View source for 8 Wonders of the Buddhist World

[[Image:Mahabodhi1.jpg|150px|thumb|right|The [[Maha Bodhi Temple]]]]
[[Image:Dalada1.JPG|150px|thumb|right|Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic]]

'''The Eight Wonders of the (Theravada) Buddhist World''':

(as suggested by [[David N. Snyder|Dr. David N. Snyder]])

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World is the first known list of the most remarkable man-made creations of classical antiquity, and was based on guide-books popular among Hellenic sight-seers and only includes works located around the Mediterranean rim. The number seven was chosen because the Greeks believed it to be the representation of perfection and plenty.  Many similar lists have been made, including lists for the Medieval World and the Modern World.

Since this is a Buddhist list, eight are chosen here ([[The Noble Eightfold Middle Path]] makes 8 a significant number).  There are numerous landmark Buddhist sites, so to help narrow down the list, this list focuses on the early teachings of Buddhism; the [[Theravada]].

==1. Maha Bodhi Temple==
{{Main|Maha Bodhi Temple}}

The [[Maha Bodhi Temple]] in [[Bodh Gaya]], India marks the sport where the Buddha attained enlightenment.  It was most likely first built by King [[Ashoka]] in the third century BCE.  It is the holiest place in Buddhism, due to the fact that this is the place of enlightenment, the goal and purpose of the [[Dhamma]]. 

==2. Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic==
{{Main|Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic}}

The Sri Dalada Maligawa or The [[Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic]] is a temple in the city of Kandy in [[Sri Lanka]]. It was built within the royal palace complex which houses the tooth relic of the Buddha.  The tooth relic has been at this site since the 3rd century BCE.

==3. Dambulla cave temple==
{{Main|Dambulla cave temple}}

[[Image:Dambulla2.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Dambulla cave temple]]
There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area of this temple in [[Sri Lanka]].  The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains.  Major attractions are spread over 5 caves, which contain statues and paintings. The paintings and statues are related to the [[Buddha]] and his life.  The caves have been used as a temple since the 1st century BCE.

==4. Shwedagon Pagoda==
{{Main|Shwedagon Pagoda}}

[[Image:Shwedagon.jpg|150px|thumb|left|Shwedagon Pagoda]]
[[Shwedagon Pagoda]] is the holiest site in [[Burma]] (Myanmar).  It was most likely built sometime between the 6th and 10th centuries.  According to legends, there are relics from the last four Buddhas enshrined in the Pagoda.

==5. Angkor Wat==
{{Main|Angkor Wat}}

[[Image:Angkorwat.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Angkor Wat]]
[[Angkor Wat]] in [[Cambodia]] is the largest Buddhist structure and complex in history.  The outer wall encloses 820,000 square meters.  It started as a Hindu temple in the 12th century and became a Buddhist temple about 100 years later and has remained a [[Theravada]] Buddhist temple ever since.

==6. Temple of the Emerald Buddha==
{{Main|Temple of the Emerald Buddha}}

[[Image:Emeraldbuddha.jpg|150px|thumb|right|The Emerald Buddha]]
Located in Bangkok, [[Thailand]], the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is considered the holiest temple in Thailand.  The statue dates to 1434 and the temple was constructed beginning in 1785.

==7. Global Pagoda==
{{Main|Global Pagoda}}

[[Image:Globalpagoda.jpg|150px|thumb|right|The Global Pagoda]]
The [[Global Pagoda]] is in Mumbai, [[India]]. The Global Pagoda was built out of gratitude to the [[Buddha]], his teaching and the community of monks practicing his teaching. Its traditional Burmese design is an expression of [[S. N. Goenka]]'s gratitude towards the country of Myanmar (Burma) for preserving the practice of vipassana.

The inside of the pagoda is hollow and serves as a very large meditation hall with an area covering more than 6000 m2 (65,000 ft2).  This magnificent structure represents the rapid spread of the [[Dhamma]] assisted by teachers such as [[S. N. Goenka]] who is the leader of the project and also that the [[Dhamma]] is coming back home, to [[India]].

==8. Internet and internet forums==

In November 2006 the newspaper ''USA Today'', named the internet as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.  This is appropriate for this [[Theravada]] Buddhist list too because a sizeable percentage of modern Buddhists now receive their Buddhist information and instruction off the internet, with reference sites such as [[Dhamma Wiki milestones|Dhamma Wiki]].  Numerous online forums exist to discuss the [[Dhamma]], such as [[Dhamma Wheel]].  Monks and nuns also participate in these forums and offer advice and teachings via blogs, websites, and forums.

==See also==

*[[List of Buddhist Records and Trivia]]
*[[The appeal of Buddhism]]
*[[Buddhists in the world]]
*[[Theravada Buddhists in the World]]
*[[Misconceptions about Buddhism]]

[[Category:Temples]]
[[Category:Buddha's Lists]]
[[Category:The 8 Wonders of the Buddhist World]]