Buddhist temple

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Sewu, an eighth century Mahayana Buddhist temple in Central Java, Indonesia
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A Buddhist temple or

vihara, chaitya, stupa, wat and pagoda in different regions and languages. Temples in Buddhism represent the pure land or pure environment of a Buddha. Traditional Buddhist temples are designed to inspire inner and outer peace.[1]

Architecture

Main articles: Buddhist architecture and Architecture of Indic religions

Its architecture and structure varies from region to region. Usually, the temple consists not only of its buildings, but also the surrounding environment. The Buddhist temples are designed to symbolize five elements: fire, air, water, earth and void (space).[2]

India

See also: Architecture of India, Ancient Indian architecture, Indian vernacular architecture, and Buddhist caves in India

The design of temples in India was influenced by the idea of a place of worship as a representation of the universe. For Buddhist temple complexes one tall temple is often centrally located and surrounded by smaller temples and walls. This center surrounded by oceans, lesser mountains and a huge wall.[3]

A

Karla caves or Ajanta
.

Mathura Museum

Some of the earliest free-standing temples may have been of a circular type.

Bodhi tree.[5][6] These circular-type temples were also found in later rock-hewn caves such as Tulja Caves or Guntupalli.[7]

Indonesia

Main article: Candi of Indonesia
Borobudur in Central Java, the world's largest Buddhist temple

Buddhism is the second oldest religion in

Mataram and Srivijaya
empires.

According to some Chinese source, a Chinese Buddhist monk

Batujaya in West Java, Muaro Jambi, Muara Takus and Bahal temple
in Sumatra, and numerous of statues or inscriptions from the earlier history of Indonesian Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms.

Candi tinggi, a temple within the Muaro Jambi temple compound

During the era of

Buddhists.[11] The classical era of ancient Java also had produces some of the exquisite examples of Buddhist arts, such as the statue of Prajnaparamita and the statue of Buddha Vairochana and Boddhisttva Padmapani and Vajrapani in Mendut
temple.

In contemporary

viharas in Indonesia for example, contain the actual-size replica or reconstruction of famous Buddhist temples, such as the replica of Pawon[12] and Plaosan's perwara (small) temples. In Buddhism, the role of a candi as a shrine is sometimes interchangeable with a stupa
, a domed structure to store Buddhist relics or the ashes of cremated Buddhist priests, patrons or benefactors.

Japan

Buddhist temple of Kinkaku-ji, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO
Main article: Buddhist temples in Japan

Japanese Buddhist temples typically include a Main Hall.

A distinctive feature is the

kami. Buddhism co-existed with Shinto, but in the 8th century Buddhism became the state religion and Buddhist temples were built. High concentration of important Japanese Buddhist temples can be found in Japanese culture heartland of Kansai region, especially in Nara and Kyoto
.

Thailand

Wat Benchamabophit
Main article: Thai temple art and architecture

Buddhist temples in

Sangha Buddhist monastic
community.

Sri Lanka

Jetavanaramaya tallest stupa in the ancient world
See also: Buddhism in Sri Lanka and List of Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka

Buddhist temples in Sri Lanla are known as 'Pansala' or 'Viharaya' in

Abhayagiri vihāra
located in Sri Lankan temples.

See also

References

  1. ^ "New York Buddhist Temple for World Peace". Kadampanewyork.org. 1997-08-01. Archived from the original on 2012-06-11. Retrieved 2012-06-20.
  2. ^ "Buddhism: Buddhist Worship". BBC. 2006-04-10. Archived from the original on 2018-10-02. Retrieved 2017-03-06.
  3. ^ O'Riley, Michael Kampel (2013). Art Beyond the West. Pearson Education. p. 61.
  4. ^ "Sowing the Seeds of the Lotus: A Journey to the Great Pilgrimage Sites of Buddhism, Part I" by John C. Huntington. Orientations, November 1985 pg 61
  5. ^ Buddhist Architecture, Huu Phuoc Le, Grafikol, 2010 p.240
  6. ^ A Global History of Architecture, Francis D. K. Ching, Mark M. Jarzombek, Vikramaditya Prakash, John Wiley & Sons, 2017 p.570ff Archived 2023-07-02 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Buddhist Architecture, Huu Phuoc Le, Grafikol, 2010 p. 233–237. Archived 2023-10-31 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ISBN 9788170173120. Archived
    from the original on 2023-10-31. Retrieved 2019-11-11.
  9. ISBN 9780984404308. Archived
    from the original on 2023-10-31. Retrieved 2019-11-11.
  10. ^ "Buddhism in Indonesia". Buddha Dharma Education Association. Buddha Dharma Education Association. 2005. Archived from the original on 2002-02-14. Retrieved 2006-10-03.
  11. ^ Depkumham.go.id Archived 2010-02-12 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ "Replika Candi Pawon". Vihāra Jakarta Dhammacakka Jaya. Archived from the original on 2023-08-14. Retrieved 2020-10-31.
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