One of the first few caves was this huge cathedral type room, with a big arched ceiling and lots of columns, and huge Buddhas on either side of the entrance. There were also lots of smaller sitting and dancing Buddhas, and there was one with legs that looked like snakes. And, of course, there were lots of stupas to worship around. (stupa = lingam, in terms of what they look like. Cylinder with a dome on tope, varying heights and widths)

The caves were arranged in little groups all over the hillside, so that when the monks stayed there they had some privacy but some community feeling as well. There were stairs up and along the rock face of the hill to each cave.

In the center of the main area was a tumbling little stream with a few waterfalls and a handful of pools. There were several caves facing each other on either side of it. One of these was a larger cave with several long benches in it, like a communal dining hall or prayer hall. It was very quiet inside, and must have been a good place to reflect on why you had decided to become a monk. The whole area was, of course, very peaceful, but the stubborn stillness of the study room was reassuringly calm. There was a pervasive hush throughout the room, like in a very solemn library. As soon as you walked back outside of the hall, you could hear the pretty sounds of the waterfall, and nature started coming to life again.