachakra.
In the first floor of the temple is the stunning “Gallery of Buddhist Philosophy,” with 220 original paintings by artist Bayantsagaan illustrating various points of Buddhist beliefs and philosophy.
Four of the paintingsOne of the paintings

Artist Bayantsagaan, right, explicating a fine point of Buddhist philosophy to the ever-rapt Narangua
A newly carved Buddha on the hillside above the temple
Newly constructed meditation hut in the cliffs above the temple, just visible in the center of the photo.