Gompa

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Thiske Gompa near Leh in Ladakh, India and is typical of Tibetan Buddhist Gompa design. Photograph (c) Ian A. Inman (Beefy_SAFC).

Dhankar gompa, Spiti, India

Gompa and ling are ecclesiastical^[1] fortifications^[2] of learning, lineage and sadhana (that may be understood as a conflation of a fortification, a monastery or nunnery, and a university (Sanskrit: vihara), located in Tibet, Ladakh (India), Nepal, and Bhutan. Their design and interior details vary from region to region, however, all follow a general sacred geometrical mandala design of a central prayer hall containing a Buddha murti or thangka, benches for the monks or nuns to engage in prayer or meditation and attached living accommodation. The gompa or ling may also be accompanied by any number of stupas. The siting and aspect of the architectural constructions, satellite buildings and grounds were founded on ancient principles of geodesic lore and environmental metaphysics.^{[citation needed]}

A gompa can also be just a meditation room or hall, without the attached living quarters. Meditation rooms in urban Buddhist centres are often referred to as gompas.

[edit] Notes

^ Ecclesiology comes from the Greek ἐκκλησία (ekklesia), which entered Latin as ecclesia, and which originally simply meant a gathering or a meeting.
^ The term "fortification" is derived from the Latin fortis ("strong") and facere ("to make").