Period V6 - Mapping Buddhism through Architecture by Joseph Yohannan

Mahabodhi Temple (7th c.)

yohannj — 2025-09-19 14:22:04 UTC

- Holiest site in Buddhism
- Marks the site where Siddhartha Gautama achieved Enlightenment
- Some elements date back to the age of Ashoka (2nd-3rd century CE)

Angkor Wat, Cate and Lily

lilyannefrieson — 2025-09-19 16:44:58 UTC

Construction took place in around 1116 C.E.

Angkor Wat had similar architecture to other significant Cambodian structures. It was constructed with laterite and sandstone, which were very common amongst other locations at the time.

It was generously sponsored by the Khmer King Suryavarman.

Angkor Wat is the largest religious building in the world, spanning the same length of 200 football fields. It was originally a Hindu temple for Vishnu before becoming Buddhist.

Wat Xieng Thong, Khem Khong, Luang Prabang, Laos (1559)

2025-09-19 16:47:18 UTC

The name of our temple is Wat Xieng Thong. The temple featured Laotian artistic design elements, including multi-tiered roofs and gold stenciling of Lao motifs, plants, and mythical creatures. It is one of the only temples to have been completely spared destruction during the 19th-century sacking of Luang Prabang

It houses a rare, centuries-old Reclining Buddha statue, displayed in the "Red Chapel," that was once exhibited in France.

Trấn Quốc Pagoda (6th c.)

2025-09-19 16:48:06 UTC

-Original name was Khai Quoc (National Founder)

-Shows Vietnam as a new nation

-Oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi

-Monks used to live there

-Used for important Buddhist Ceremonies

-Symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism

-Buddhism reached Vietnam through the Silk Road

Kye Gompa(11th c.)

eliacunnane — 2025-09-19 16:48:50 UTC

It adapted to the Himalayan culture by its fortress-like structure and the local artistic traditions being present in the architecture.
It is the largest Monastery in Spiti.
The monastery is located 13668 feet above sea level in the Himalaya Mountains.
Addi and Elia

Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)

2025-09-19 16:49:14 UTC

- It holds a bone and tooth from Gautama Buddha

- There is a 900 year old shrine that honors 37 Burmese Nats and a Thagyamin

- The main pogoda has been damaged by earthquakes but has been rebuilt multiple times.

Seiganto-ji Temple

anyaaghera — 2025-09-19 16:50:30 UTC

- Our temple is named Seiganto-Ji, which translates to “Temple of Crossing the Blue Shores”.

- It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, and the temple is believed to have been built in the 4th or 5th century.

- The temple is one of the few that is located next to a shinto shrine after the forcible separations in the Meiji period.

- Many of the buildings were burned down by Oda Nobunaga in the 16th Century.

- The main hall was rebuilt in 1590.

- The temple was founded by Ragyo Shonin, an Indian monk.

- Though the temple is Buddhist, it incorporates Japanese architecture and design, including Japanese features, such as the bright red color used for the three towers and the shingled iriomya roof, a Japanese design.

- Built by Nachi Falls, a waterfall, for nature worship.

- Part of the Kumano Sanzan shrine complex, is one of the few remaining jingū-ji or shrine temples.

Nalanda Mahavihara

2025-09-19 16:51:22 UTC

-Established in the 5th century AD.

-Nalanda was built by Kumaragupta I and supported by Buddhists and non-Buddhists from India and Java.

-Building materials included bricks made of local clay and stone.

-It was the first international residential university in the world.

-It was destroyed by the Delhi Sultanate in the 1190s.

Jokhang Temple, Lhasa, Tibet, China (7th Century)

jerryhuang — 2025-09-19 16:52:43 UTC

Most sacred temple in Tibet
Is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an extension of the nearby Potala Palace
Contains a 1.5 meter tall gilded bronze statue of the Buddha.
There are Indian, Nepalese, and Chinese influences on the architecture.
It takes inspiration from the Indian Vihara design of Buddhist temples.
The walls are painted with Buddhist art by Nepalese and Indian painters.
Gilded bronze tiles were used for the roofing. Gilding bronze was a practice developed by the Chinese.
There are statues of golden deer around a Dharma wheel, a symbol in Buddhism on the rooftop.

White Horse Temple - 12th Century

2025-09-19 16:55:06 UTC

This temple demonstrates Buddhism's adaptation to Chinese culture because the temple complex shows how the religion blended with Chinese traditions through art and legends. It had a traditional Chinese layout for the courtyard. One statue had evolved to be known as the "Laughing Buddha," which was known for abundance and contentment.

Two Indian monks were there that arrived with statues and scriptures.

The temple was named after the white horse that carried the Buddhist Scriptures.