Weekend Stories
I enjoy going exploring on weekends (mostly). Here is a collection of stories and photos I gather along the way. All posts are CC BY-NC-SA licensed unless otherwise stated. Feel free to share, remix, and adapt the content as long as you give appropriate credit and distribute your contributions under the same license.
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Polonnaruwa: Buddhism, kingship, and urban renewal in medieval Sri Lanka
Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to 13th centuries, represents a transformative era in the island’s history. Following the decline of Anurādhapura, Polonnaruwa emerged as a vibrant political and religious center, marked by the restoration of Theravāda Buddhism, monumental architecture, and sophisticated urban planning. Under the reigns of visionary kings like Vijayabāhu I and Parākramabāhu I, the city became a hub of monastic reform, scriptural preservation, and hydraulic innovation. In this post, we explore Polonnaruwa’s historical significance, its role in shaping Buddhist statecraft, and its legacy as a symbol of Sri Lanka’s cultural and spiritual heritage.
Bagan-era successor states: Buddhist continuities and regional transformations in Myanmar
The fall of the Bagan Empire in the late 13th century marked a decisive turning point in Burmese history. Following centuries of political centralization and religious flourishing under Bagan’s Theravāda Buddhist kings, the empire fractured under the pressure of Mongol invasions and internal instability. The collapse of centralized rule did not, however, signal the end of Burmese Buddhism. Instead, it ushered in a period of regional fragmentation during which Buddhist institutions adapted to new political landscapes and continued to serve as vital cultural and religious anchors. The fall of the Bagan Empire in the late 13th century marked a decisive turning point in Burmese history. Following centuries of political centralization and religious flourishing under Bagan’s Theravāda Buddhist kings, the empire fractured under the pressure of Mongol invasions and internal instability. The collapse of centralized rule did not, however, signal the end of Burmese Buddhism. Instead, it ushered in a period of regional fragmentation during which Buddhist institutions adapted to new political landscapes and continued to serve as vital cultural and religious anchors.
Angkor: The Khmer empire’s sacred center
Angkor, the heart of the Khmer Empire from the 9th to 15th centuries CE, stands as one of the most iconic and enduring centers of religious and political power in Southeast Asia. Renowned for its monumental temples, including the world-famous Angkor Wat and the enigmatic Bayon, Angkor reflects a dynamic interplay of Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Over its long history, the region witnessed a remarkable religious transformation, transitioning from Hindu state cults to Mahāyāna and later Theravāda Buddhism. In this post, we examine Angkor’s historical evolution, architectural innovations, and religious significance, highlighting its role as a sacred center, a political hub, and a testament to the cultural and spiritual achievements of the Khmer civilization.
Bagan: The first unified polity of the Burmese heartland
Bagan, located in the heart of the Irrawaddy River plain in present-day Myanmar, stands as one of the most extraordinary centers of Buddhist civilization in Southeast Asia. Flourishing between the 9th and 13th centuries CE, Bagan was not only the first unified polity of the Burmese heartland but also a monumental landscape of religious devotion and artistic innovation. With thousands of temples, stupas, and monasteries spread across its plain, the city became a hub for Theravāda Buddhism, blending royal ambition with spiritual merit-making. Under the leadership of King Anawrahta and his successors, Bagan played a pivotal role in institutionalizing Theravāda orthodoxy, fostering monastic education, and facilitating the transmission of Buddhist texts and practices across the region. In this post, we explore Bagan’s historical rise, its architectural and artistic achievements, and its legacy as a sacred and cultural landmark in the Buddhist world.
Anurādhapura: Early Buddhist urbanism and monastic landscapes in Sri Lanka
Anurādhapura, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka, stands as one of the most significant centers of early Buddhist urbanism and monastic culture in South Asia. From its founding in the 4th century BCE to its decline in the 10th century CE, the city served as a political, religious, and cultural hub, shaping the development of Theravāda Buddhism. In this post, we explore Anurādhapura’s historical evolution, monumental architecture, sacred geography, and its legacy as a cornerstone of Sri Lankan Buddhist heritage.
Srivijaya: A Buddhist maritime empire in Southeast Asia
Between the 7th and 13th centuries CE, the maritime empire of Srivijaya flourished as a hub of political power, trade, and Buddhist scholarship in Southeast Asia. Strategically located in southern Sumatra, Srivijaya controlled key maritime routes and facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and religious practices between India, China, and the wider region. In this post, we explore Srivijaya’s rise, its role as a Buddhist center, and its legacy in the history of maritime Asia.
Borobudur: A Buddhist mandala in stone
Rising majestically from the Kedu Plain in Central Java, Borobudur is a masterpiece of Buddhist architecture and religious art. Constructed in the 8th to 9th centuries CE under the Sailendra dynasty, this monumental stūpa embodies Mahāyāna Buddhist cosmology and serves as a three-dimensional mandala guiding practitioners on the path to enlightenment. In this post, we explore Borobudur’s historical context, architectural symbolism, and cultural significance, highlighting its role as a sacred site and a testament to the cosmopolitanism of early medieval Java.
Buddhist institutions and sacred sites across Asia, 500–1300 CE
Between the 6th and 13th centuries CE, Buddhist institutions and sacred sites across Asia flourished as centers of learning, ritual, and cultural exchange. This period marked the height of transregional Buddhism, with monumental sites like Nālandā, Borobudur, and Bagan serving as hubs of intellectual and spiritual activity. These institutions not only preserved and disseminated Buddhist teachings but also fostered artistic innovation, architectural grandeur, and cross-cultural connections that shaped the religious landscape of Asia. In this post, we explore the development of these key centers, highlighting their roles in monastic education, pilgrimage networks, and doctrinal transmission.
Buddhist universities: Innovation and transmission in monastic education
Buddhist universities were among the most complex and influential institutions developed within the broader history of monastic education. Building on earlier forms of oral transmission and teacher-student relationships in monasteries, these universities emerged as centers of advanced learning that helped systematize Buddhist knowledge, cultivate scholastic networks, and support doctrinal transmission across regions. In this post, we examine their historical development, curricular features, architectural legacy, and long-term impact on Buddhist traditions in South, Central, and Southeast Asia.
Buddhist cave temples
Buddhist cave temples and monasteries are among the most remarkable architectural and religious achievements in the history of Buddhism. Carved into cliffs and mountains across Asia, these sites served both as places of worship and as monastic residences, reflecting a complex interplay of spiritual practice, artistic expression, and cultural exchange. From India to China, from Central Asia to Southeast Asia, these rock-cut complexes provide critical insight into the development of Buddhist institutions, the transmission of the Dharma, and the regional adaptations of sacred space.