Difference between revisions of "Temple" - New World Encyclopedia

From New World Encyclopedia
(Expanded "Chinese...")
(Expanded "Asian Temples")
Line 3: Line 3:
 
==Temples in India==
 
==Temples in India==
  
 +
===Hindu Temples===
 +
 +
===Buddhist Temples===
  
 
==Temples in Asia==
 
==Temples in Asia==
Line 12: Line 15:
 
Beyond construction materials similarities can be found in architectural style - temple complexes are often arranged in similar ways. The complex is made up of halls (rectangular structure with large entrances on the front and back) and pavillions (open air structures, consisting of benches beneath a roof supported by slender poles). The entire complex is surrounded by a wall, with an especially elaborate gate at the entrance. The main entrances to all temples in China is situated at the South end of the complex - this is in accordance with the principles of ''[[feng shui]]''. It is thought that evil spirits enter from the North, thus a Southern entrance limits their access. However, for practical reasons, smaller gates are usually found on most or all sides of a larger temple complex. Because the main entrance is at the southmost part of the temple complex, the main hall of the temple is often located at the northmost part. Thus major halls are often oriented on a North-South axis, just as the temple complex is. Other halls are often situated on the West or East side of the major axis, and often have their entrances oriented towards the center axis.
 
Beyond construction materials similarities can be found in architectural style - temple complexes are often arranged in similar ways. The complex is made up of halls (rectangular structure with large entrances on the front and back) and pavillions (open air structures, consisting of benches beneath a roof supported by slender poles). The entire complex is surrounded by a wall, with an especially elaborate gate at the entrance. The main entrances to all temples in China is situated at the South end of the complex - this is in accordance with the principles of ''[[feng shui]]''. It is thought that evil spirits enter from the North, thus a Southern entrance limits their access. However, for practical reasons, smaller gates are usually found on most or all sides of a larger temple complex. Because the main entrance is at the southmost part of the temple complex, the main hall of the temple is often located at the northmost part. Thus major halls are often oriented on a North-South axis, just as the temple complex is. Other halls are often situated on the West or East side of the major axis, and often have their entrances oriented towards the center axis.
  
Decoration of temples often follows the universal scheme. The most prevalent colors are red and green, usually with gold detail. Similar themes can be found, regardless of the temple's affiliation: signs of the Chinese zodiac are popular, alongwith elaborate dragons, phoenixes, and other mythological creatures. Though central images will be different, depedant on the variety of temple (for instance, one expects images of [[Buddha]] and [[bodhisattva|bodhisattvas]] at a Buddhist center), the location of the images in the halls is uniform. The layout and style of Chinese temples often share characteristics with buildings designated for the emperor and imperial family.
+
Decoration of temples often follows the universal scheme. The most prevalent colors are red and green, usually with gold detail. Similar themes can be found, regardless of the temple's affiliation: signs of the Chinese zodiac are popular, alongwith elaborate dragons, phoenixes, and other mythological creatures. Though central images will be different, depedant on the variety of temple (for instance, one expects images of [[Buddha]] and [[bodhisattva|bodhisattvas]] at a Buddhist center), the location of the images in the halls is uniform. The layout and style of Chinese temples often share characteristics with buildings designated for the military or administrative purposes. In the open courtyards one will often find trees and incense burners, used to make offerings to the deities represented in the halls.
 +
 
 +
Temples in China are used primarily for the offering of gifts and devotion to the deities or bodhisattvas to which the temple (or particular hall within a temple) is dedicated. This is often a practice involving the burning of incense, chanting and prostration. Temples may also be the site of religious festivities, involving rituals, music and dance. As well, temples often have living compounds to house monks and nuns that live and work at the temple. Historically the emperor of China would use temples (most often the Temple of Heaven in modern [[Beijing]]) as a place to perform sacrifices and prayers to Heaven to secure a productive harvest season.
  
 
====Buddhist Temples====
 
====Buddhist Temples====
Line 23: Line 28:
  
 
====Confucian Temples====
 
====Confucian Temples====
 +
 +
Confucian temples are the more unique of the three common temples found in China. Though Confucius was not popularly acknowledged in his own time (at least not on the scale that following generations would), the first Confucian temple was built around 478 B.C.E. in his hometown, modern Qufu. The general layout is similar to other temples, but the emphasis on images is significantly scaled back; the focus is on teachings rather than devotion. Evidence for this is found in the absence of major images (aside from the occasional statue of Confucius, a concession to the devotionally minded) and the abundance of lecture halls and, in larger complexes, stele with important works inscribed on them. Traditionally, the activities in a Confucian temple were related to classical learning, especially of music and ritual. Currently a major celebration held at Confucian temples is Confucius' birthday. In terms of numbers Confucian temples are surpassed by both Buddhist temples and Taoist temples in modern China.
 +
 +
===Japanese and Korean Temples===
 +
 +
Just as Buddhist architectural styles were transmitted to China alongside Buddhist teaching, Korea and Japan inherited temple styles from China with the introduction of Buddhism to these regions. Like China, however, Korean and Japanese temple planners made changes, either of necessity or to suit local taste. Korean buildings were more likely to be built of stone than Chinese temples, similar to the temples found in the Northern regions of China. When Japanese forms of Buddhism entered more esoteric phases temples became less about prestige and grew more modest, and included sections for rituals performed by monks in private.
  
 
==Temples in the Mediterranean==
 
==Temples in the Mediterranean==
  
 +
===Egyptian Temples===
 +
 +
===Greek and Roman Temples===
  
 
===Biblical Temple===
 
===Biblical Temple===
Line 33: Line 47:
  
 
==Temples in the Americas==
 
==Temples in the Americas==
 +
 +
===Mesoamerican Temples===
  
 
<!--
 
<!--

Revision as of 20:23, 10 July 2006

The word "temple" generally refers to a structure built for the purpose of worship or ritual, or a structure that in some other way serves as a sacred space. Temple practice, construction and importance vary greatly between traditions. The English word is derived from the Latin word templum ("sacred place").

Temples in India

Hindu Temples

Buddhist Temples

Temples in Asia

Chinese Temples

Temples in China share a great deal of common characteristics, whether they are Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian, or associated with a folk tradition. In line with the Chinese approach to spirituality, the boundaries between different traditions need not be emphasized. This is clear when the parellels between temples with different religious affiliations are compared. For instance, the materials from which all temples are built is often timber, depending on availability; in the northern regions of China brick is employed alongside timber. Similarities are broader than simply construction materials, however: even secular buildings are composed of similar stuff, due to necessity. It can be said the Chinese temple style is somewhat universal amongst Chinese religions, though each tradition adds its own nuance to its particular buildings.

Beyond construction materials similarities can be found in architectural style - temple complexes are often arranged in similar ways. The complex is made up of halls (rectangular structure with large entrances on the front and back) and pavillions (open air structures, consisting of benches beneath a roof supported by slender poles). The entire complex is surrounded by a wall, with an especially elaborate gate at the entrance. The main entrances to all temples in China is situated at the South end of the complex - this is in accordance with the principles of feng shui. It is thought that evil spirits enter from the North, thus a Southern entrance limits their access. However, for practical reasons, smaller gates are usually found on most or all sides of a larger temple complex. Because the main entrance is at the southmost part of the temple complex, the main hall of the temple is often located at the northmost part. Thus major halls are often oriented on a North-South axis, just as the temple complex is. Other halls are often situated on the West or East side of the major axis, and often have their entrances oriented towards the center axis.

Decoration of temples often follows the universal scheme. The most prevalent colors are red and green, usually with gold detail. Similar themes can be found, regardless of the temple's affiliation: signs of the Chinese zodiac are popular, alongwith elaborate dragons, phoenixes, and other mythological creatures. Though central images will be different, depedant on the variety of temple (for instance, one expects images of Buddha and bodhisattvas at a Buddhist center), the location of the images in the halls is uniform. The layout and style of Chinese temples often share characteristics with buildings designated for the military or administrative purposes. In the open courtyards one will often find trees and incense burners, used to make offerings to the deities represented in the halls.

Temples in China are used primarily for the offering of gifts and devotion to the deities or bodhisattvas to which the temple (or particular hall within a temple) is dedicated. This is often a practice involving the burning of incense, chanting and prostration. Temples may also be the site of religious festivities, involving rituals, music and dance. As well, temples often have living compounds to house monks and nuns that live and work at the temple. Historically the emperor of China would use temples (most often the Temple of Heaven in modern Beijing) as a place to perform sacrifices and prayers to Heaven to secure a productive harvest season.

Buddhist Temples

A great deal of Buddhist temple architecture in China was derived from Indian Buddhist temples, transmitted with Buddhist teachings via Central Asia in the third and fourth centuries C.E. The most identifiable influence of Indian Buddhist architecture is the pagoda - the Chinese interpretation of the stupa. Like the stupa, the pagoda serves as a repository for important artefacts, most often scriptures and images, but occasionally relics. However, the pagoda became a focus for the Chinese Buddhist temple, being built on scales that greatly exceeded their Indian predecessors. During the Mongol Yuan dynasty temples built bore a resemblance to Tibetan Buddhist temples, due to the close links between Mongol leaders and the Tibetan Buddhist community.

Taoist Temples

In Taoisms philosophical beginnings there was little need for temples; the ideal of separation from society indicated temple construction to be counter-productive. However, the need for Taoist temples grew due to two developments that coincided during the early and middle part of the first millenium: the introduction of Buddhism on a large scale and the development of "religious" Taoism. This shift in the popular perception of Taoism suggested that this native Chinese religion needed to address the foreign tradition of Buddhism and had to do so in the context of the community. Thus the emergence of Taoist temples roughly coincides with the emergence of Buddhist temples in China. It is not surprising then that a great deal of Buddhist temple style is found in Taoist temples. Aside from different imagery (Taoist rather than Buddhist) the two are quite similar in appearance. Taoist temples can be found throughout China, but important complexes can be found in abundance at any of the five sacred peaks, most notably Tai Shan.

Confucian Temples

Confucian temples are the more unique of the three common temples found in China. Though Confucius was not popularly acknowledged in his own time (at least not on the scale that following generations would), the first Confucian temple was built around 478 B.C.E. in his hometown, modern Qufu. The general layout is similar to other temples, but the emphasis on images is significantly scaled back; the focus is on teachings rather than devotion. Evidence for this is found in the absence of major images (aside from the occasional statue of Confucius, a concession to the devotionally minded) and the abundance of lecture halls and, in larger complexes, stele with important works inscribed on them. Traditionally, the activities in a Confucian temple were related to classical learning, especially of music and ritual. Currently a major celebration held at Confucian temples is Confucius' birthday. In terms of numbers Confucian temples are surpassed by both Buddhist temples and Taoist temples in modern China.

Japanese and Korean Temples

Just as Buddhist architectural styles were transmitted to China alongside Buddhist teaching, Korea and Japan inherited temple styles from China with the introduction of Buddhism to these regions. Like China, however, Korean and Japanese temple planners made changes, either of necessity or to suit local taste. Korean buildings were more likely to be built of stone than Chinese temples, similar to the temples found in the Northern regions of China. When Japanese forms of Buddhism entered more esoteric phases temples became less about prestige and grew more modest, and included sections for rituals performed by monks in private.

Temples in the Mediterranean

Egyptian Temples

Greek and Roman Temples

Biblical Temple

Though temples throughout ancient Israel are recorded in the Hebrew Bible and found in archaeological expeditions, the primary temples of Judaism are the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. The First Temple is often dated from between 960 - 950 B.C.E. to its destruction by the Babylonians in 587-586 B.C.E. The Second Temple is dated from 516 B.C.E. to 70 C.E.


Temples in the Americas

Mesoamerican Temples

Credits

New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:

The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:

Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.