Buddhist monasteries of Rabangla

Buddhist monasteries, or *viharas*, originated in India around the 5th century BCE as places for monks to live and meditate. Initially, they were simple shelters during the rainy season, but they evolved into centers of learning and spiritual practice. As Buddhism spread across Asia, monasteries flourished in countries like China, Japan, and Tibet, becoming integral to religious and cultural life. These monasteries housed monastic communities and played a key role in preserving Buddhist texts, art, and teachings, while also serving as places of refuge, education, and pilgrimage for laypeople.