2. Buddhist architecture can take many different forms.
Most of the designs on different works incorporate
many ideas of the religion. There are three types of
structures associated with religious architecture of
early Buddhism: viharas (monastaires), stupas, and
temples.
3. Viharas are monastaries that were originally for being
secluded and taking shelter.
It is a center of gathering for monks.
Early viharas were simple shelters for monks to sleep
and eat in. These were made of wood or stone.
Later more permanent facilities were made and
became important gathering places
3rd century bc early rock caves
5th c. to 12th c. buddhist viharas
4. Stupas were originally burial mounds for famous
monks. These grounds were considered holy. Earlier
Stupas consisted of a mound made of rock shaped like
a semi sphere.
Later Stupas looked more like towers. The shape that
it takes represents different philosophies.
3rd c. bc emperor Ashoka original stupa
1st c. bc Stupas in hall of chaitya griha
5. Temples contain several buildings. The main building
in the center is usually the pagoda. The pagoda has
several layers. The number of layers is always an odd
amount. This represents yang while even numbers
represent yin.
3rd c. bc earliest
To today
