Temple 48134 221294108 2008-06-23T22:06:41Z Eric Kvaalen 122969 Temple at [[Göbekli Tepe]] seems to be oldest in world. [[Image:Hephaistos.temple.AC.02.jpg|thumb|[[Temple of Hephaestus]], a [[Doric order|Doric]] [[Greek temple]] in [[Athens]] with the original entrance facing east, 449 BC (western face depicted).]] [[Image:Angkor wat temple.jpg|thumb|The [[Angkor Wat]] [[Hindu]] temple in [[Cambodia]], with the entrance facing west, is '''the largest temple in the world''' (early 12th century).]] [[Image:Dome of the rock distance.jpg|thumb|[[Dome of the Rock]], an [[Islamic]] shrine at the [[Temple Mount]] with 4 entrances in the cardinal directions, stands on the site of the [[Temple of Solomon|First]] and [[Second Temple|Second]] [[Temple in Jerusalem|Jewish Temples]] in [[Jerusalem, Israel]].]] [[Image:Lung-shan temple-Taipei-Taiwan-P1010110.JPG|thumb|[[Longshan Temple]] in [[Taipei City]] with the entrance facing west; an example of architecture with southern Chinese influences commonly seen in older buildings in Taiwan (1738).]] [[Image:Temple99.JPG|thumb|[[Mount Ecclesia|The Ecclesia]], the [[Rosicrucian]] Healing Temple with the entrance facing east, [[Oceanside, California]], [[United States]], 1920; it's a solar temple dedicated to the coming [[Age of Aquarius]].]] {{otheruses}} A '''temple''' (from the [[Latin]] word ''[[templum]]'') is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A ‘’templum’’ constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or [[augur]]. It has the same root as the word “ template,’’ a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out on the ground by the augur. Though a templum, technically speaking, is not a “house of the gods” but a diagram that for the Romans linked the geometries of heaven and earth, it was also indicative of a dwelling place of a god or gods. This tradition, of course, dates back to [[prehistoric times]]. For the [[ancient Egyptians]], the word ''pr'' could refer not only to a house, but also to a sacred structure since it was believed that the gods resided in houses.<ref>Monroe, Edgar, Temples of Egypt, http://touregypt.net/featurestories/temples.htm , website accessed August 30, 2006.</ref> The word ‘temple’ (which dates to about the 6th century BCE), despite the specific set of meanings associated with the religion of the [[ancient Rome]], has now become quite widely used to describe a house of [[worship]] for any number of religions and is even used for time periods prior to the Romans. Stated differently, temple was once a [[species]] of sacred structures; today it is, in the English language, often used as a [[genus]]. ==Ancient Near East== {{main|É (temple)|Ziggurat}} The oldest known temple seems to be that found at [[Göbekli Tepe]] in southeastern [[Turkey]], dating from the [[10th millennium BC]]. ==Jewish synagogues and temples == In [[Judaism]], the ancient Hebrew texts refer not to temples, the word having not existed yet, but to a "sanctuary", "palace" or "hall". (The Jerusalem temples were called ''[[Beit Hamikdash]]'', the Holy House. The Greek word ''[[synagogue]]'' became current during [[Hellenistic]] times and it (along with the Yiddish term ''[[shul]]'') remained the convention until the middle of the nineteenth century when the word ‘temple’ began to be used, almost exclusively by the followers of [[Reform Judaism]], as in Temple Emanu-El, or the [[Temple Beth-El]]. The word referred not to Roman temples, but to the [[Temple of Solomon]]. Orthodox Judaism considers this inappropriate as it does not consider synagogues a replacement for the Temple in Jerusalem. The [[Temple Mount]] in [[Jerusalem]] is the site where the [[First Temple]] of Solomon and the [[Second Temple]] were built. At the center of the structure was the [[Holy of Holies]] where only the high priest could enter. The Temple Mount is now the site of the [[Islamic]] [[mosque]], the [[Dome of the Rock]] (c. 690). ==Greco-Roman temples== {{main|Greek Temple|Roman Temple}} Though today we call most Greek religious buildings "temples," the ancient pagans would have referred to a [[temenos]], or sacred precinct. Its sacredness, often connected with a holy grove, was more important than the building itself, as it contained the open air [[altar]] on which the [[sacrifices]] were made. The building which housed the cult statue in its [[naos]] was originally a rather simple structure, but by the middle of the 6th century BCE had become increasingly elaborate. Greek temple architecture had a profound influence on ancient architectural traditions. The rituals that located and sited the temple were performed by an [[augur]] through the observation of the flight of birds or other natural phenomenon. Roman temples usually faced east or toward the rising sun, but the specifics of the orientation are often not known today; there are also notable exceptions, such as the [[Pantheon, Rome|Pantheon]] which faces north. In [[ancient Rome]], only the native deities of [[Roman mythology]] had a ''templullm''; any equivalent structure for a foreign deity was called a ''fanum''. ==Indian religions== {{see|Indian religions}} [[Image:Shree Swaminarayan Sampraday, Ahmedabad.jpg|thumb|150px|left|The [[Swaminarayan]] [[Hindu]] Temple in [[Ahmedabad]]]] ===Hindu temples=== {{main|Hindu temple}} These may also be called by other names, including ''mandir'' or ''mandira'', ''koil'' or ''kovil'', ''devasthana'' and ''devalaya'', depending on the region in the Indian subcontinent and its local language. Hindu temples are large and magnificent with a rich history. Some date as far back as the [[Bronze Age]] and later the [[Indus Valley Civilization]]. In the present day magnificent Hindu temples have been built in various countries of the world including [[India]], [[Great Britain]], the [[United States]], [[Australia]] and [[South Africa]]. ===Buddhist temples=== [[Image:Interior of Tibetan Temple.jpg|thumb|Interior of Tibetan temple.]] {{main|Buddhist temple}} They include the structures called [[stupa]], [[wat]] and [[pagoda]] in different regions and languages. Temples in [[Buddhism]] represent the pure land or pure environment of a [[Buddha (general)|Buddha]]. Traditional Buddhist Temples are designed to inspire inner and outer peace.<ref>[http://www.kadampanewyork.org/temple/ New York Buddhist Temple for World Peace]</ref> ===Sikh temples=== {{main|gurdwara}} ===Jain temples=== [[Image:Kerala_jain_temple.jpg‎|thumb|left|A [[Jain]] temple in [[Kochi]], [[Kerala]], [[India]].]] [[Jain]] idols of [[Tirthankaras]] are worshipped in Jain temples. Usually they are built from Marble stone. Some famous Jain temples are located in [[Palitana]], [[Shankeshwar]], [[Shikharji]], [[Vataman]], [[Mumbai]], and [[Ahmedabad]].Usually Jain temples have many marble pillars which are carved beautifully with Demi god posture. The main vestibule usually contains the statues of 3 of the thirthankars: [[Parshwanath]], [[Rishabdev]] and [[Mahavir]]. The Jain [[Dilwara temples]] at Mount Abu are considered the most beautiful Jain pilgrimage sites in the world. ===Ayyavazhi temples=== {{main|Pathi}} ==Zoroastrian temples== {{main|fire temple}} Zoroastrian temples may also be called the ''[darb-e meh'' and ''atashkada''. <br clear="all"/> ==Christian temples== [[Image:Temple Saint Sava.jpg|thumb|The [[Temple of Saint Sava]], in [[Belgrade]], [[Serbia]].]] [[Image:Salt Lake Temple-smaller.png|thumb|LDS temple in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Dedicated 1893.]] [[Image:IndependenceTemple2.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Community of Christ]] temple in [[Independence, Missouri]], USA. Dedicated 1994.]] The word is rarely used in the Western [[Christian]] tradition, and very frequently used in [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]. The principal words for Western Christian architecture are: [[basilica]], [[cathedral]] and [[church]], while in [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], principal words are: ''temple'' and ''church''. In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] the use of the word temple comes from the need to distinguish building of the church vs. church as Body of Christ. For example [[Temple of Saint Sava]] in [[Belgrade]], [[Serbia]]. See also: [[Orthodox church (building)]] and [[catholicon]]. Beginning in the late eighteenth century, following the [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]], some Protestant denominations in France and elsewhere began to use the word "temple" to distinguish these spaces from a Catholic church. [[Evangelical]] and other Protestant churches will make use of a wide variety of terms to designate their worship spaces, such as [[Tabernacle]], Temple, etc. === Temples in the Latter Day Saint movement=== According to [[Latter Day Saint]] tradition, in 1832, [[Joseph Smith, Jr.]] received a [[Revelation#Latter Day Saint concept of revelation|revelation]] to [[Restoration (Latter Day Saints)|restore]] the practice of [[Temple (Latter Day Saints)|temple worship]], in a "house of the Lord". The [[Kirtland Temple]] was the first temple of the [[Latter Day Saint movement]] and the only one completed in Smith's lifetime, although the [[Nauvoo Temple]] was partially complete at the time of [[death of Joseph Smith, Jr.|his death]]. The [[schism (religion)|schisms]] stemming from a [[Succession crisis (Latter Day Saints)|succession crisis]] have led to differing views about the role and use of temples between various groups with competing succession claims. ====Temples of LDS church==== {{seealso|List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}} [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] is a prolific builder of "[[Latter-day Saint]]" or "[[Mormon]]" temples. {{LDS Temple status}} [[Temple (Latter Day Saints)#Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|Latter-day Saint temples]] are reserved only for the most holy and sacred of the covenant for performing [[Ordinance (Mormonism)|special ordinances]], and are distinct from [[meeting house]]s and [[chapel]]s where [[Worship services of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints#Weekly services|weekly worship services]] are held. The Temples are built and kept under strict sacredness and not to be defiled, thus, strict rules for entrance. ====Other LDS Denominations==== Various other [[Latter Day Saint movement|Latter Day Saint denominations]] also have temples. An example is the [[Independence Temple]] at [[Independence, Missouri]] that was built by the [[Community of Christ]] by then church [[Community of Christ First Presidency|prophet-president]] [[Wallace B. Smith]]. The Community of Christ also currently owns the original Kirtland Temple, which it operates as a historic site. ==Masonic temples== [[Freemasonry]] is a [[fraternal organization]] with its origins in the eighteenth century whose membership is held together by a shared set of moral and [[metaphysical]] ideals. Freemasons meet as a Lodge. Lodges meet in a [[Masonic Temple]], Masonic Center or a Masonic Hall, such as [[Freemasons' Hall, London]]. Some confusion exists as Masons usually refer to a Lodge meeting as being ''in Lodge''. ==Other religions== Though the word "temple" is used broadly, one should use it with discretion in the context of some religions. A [[mosque]] for example, should never be called a temple. Convention allows the use of temple in the following cases: *[[Bahá'í Faith|Bahá'í]] temple ([[Bahá'í House of Worship|Mashriqu'l-Adhkárs]] or ‘Houses of Worship’). *[[Mankhim]], the temple of the ethnic group the [[Rai (ethnic group)|Rai ]], located at [[Aritar]], [[Sikkim]]. *[[Confucian temple]] or [[Temple of Confucius]]. *[[Shintoist]] '''[[Jinja (Shinto)|jinja]]''' are normally called '''[[shrine]]s''' in English in order to distinguish them from Buddhist temples (-tera, -dera). ==Temple as Metaphor== {{Original research|section|date=August 2007}} The word 'temple' can be interpreted as metaphorical in English translations of the [[Bible]], synonymous with [[Godhead]]{{Fact|date=September 2007}}. Two examples in the [[New Testament]] are: 1) [[Jesus and the money changers]] and 2) description of the rending of the [[veil]] covering the temple (in advance of his [[resurrection]] as the [[Christ]]) at the death of Jesus in Matthew 27:51. ==See also== *[[List of Buddhist temples]] *[[List of Hindu temples]] *[[Temple (Latter Day Saints)]] *[[List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] *[[List of Masonic temples]] *[[Temples of Tamilnadu]] == Partial list of temples == In [[Republic of China]]: * [[Longshan Temple|Long-shan Temple]] (龍山寺, Long Shan Si) * [[Chung-Tai Buddhist Temple]] (中台禪寺, height: 136 m<ref>[http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=2945 SkyscraperPage - Chung-Tai Buddhist Temple]</ref>) * [[Fo Guang Shan]] (佛光山) * [[Chung Tai Shan]] * [[Bao-an]] Temple (大龍峒保安宮) * [[Edakkunni Temple]], one of the 108 [[durga]] temples built by [[Parasurama]] In [[Cambodia]]: * [[Angkor Wat]] In [[China]]: * [[The Temple of Heaven]], a Taoist temple in [[Beijing]] In [[Egypt]]: * [[Abu Simbel]] * [[Karnak]] * [[Ramesseum]] * [[Temple of Kom Ombo]] In [[Greece]]: * [[Parthenon]] * [[Olympeion]] In [[Guatemala]]: * [[Tikal]] In [[Iran]]: * [[The Anahita Temple]] In [[Italy]]: * [[Pantheon, Rome|Pantheon]] In [[Korea]]: * [[Bulguksa]] * [[Jogyesa]] * [[Haeinsa]] * [[Tongdosa]] * [[Beomeosa]] In [[Japan]]: * [[Hōryū-ji]] * [[Kihryuzan Senjo-ji]] temple * [[Sensō-ji]] * [[Ryōan-ji]] * [[Tokyo Japan Temple]] In [[Malta]]: * [[Ggantija]] In [[Turkey]]: * [[Temple of Artemis]] In the [[United States]]: * [[Independence Temple]] * [[Mount Ecclesia]] * [[Nauvoo Temple]] * [[Salt Lake Temple]] * [[Washington D.C. Temple]] In [[Mexico]]: * [[Guadalajara Jalisco La Luz del Mundo Sede International]] * [[Mexico City Mexico Temple|México City México Temple]] In [[India]]: * [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple]] in [[Tirumala]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] * [[Akshardham (Delhi)|Akshardam Temple]] in [[New Delhi]] * [[Siddhivinayak temple]] in [[Mumbai]] * [[Meenakshi Temple]], temple in [[Madurai]], [[Tamil Nadu]] * [[Dakshineswar Kali Temple]] in [[Kolkata]] * [[Parthasarathy Temple]] in [[Chennai]] * [https://www.bihariji.org/ Banke Bihari Temple] in [[Vrindavan]] *[[Nandnimata]]Temple in [[Banswara]](Barodiya),[[Rajasthan]] Around the [[World]]: * [[Swaminarayan temples]] ==Additional reading== Hani, Jean, ''Le symbolisme du temple chrétien'', G. Trédaniel (editor); [2. éd.] edition (1978), 207 p., ISBN 2-85707-030-6 ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== {{commons|Temple|Temple}} * [http://www.greattemples.com/ Greatest Temples in India, Andhra Pradesh '''Indian Hindu Temples'''] *[http://www.divyadesamonline.com/ Sri Vishnu Temples in India, '''Indian Hindu Temples'''] * [http://www.patalbhuvaneshwar.com/ The ancient Hindu cave temple in the Himalayas] * [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=temple&searchmode=none|Etymology online – distinct for the religious and anatomical terms] * [http://www.pariharam.com/ South Indian Temples History and Images] * [http://www.planetnepal.org/cgi-bin/view/Main/HinduTemples Nepali Hindu Temples] * [http://www.atmajyoti.org/vi_temple_elephants_medium.asp Temple Elephants in India] – A short video in Quicktime format. * [http://www.sriparashakthi.org Sri Guru Parashakthi Mutt, Marakada, Mangalore], The official site. * [http://www.blueletterbible.org/tmp_dir/words/1/1157070762-7960.html The term "temple" in Judaism] *[http://www.indians-abroad.com/pls/dir/dir.show?cat_id=1899 Hindu Temples outside of India] [[Category:Temples| ]] [[Category:Religious architecture]] [[Category:Religious buildings]] [[Category:Architectural history]] [[Category:Monument types]] [[ar:معبد]] [[bg:Храм]] [[cs:Chrám]] [[cy:Teml]] [[da:Tempel]] [[de:Tempel]] [[et:Tempel]] [[es:Templo]] [[eo:Templo]] [[fr:Temple]] [[fy:Timpel]] [[gl:Templo]] [[ko:사찰]] [[hi:मन्दिर]] [[id:Klenteng]] [[it:Tempio]] [[he:מקדש]] [[la:Templum]] [[lt:Šventykla]] [[lv:Templis]] [[hu:Templom]] [[ml:ക്ഷേത്രം (ആരാധനാലയം)]] [[nl:Tempel]] [[new:देगः]] [[ja:寺院]] [[nn:Tempel]] [[nrm:Templle]] [[pl:Świątynia]] [[pt:Templo]] [[ro:Templu]] [[ru:Храм]] [[sa:देवमन्दिरम्]] [[simple:Temple]] [[sk:Chrám]] [[sr:Храм]] [[fi:Temppeli]] [[sv:Tempel]] [[te:దేవాలయం]] [[th:เทวสถาน]] [[vi:Đền]] [[tr:Tapınak]] [[wuu:寺]] [[zh:寺庙]]