Bharatwiki Socrates at 07:44, 24 November 2023

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{{Short description|Style of building}}
[[File:Borobudur-Temple-Park Indonesia Stupas-of-Borobudur-04.jpg|thumb|270px|[[Buddha statue]] in [[Borobudur]] ([[Indonesia]]), the world's largest [[Buddhist temple]].]]

'''Buddhist religious architecture''' developed in the [[Indian subcontinent]]. Three types of structures are associated with the [[sacred architecture|religious architecture]] of [[History of Buddhism|early Buddhism]]: monasteries ([[vihara]]s), places to venerate relics ([[stupa]]s), and shrines or prayer halls ([[chaitya]]s, also called ''chaitya grihas''), which later came to be called temples in some places.

The initial function of a stupa was the veneration and safe-guarding of the relics of [[Gautama Buddha]]. The earliest archaeologically known example of a stupa is the relic stupa located in [[Vaishali (ancient city)|Vaishali]], [[Bihar]] in India.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Fogelin |first1=Lars |title=An Archaeological History of Indian Buddhism |date=2015 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780199948239 |page=85}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Lahiri |first1=Nayanjot |title=Ashoka in Ancient India |date=2015 |publisher=Harvard University Press |isbn=9780674057777 |pages=246–247}}</ref>

In accordance with changes in religious practice, stupas were gradually incorporated into chaitya-grihas (prayer halls). These are exemplified by the complexes of the [[Ajanta Caves]] and the [[Ellora Caves]] ([[Maharashtra]]). The [[Mahabodhi Temple]] at [[Bodh Gaya]] in [[Bihar]] is another well-known example.

The [[pagoda]] is an evolution of the Indian stupas.

==Early development in India==
{{anchor | India | Early development | History }}
{{main | Buddhist temple#Arch | l1= Buddhist temple architecture | Architecture of India#Indic | l2= Architecture of Indic religions | Ancient Indian architecture | Vastu shastra | Shilpa Shastras }}

[[File:Sanchi1 N-MP-220.jpg|thumb|right|The Great Stupa in [[Sanchi]] of [[Ashoka]].]]
A characteristic new development at Buddhist religious sites was the [[stupa]]. Stupas were originally more sculpture than building, essentially markers of some holy site or commemorating a holy man who lived there. Later forms are more elaborate and also in many cases refer back to the Mount Meru model.

One of the earliest Buddhist sites still in existence is at [[Sanchi]], India, and this is centred on a stupa said to have been built by [[Ashoka the Great|King Ashoka]] (273–236 BCE). The original simple structure is encased in a later, more decorative one, and over two centuries the whole site was elaborated upon. The four cardinal points are marked by elaborate stone gateways.

As with [[Buddhist art]], architecture followed the spread of Buddhism throughout south and east Asia and it was the early Indian models that served as a first reference point, even though Buddhism virtually disappeared from India itself in the 10th century.

Decoration of Buddhist sites became steadily more elaborate through the last two centuries BCE, with the introduction of tablets and friezes, including human figures, particularly on stupas. However, the Buddha was not represented in human form until the 1st century CE. Instead, aniconic symbols were used. This is treated in more detail in [[Buddhist art]], Aniconic phase. It influenced the development of temples, which eventually became a backdrop for Buddha images in most cases.

As Buddhism spread, Buddhist architecture diverged in style, reflecting the similar trends in Buddhist art. Building form was also influenced to some extent by the different forms of Buddhism in the northern countries, practising [[Mahayana]] Buddhism in the main and in the south where [[Theravada]] Buddhism prevailed.

==Regional Buddhist architecture==
===China===
[[File:“天封塔地宫殿”匾银殿, 宁波博物馆, 2018-06-02.jpg|thumb|Miniature temple, created 1114 AD, [[Song dynasty]]]]
When Buddhism came to China, Buddhist architecture came along with it. There were many monasteries built, equaling about 45,000. These monasteries were filled with examples of Buddhist architecture, and because of this, they hold a very prominent place in Chinese architecture. One of the earliest surviving example is the brick pagoda at the Songyue Monastery in Dengfeng County.

===Indonesia===
{{further|Candi of Indonesia|Buddhism in Indonesia}}
[[File:Borobudur-Nothwest-view.jpg|thumb|[[Borobudur]], 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist temple in Magelang Regency, in [[Central Java]], [[Indonesia]]. It is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues.]]
[[File:003 Site from South-West (38244920665).jpg|thumb|[[Muara Takus]] temple, an11th century Buddhist temple in [[Sumatra]].]]

Buddhism and Hinduism reach [[Indonesia]]n archipelago in early first millennia. The oldest surviving temple structure in
Java is [[Batujaya]] temples in Karawang, West Java, dated as early as 5th century.<ref name="Perpusnas-Batujaya">{{Cite web|title=Batujaya Temple (West Java) - Temples of Indonesia|url=https://candi.perpusnas.go.id/temples_en/deskripsi-west_java-batujaya_temple_14|access-date=2020-08-09|website=candi.perpusnas.go.id|archive-date=2021-03-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302195359/https://candi.perpusnas.go.id/temples_en/deskripsi-west_java-batujaya_temple_14|url-status=live}}</ref> The temple was a Buddhist sites, as evidence of the discovered Buddhist votive tablets, and the brick [[stupa]] structure.

The apogee of ancient Indonesian Buddhist art and architecture was the era of Javanese [[Shailendra dynasty]] that ruled the [[Mataram Kingdom]] in Central Java circa 8th to 9th century CE. The most remarkable example is the 9th century [[Borobudur]], a massive stupa that took form of an elaborate stepped pyramid that took plan of stone [[mandala]]. The walls and balustrades are decorated with exquisite bas reliefs, covering a total surface area of 2,500 square metres. Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Borobudur Temple Compounds|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/592/|access-date=2020-08-09|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|archive-date=2021-05-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210530122312/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/592/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Borobudur is recognised as the largest [[Buddhist temple]] in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Largest Buddhist temple|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-buddhist-temple/?fb_comment_id=857127210974069_1712437528776362|access-date=2020-08-09|website=Guinness World Records|language=en-GB|archive-date=2020-07-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720032732/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-buddhist-temple/?fb_comment_id=857127210974069_1712437528776362|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Thailand===
{{main|Thai temple art and architecture}}
[[File:ความงามยามค่ำคืน.JPG|thumb|right|[[Wat Phra Kaew]], Bangkok, Thailand]]
In [[Thailand]], Buddhist temples are known as ''[[wat]]''’s, from the [[Pali|Pāḷi]] ''vāṭa'', meaning "enclosure." A wat usually consists of two parts: the ''Phutthawat'' (worship area dedicated to Buddha) and the ''[[Sangha (Buddhism)|Sangkha]]wat'' (monastery dedicated for Sangha).

Thai Buddhist temples usually contains golden [[Stupa|chedi]] in the form of a bell-shaped stupa tower covered with [[gold leaf]], containing a [[relic]] chamber. Another typical feature is [[Prang (architecture)|Prang]] tower in the top center of the Buddhist temple structure. Thai Buddhist temples consists of several structures, including [[Ubosot]] (ordination hall), [[Vihara|Wihan]] (vihara), [[Mondop]] (mandapa), [[Ho trai]] (library), and [[Sala (Thai architecture)|Sala]] (open pavilion), [[Bell tower (wat)|Ho rakhang]] (bell tower), and other supporting buildings.

All of those temple structures display multiple roof tiers. The use of ornamented tiers is reserved for roofs on temples, palaces and important buildings. Two or three tiers are most often used, but some royal temples have four.

===Hawaii===
Many of the Buddhist temples in Hawaii have an architectural style which is specific to the islands. Japanese immigrants who migrated to Hawaii did not have access to the same materials they would have in Japan, and the land structure called for different building techniques. Because these Japanese immigrants had all the knowledge of Buddhism and were exceptional craftsmen, these temples ended up being a good personification of their religion.{{Clarify|date=April 2023}}

There are 5 styles of architecture that can be found in the Buddhist temples of Hawaii. The styles vary because of the time periods they were used in.<ref name=":0">“Architecture and Interiors.” ''Japanese Buddhist Temples in Hawai‘i: An Illustrated Guide'', by George J. Tanabe and Wills Jane Tanabe, University of Hawai'i Press, 2013, pp. 17–42. ''JSTOR'', www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt6wqfvf.6.</ref>

====Converted houses ====
This was the earliest form of Buddhist temples in Hawaii. They took a larger plantation house and converted them into places of worship by adding things like an altar or shrines. This style offered an inexpensive way to build temples, and using residential space made the worshipers feel more connected. This style dropped in popularity during the 20th century.<ref name=":0" />

====Traditional Japanese ====
This style originated when Japanese immigrants with the existing skill of building temples and shrines moved to Hawaii. These were made to be similar to the original Japanese temples, but certain aspects had to be changed because of lesser access to materials and tools. Characteristics of this style are beam and post structure, elevated floors, and hip-and-gable roofs. The interiors had the same structure as their original counterparts in Japan.<ref name=":0" />

====Simplified Japanese ====
This style originated with Japanese immigrants who did not have the greatest shrine and temple building skills. These immigrants still wanted the temples to have their original feel, but lacked the skill to do it, so the building techniques they used were simplified. Some characteristics of this style are straight hip-and-gable roofs, as opposed to the long, sloping ones, a separate social hall, and covered entryway. These temples doubled as community centers, and were similar in style to western churches.<ref name=":0" />

====Indian Western ====
This style is unique to Hawaii, originating from Pan-Asian Buddhism, which was a combination of Indian, Japanese, and Western Buddhism. When the first temple of this style was built, the architects that were hired had no previous experience in Buddhist architecture. The style was popular up until the 1960s. It was one of the most popular styles of Buddhist architecture in Hawaii; smaller temples that could not afford to hire architects to do this to their temple would take certain aspects of this style and apply it to their temple. The interiors of these temples are very similar to the original temples in Japan.<ref name=":0" />

====House of worship ====
This style is also very similar to western churches. It became popular in the 1960s. These temples are usually made of concrete, and the roof styles vary unlike the other styles of temples. The subcategories of this style are residential, warehouse, church, and Japanesque. Like the other styles, while the exterior is dramatically different, the interior mostly remained similar to the temples in Japan.<ref name=":0"/>

==Examples==
<gallery>
File:Mahabodhitemple.jpg| [[Mahabodhi]] temple, Gaya {{flagicon|India}}
Image:SL Anuradhapura asv2020-01 img24 Jetavanaramaya Stupa.jpg|[[Jetavanaramaya]] stupa is an example of brick-clad Buddhist architecture in Sri Lanka {{flagicon|Sri Lanka}}
File:Ladakh Monastery.jpg|[[Thikse Monastery]] is the largest [[gompa]] in [[Ladakh]], built in the 1500s {{flagicon|India}}
File:Tawang Monastery (Tibetan Buddhist).jpg|[[Tawang Monastery]] in [[Arunachal Pradesh]], was built in the 1600s, is the largest monastery in India and second largest in the world after the [[Potala Palace]] in [[Lhasa]], [[Tibet]] {{flagicon|India}}
File:Vikramjit-Kakati-Rumtek.jpg|[[Rumtek Monastery]] in [[Sikkim]] was built under the direction of [[Changchub Dorje, 12th Karmapa Lama]] in the mid-1700s<ref>Achary Tsultsem Gyatso; Mullard, Saul & Tsewang Paljor (Transl.): A Short Biography of Four Tibetan Lamas and Their Activities in Sikkim, in: Bulletin of Tibetology Nr. 49, 2/2005, p. 57.</ref> {{flagicon|India}}
File:Candi Sewu viewed from the south, 23 November 2013.jpg|The [[Sewu]] temple compound, second largest Buddhist temple complex in [[Indonesia]] {{flagicon|Indonesia}}
Image:Rinpung Dzong, Bhutan 01.jpg|The [[Rinpung Dzong]] follows a distinctive type of fortress architecture found in the former and present Buddhist kingdoms of the Himalayas, most notably Bhutan {{flagicon|Bhutan}}
Image:Sanchi Stupa from Eastern gate, Madhya Pradesh.jpg|The Great Stupa in [[Sanchi]], India is considered a cornerstone of Buddhist architecture {{flagicon|India}}
File:Ulan Bator.- Gandan Monastery (3).JPG|[[Mongolia]]n statue of [[Avalokiteśvara]] (Mongolian name: [[Migjid Janraisig]]), [[Gandantegchinlen Monastery]]. Tallest indoor statue in the world, 26.5-meter-high, 1996 <small>''rebuilt''</small>, (1913)
File: 023 Reclining Buddha (38656061860).jpg|Reclining Buddha statue, this is the largest Buddha statue in [[Indonesia]] and [[Southeast Asia]]{{flagicon|Indonesia}}
File:Kalasan Temple from the north-east, 23 November 2013.jpg|[[Kalasan]], 8th-century Buddhist temple in [[Java]] island {{flagicon|Indonesia}}
Image:Vatadage.jpg|Vatadage Temple, in [[Polonnaruwa]], is a uniquely Sri Lankan circular shrine enclosing a small dagoba. The vatadage has a three-tiered conical roof, spanning a height of 40–50 feet, without a center post, and supported by pillars of diminishing height {{flagicon|Sri Lanka}}
Image:Kofukuji08s3200.jpg|Pagoda of [[Kofukuji]], [[Nara, Nara|Nara]] {{flagicon|Japan}}
Image:Ajanta Caves, India, Ajanta stupa worship hall.jpg|[[Ajanta Caves]] cave with [[chaitya]]{{flagicon|India}}
File: Candi Gumpung Muarojambi.jpg| Candi Gumpung, a Buddhist temple at [[Muaro Jambi Temple Compounds|Muaro Jambi]] of [[Melayu Kingdom|Malayu Kingdom]]. {{flagicon|Indonesia}}
File:Plaosan Temple Guardian.jpg|[[Plaosan]] temple {{flagicon|Indonesia}}
Image:Minar-i Chakri in 1836, Kabul.jpg|[[Chakari, Afghanistan|Minar-i Chakri]] in 1836, Afghanistan {{flagicon|Afghanistan}}
Image:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Temperaschilderij voorstellende de Borobudur als bedevaartsoord TMnr 75-2.jpg|A painting by G.B. Hooijer (c. 1916–1919) reconstructing the scene of Borobudur during its heyday {{flagicon|Indonesia}}
File:Potala Palace, former residence of Dalai Lama, 2006.jpg| Stupa near [[Potala Palace]], [[Lhasa]], Tibet, {{flagicon|Tibet}}
File:Shwedagon-Pano.jpg| [[Shwedagon Pagoda]], Myanmar {{flagicon|Myanmar}}
File:GreatStupa.jpg|Great Stupa at [[Shambhala Mountain Center]], United States {{flagicon|USA}}
File:Nan Hua Main Temple.jpg |Nan Hua Main Temple, [[South Africa]] {{flagicon|South Africa}}
File:Golden Temple Elista Kalmykia.jpg|Golden Temple of Shakyamuni Buddha, [[Kalmykia]], Russian Federation {{flagicon|Russia}}
File:Japantown-pagoda-crop.jpg|The five-tiered Peace [[Pagoda]] [[Japantown, San Francisco]] {{flagicon|USA}}
File:Great Drigung Kagyud Lotus Stupa.JPG|[[:Commons:Category:Great Drigung Kagyud Lotus Stupa (Lumbini)|The Great Drigung Kagyud Lotus Stupa]] in [[Lumbini]], [[Nepal]] {{flagicon|Nepal}}
File:Taktshang edit.jpg|[[Paro Taktsang]], [[Paro, Bhutan|Paro]], [[Bhutan]] {{flagicon|Bhutan}}
</gallery>

==See also==
{{portal|Architecture}}
*[[Burmese pagoda]]
*[[Candi of Indonesia]]
*[[Cetiya]]
*[[Chaitya]]
*[[Ho trai]]
*[[Kyaung]]
*[[List of Buddhist temples]]
*[[Ordination hall]]
*[[Pagoda festival]]
*[[Relics associated with Buddha]]
*[[Sala kan parian]]
*[[Stupa]]
*[[Thai temple art and architecture]]
*[[Vihāra]]
*[[Wat]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{commons category-inline}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100130185156/http://www.pem.org/library/collections/offen Peabody Essex Museum – Phillips Library: The Herbert Offen Research Collection] – ''books and items on Buddhist architecture.''

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Buddhist Architecture}}
[[Category:Buddhist architecture| ]]
[[Category:Buddhist art]]
[[Category:Sacral architecture]]

Buddhist architecture - Revision history

Bharatwiki Socrates at 07:44, 24 November 2023