chorten

[ chawr-ten ]

noun

1. (in Tibet) a monument to a distinguished Buddhist, especially a lama.

Word History and Origins

Origin of chorten¹

1890–95; < Tibetan chörten (spelling mchod rten )

Example Sentences

A chorten is a religious monument, usually made of rock and often containing sacred relics; it is also called a stupa.

From Literature

Every morning before dawn our Base Camp sirdar—an avuncular, highly respected, forty-something Sherpa named Ang Tshering—would light sprigs of juniper incense and chant prayers at the chorten; before heading into the Icefall, Westerners and Sherpas alike would walk past the altar—keeping it always on the right—and through the sweet clouds of smoke to receive a blessing from Ang Tshering.

From Literature

In the middle of the course is a 16th-century chorten, a Buddhist monument of the kind that dots the landscape all over these parts.

From Golf Digest

Monks light butter lamps and meditate at the Do-Drul Chorten pagoda complex next door.

From Reuters

Inside was a large white chorten, and painted on the cave walls and roof were some of the best preserved ancient Buddhist art I had ever seen.

From New York Times