temple:

In China the characteristic temple differs from the form of a dwelling only in its size and richness. Besides the temple a Buddhist monastery includes a relic shrine, a pagoda, a library, and quarters for the monks. In Japan the temple harmonizes with the picturesque landscape in which it is set, with architectural emphasis on an unsymmetrical grouping of torii (sacred gateways), shrines, pagodas, and terraces.

Sections in this article:

• Introduction
• Egyptian Temples
• Babylonian and Assyrian Temples
• Jewish Temples
• Greek Temples
• Roman Temples
• Indian Temples
• Far Eastern Temples
• Further Reading

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2023, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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