Buddhist architecture primarily consists of three main types of structures: stupas (relic shrines, pagodas, tera), monasteries (vihara, shedra, gompa), and temples (chaityas, prayer halls), each serving a distinct purpose within the practice of Buddhism. Most have an origin rooted in the Indian subcontinent. Stupas house relics, while monasteries provide living quarters for monks and nuns and a place to study, and temples function as communal prayer spaces.

The cremated relics of the Buddha were divided into eight portions and placed in relic caskets that were interred within large hemispherical stupas in India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, China, Japan, and Tibet. These and other stupas are the central monuments of Buddhist monastic complexes. They attract pilgrims from far and wide who come to experience the unseen presence of the Buddha. Stupas are often enclosed by a boundary that provides a path for ritual circumambulation. The sacred area is entered through gateways at the four cardinal points.

Sometimes, messages and clues are embedded in Buddhist architecture that can be unlocked by learning to recognize and identify the symbolism and other features.

The spaces we create impact how we think, feel, and function as a community. Buddhist architecture manifests in radically different ways depending on the culture it is based on. Sacred architecture is designed to support and inspire practicing the dharma.

Explore their personal surroundings or visit a new space and reflect on how the architecture makes them feel in their bodies. Compare which spaces make them feel exalted, and which make them feel uninspired. How does it affect our senses? What materials, colors, shapes, and forms are used to build the structure and surroundings?

• What are some common symbolic elements or features found in Buddhist architecture, particularly within stupas and temples?
• In what ways do these architectural structures support or enhance the practice of Buddhism?
• What emotions, physical sensations, or thoughts do different spaces evoke in you?
• How can we create spaces that inspire or support communal practice?
• How do these spaces depict or reflect Buddha's teachings, such as the eight-fold path and the six paramitas?

Categorize the three main types of Buddhist architecture (stupas, monasteries, temples) according to their functions; analyze how architectural elements support dharma practice and community building; and evaluate the symbolic meaning embedded in specific design features across different Buddhist cultural traditions.