Design+Elements+of+Temples

=Buddhism= Buddhist temples (or stupas) are designed to represent the five major elements of Buddhism. The pinnacle at the top represents wisdom. Wisdom represent the Buddha and the Buddhas teachings. The base of the temple or the plinth represents earth. Earth is important to the Buddhist religion because earth signifies solidity and durability. Water which in a Buddhist temple is represented by the dome, signifies liquid, fluid and moisture. The crescent of a Buddhist temple represents air, air in Buddhism symbolizes movement and openess. Last of the elements, fire is represented by the spire. Fire in Buddhism represents energy and warmth. Buddhist temples can be referred to as stuapas or paragodas. Stupas are supposed to represent the first stuppa that was erected over the ashes of Buddha. A typical stupa shrine room contains offerings of lights, food, fruits and incense. They also may contain carpets (similar to the Hindus), many images of the Buddha, and a seat for the meditation teacher. Offerings can symbolize many different ideas and thoughts. Light from candles represents understanding towards others. A shell from the sea represents sound and music. Food, symbolizes taste. Incense and perfumes represent the sense of smell. Water too has many different meanings. It can symbolize touch, offering, healing, purification, satisfaction of thirst and of desires.

Bibliography

Batchelor, Anthony. "The Hindu Temple." Temple Net. July 1997. 13 Dec. 2007 

Breuilly, Elizabeth, and Joanne O’brien. Religions of The World. New York: Facts on File Inc, 1997.

Comparative Religions. New York: Facts on File Inc, 2000. Parenthetical Citation

Eckel, Malcolm D. Buddhism. New York: Duncan Baird, 2022.

White, Charles S. J. "Hinduism." World Book Online Reference Center. 2007. 13 Dec. 2007 .