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Buddhist architecture is the architectural style that adheres to the philosophy and religious practices ofBuddhism. Theorigins of Buddhism date back to the 5th century BCE in theIndian subcontinent. Buddhist architectural forms were developed to serve monastic, ritual, and commemorative functions.[1] Distinctive features such asstupas,vihāras (monasteries), andchaityas (prayer halls) are often seen inBuddhist temples.
As Buddhismspread throughout and beyond South Asia, its architectural traditions evolved and diversified, leading to a wide range of regional adaptations across Southeast Asia and East Asia. It has been argued that certain stylistic features of Buddhist architecture, particularly thestupa, may have been influenced by elements fromHindu temple architecture, such as theshikhara.[2] Over time, these forms evolved into thepagoda, a prominent architectural feature seen throughout theIndosphere and East Asia[3][4]
Three types of structures are associated with the architecture style ofearly Buddhism: monasteries (viharas), places to venerate relics (stupas), and shrines or prayer halls (chaityas, also calledchaitya grihas), which later came to be called temples in some places.
A characteristic new development at Buddhist religious sites was thestupa. The initial function of a stupa was the veneration and safe-guarding of the relics ofGautama Buddha. The earliest archaeologically known example of a stupa is theRelic Stupa of Vaishali located inBihar, India.[5][6] In accordance with changes in religious practice, stupas were gradually incorporated into chaitya-grihas (prayer halls). These are exemplified by the complexes of theAjanta Caves and theEllora Caves. TheMahabodhi Temple atBodh Gaya inBihar, India is another well-known example.
One of the earliest Buddhist sites still in existence is atSanchi, India, and this is centred on a stupa said to have been built byKing 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 withBuddhist 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 inBuddhist 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, practisingMahayana Buddhism in the main and in the south whereTheravada Buddhism prevailed.
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.
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Buddhism and Hinduism reached theIndonesian archipelago in the early first millennia. The oldest surviving temple structure in Java isBatujaya temples in Karawang, West Java, dated as early as 5th century.[7] The temple was a Buddhist sites, as evidence of the discovered Buddhist votive tablets, and the brickstupa structure.
The apogee of ancient Indonesian Buddhist art and architecture was the era of JavaneseShailendra dynasty that ruled theMataram kingdom in Central Java circa 8th to 9th century CE. The most remarkable example is the 9th centuryBorobudur, a massive stupa that took form of an elaborate stepped pyramid that took plan of stonemandala. 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.[8] Borobudur is recognised as the largestBuddhist temple in the world.[9]
InThailand, Buddhist temples are known aswats, from thePāḷivāṭa, meaning "enclosure." A wat usually consists of two parts: thePhutthawat (worship area dedicated to Buddha) and theSangkhawat (monastery dedicated for Sangha).
Thai Buddhist temples usually contains goldenchedi in the form of a bell-shaped stupa tower covered withgold leaf, containing arelic chamber. Another typical feature isPrang tower in the top center of the Buddhist temple structure. Thai Buddhist temples consists of several structures, includingUbosot (ordination hall),Wihan (vihara),Mondop (mandapa),Ho trai (library), andSala (open pavilion),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.
AfterBuddhism arrived from the continent via theThree Kingdoms of Korea in the 6th century, an effort was initially made to reproduce the original buildings as faithfully as possible, but gradually local versions of continental styles were developed both to meet Japanese tastes and to solve problems posed by local weather, which is more rainy and humid than in China.[10] The first Buddhist sects wereNara's sixNanto Rokushū (南都六宗,Nara six sects),[a] followed during the Heian period byKyoto'sShingon andTendai. Later, during theKamakura period, inKamakura were born theJōdo and the native Japanese sectNichiren-shū. At roughly the same time,Zen Buddhism arrived from China, strongly influencing all other sects in many ways, including in architecture.[11]
Stylistically, Buddhist temples andShinto shrines share common characteristics under the Japanese philosophy ofShinbutsu-shūgō (神仏習合). However during theMeiji Restoration,Emperor Meiji establishedShinbutsu bunri (神仏分離) which was a separation of the native Japanese religion ofShinto fromBuddhism.[12] It was common for a Buddhist temple to be built inside or next to a shrine, or for a shrine to include Buddhist sub-temples. If a shrine housed a Buddhist temple, it was called ajingū-ji (神宮寺,lit. shrine temple). Analogously, temples all over Japan used to adopt tutelarykami (chinju (鎮守/鎮主) After the forcible separation of temples and shrines ordered by the new government, the connection between the two religions was officially severed, however is culturally unpopular with Shinbutsu-shūgō being in practice and is still visible today.[12]
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.[clarification needed]
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.[13]
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.[13]
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.[13]
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.[13]
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.[13]
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.[13]
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![Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim was built under the direction of Changchub Dorje, 12th Karmapa Lama in the mid-1700s[14]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aVikramjit-Kakati-Rumtek.jpg)
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Media related toBuddhist architecture at Wikimedia Commons
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