THE FEATURES OF BUDDHIST ARCHITECTURE

Mark Joseph D. Jimenez

AR123-1 A50
June 2, 2022
 BUDDHIST ARCHITECTURE

BACKGROUND

The Buddhist background in architecture starts off with its history from where it came

from, the Buddhism. Foundation of Buddhism and its Architecture by Le Huu Phuoc in Buddhist

Architecture, 2010. Phuoc states:

Buddha instructed his disciples shortly before his death that after his death, his Teachings
(Dharma) and their guides should be the Monastic Rules (Vinaya). Over the centuries, his
disciples would gather in his honor on a regular basis on great councils to solidify their
master's Dharma and strengthen the Sangha's influence in Indian society. These councils
also settled and resolved disputes among monks, as well as schisms within the Sangha. The
subsequent centuries' successful internationalization of Buddhism could also be attributed
to the zealous Buddhist monk missionaries and generous patronage from wealthy laity such
as kings and merchants; Following the conclusion of a council, new missionaries are
usually sent to foreign lands to spread Buddhism on every council. The Sangha held four
important councils, the most recent of which was held in 1956 CE in Myanmar. Three
councils were held in India and one in Kashmir during the first six centuries after Buddha's
death.1
Since its inception in the sixth century BCE, Buddhist architecture has undergone a lengthy
evolution; from India, it was later spread in foreign lands by Emperor Asoka's zealous
missionaries in the third century BCE. True to Buddhism's spirit, the development of
Buddhist architecture had been an open-ended process in which it absorbed a great deal of
foreign elements along its path of travel and modified its forms to acclimate to the local
conditions. Buddhist architecture, like its arts, is first and foremost an extension of its
religious philosophy, reflecting its numerous sects and schools of thought; its forms are
thus a function of its flexible and expansive programs, which have been translated into
diverse architectural forms as seen throughout Buddhist Asia. As a result, the interment
of Buddhist relics and the resulting cult necessitated the building of the Buddhist stupa
and the creation of Buddhist images. The construction of the temple was also influenced
by the Vajrayana mandala theory, which transformed architectural forms into
mandalas. Despite its many manifestations throughout Asia, Buddhist architecture can be
divided into several distinct categories according to their architectural programs, which
include the monastery, rock-hewn cave, stupa, and temple.2
In general, these are not strictly isolated structures because they are frequently found
congregating in zones or groups of similar structures within the same site. Many examples
are hybrid types; for example, an East Asian pagoda, though classified as a Relic stupa,

1. Le Huu Phuoc, Buddhist Architecture (Place of publication not identified: Grafikol,

2010).
2. Ibid.
1
 also houses Buddhist images for worship, making it functionally a temple. The Asoka
pillars, which are among the oldest and most well-known Buddhist monuments still
standing, are isolated structures built solely during the Asoka period. Though the holiest
sites associated with Buddha's life are not typologically included in this architectural
classification, some of Buddhism's most important structures are. Most influential
structures, such as the Mahabodhi Temple, have been built at these locations, and they have
made significant contributions to the evolution of Buddhist architecture.3

We learned about great Buddhist architecture from its long history, and Buddhism was mostly at

the center of all structures as temples were built to praise and worship God. Now that we've covered

its history, we'll look at who and what influenced Buddhist architecture, as well as the influences

themselves.

INFLUENCES

There are many influences of Buddhist Architecture and can be mostly spotted on many

places in India. In Contribution of Buddhism in Architecture of India, Ar. Sandeep Kumar Mishra

stated:

Buddhism is a religion that originated in India and has since spread to other parts of the
world. Following Lord Buddha's death, various architectural structures were erected to
mark the burial site for Buddha and to create a place of worship for Buddhists. These
structures were built with traditional materials such as mud, burnt bricks, and stone, which
bears a strong resemblance to Hinduism and Hindu Architecture in terms of material
choice.4
Buddhist architecture gained recognition with the development of more ornate places of
worship, such as large domes with cardinal entrance points. Stupas, Chaitya halls, and
Viharas are the three most important types of structures built and used by Buddhists. Stupa
were built to house Lord Gautama Buddha's relics (leftovers), Chaitya halls were large
congregational spaces used for group prayers and worship, and Viharas were monasteries
built of bricks or excavated out of rocks where monks stayed and studied in cells built for
them. This paper attempts to investigate how the birth and development of a new religion

3. Le Huu Phuoc, Buddhist Architecture (Place of publication not identified: Grafikol,

2010).
4. Ar. Sandeep Kumar Mishra, “Contribution of Buddhism in Architecture of India”,
Abstract (September 2018): 1, https://journalijcar.org/issues/contribution-buddhism-architecture-
india (accessed June 2, 2022).
2
 resulted in the evolution and development of new types of architecture in India. Such an
assessment will aid in determining the relationship between structural-form development
and religious growth, as well as the impact of religion on architectural development. This
paper is part of a larger project that aims to investigate and establish the relationship
between architectural development and religious growth, as well as the impact of religion
on architecture during that time period.5

Buddhists have a strong religious personality. These great temples, which have been around for

centuries and are proof of their unique architecture, were built with a strong religious character.

We can't deny that their architecture is fading in the modern era because modern structures don't

need to add patterns and instead focus on the more simplistic design of a building.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER

Buddhist temples are frequently the focal point of cultural activities. Temples can be

compared to museums from a modern perspective because they contain valuable and spectacular

art forms and, in fact, are beautiful art forms themselves. They, like art museums, combine

architecture, sculpture, painting, and calligraphy. Temples provide a peaceful and spiritual

environment in which to become serene and tranquil. They are valuable places for distressed

people to lay down their burdens, soothe their minds, and find peace.6 According to Banister

Fletcher in A History of Architecture on the Comparative Method, “There are five kinds of

monuments that are mostly present in Buddhist Architecture which are the Stambhas, also known

as Lats, were carved columns. Inscriptions, with the top crowned with emblems such as the

5. Ar. Sandeep Kumar Mishra, “Contribution of Buddhism in Architecture of India”,

Abstract (September 2018): 1, https://journalijcar.org/issues/contribution-buddhism-architecture-
india (accessed June 2, 2022).
6. Types & Styles of Buddhist Architecture, “Buddhism & Architecture”, Nan Tien
Temple, n.d, https://www.nantien.org.au/en/buddhism/knowledge-buddhism/buddhism-
architecture (accessed June 2, 2022).
3
elephant and lion, which are often reminiscent of Persepolitan architecture (No. 13). The most

well-known is the Lat in Allahabad, BC. 250.”7

The second style of monument is the “Topes, also known as Stupas, were mounds built to

commemorate a sacred location or to house sacred relics and were known as dagobas or

receptacles in search of relics.”8 The third type of monument is the Rail. “Rails were frequently

used to enclose the Topes. They were elaborately ornamented with sculpture and clearly indicate

a wooden origin. The rail and gateways that surround the Sanchi Tope (of which there is a full-

size cast in the Indian Museum) are the most well-known and date from the first century of our

era.”9 The fourth type is Chaityas or Temples. “All Chaityas, or Temples, are excavated from solid

rock, presenting only one external face. They are reminiscent of Upper Egypt's rock-cut tombs.

The typical design is a three-aisled English cathedral with a circular apse containing the shrine at

the end farthest from the entrance. The roofs are semicircular in shape and have ribs that resemble

timber work. Many houses have a horseshoe-shaped frontal screen through which the only light

enters. The light was let in, and it was made of wood.”10 The fifth and the last style mentioned in

the book was the Viharas or Monasteries. “The rock-cut examples are nearby the Chaityas. The

standard type is a central square space with or without columns, surrounded by priest chambers

and occasionally containing a shrine sanctuary.”11

7. Banister Fletcher, A History of Architecture on the Comparative Method (Amsterdam:

Architectural Press/Elsevier, 2011), 612.
8. Ibid.
9. Banister Fletcher, A History of Architecture on the Comparative Method (Amsterdam:
Architectural Press/Elsevier, 2011), 612.
10. Ibid.
11. Ibid.
4
PROMINENT EXAMPLES

Sarnath

Location: Uttar Pradesh, India

Date Built: 249 B.C.E

Building Use: Sarnath has been developed as a place of pilgrimage, both for Buddhists from India

and abroad.

Architect: Kumaradevi, wife of Govindachanda of the Gahadavala dynasty.

5
 Barabar Caves

Location: Bihar, India

Date Built: 3rd Century B.C.

Building Use: The caves were used by Buddhist monks as retreats.

Architect: Emperor Ashoka

6
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Ar. Mishra, Sandeep Kumar, “Contribution of Buddhism in Architecture of India”, Abstract

(September 2018): 1, https://journalijcar.org/issues/contribution-buddhism-architecture-

india (accessed June 2, 2022).

Fletcher, Banister, A History of Architecture on the Comparative Method, Amsterdam:

Architectural Press/Elsevier, 2011.

Phuoc, Le Huu, Buddhist Architecture, Place of publication not identified, 2010.

Types & Styles of Buddhist Architecture, “Buddhism & Architecture”, Nan Tien Temple, n.d,

https://www.nantien.org.au/en/buddhism/knowledge-buddhism/buddhism-architecture

(accessed June 2, 2022).