The dwelling places (monasteries) used by Buddhist monks were called:

Viharas were monasteries, the residences or dwelling places of Buddhist monks.

About viharas:

• In the early days, Buddhist monks wandered from place to place, except during the rainy season, when they stayed in one place.
• Wealthy supporters, kings and merchants donated land and buildings where monks could live during the rains.
• Over time, these became permanent monasteries, called viharas.
• Early viharas were often made of wood, and later of brick; many were cut into rock.

Structure of a vihara:

• A vihara usually had a central courtyard or hall, surrounded by small cells (rooms) for monks.
• Each cell had a stone bed and a niche for a lamp.
• Many viharas also had a shrine with an image of the Buddha (in later periods).

Rock-cut viharas:

• Many rock-cut viharas were built in western India, especially in Maharashtra, at sites such as Ajanta, Ellora, Karla, Bhaja, Nashik and Kanheri.
• NCERT notes that caves were hollowed out of hills for monks to live in.

Viharas as centres of learning:

• Large viharas became great universities, where monks and students studied Buddhism, philosophy, medicine, logic, grammar and other subjects.
• Famous examples include Nalanda, Vikramashila, Odantapuri and Valabhi.

The word "vihara" in place names:

The state of Bihar takes its name from "vihara", because of the large number of Buddhist monasteries in the region.

Buddhist architecture:

• "Stupa": a mound containing relics, an object of worship.
• "Vihara": a residence for monks.
• Prayer halls with a stupa at one end were built for worship.
• "Torana": a gateway to a stupa.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Chaityas were another type of Buddhist building.
• ✗Stupas were relic mounds.
• ✗Toranas were gateways.