New Perspectives on East Asian Buddhist Architecture

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past century, academic scholarship on Buddhist architecture has flourished in East Asia, Europe, and North America, evolving through several distinct stages of research. To this day, groundbreaking studies continue to examine the architectonic aspects of extant Buddhist buildings—analyzing spatial layouts, the functional purposes of different structures within monastic compounds, and the intricate wooden structural systems, particularly those from the medieval period. More recent scholarship has expanded into robust investigations of the transmission of architectural forms across East Asia, as well as the historical, social, and religious contexts of significant Buddhist monasteries. Building upon these foundational studies, this Special Issue seeks to explore new and innovative perspectives in the study of East Asian Buddhist architecture.

Throughout East Asia, Buddhist temples, monasteries, and shrines have been much more than places of worship—they are physical manifestations of Buddhist cosmology, embodying principles of harmony, impermanence, and enlightenment. Architectural forms, from the elegant curves of temple roofs to the meticulous layout of garden spaces, reflect the deep philosophical and aesthetic considerations that are fundamental to Buddhist teachings. In this Special Issue, we examine how the architecture of these sacred spaces has evolved in response to local contexts, cultural exchanges, and the spread of Buddhist teachings from India through Central Asia to China, Korea, and Japan.

This Special Issue will address various aspects of Buddhist architecture, including the significance of sacred spaces, the role of specific architectural elements such as pagodas and stupas, the influence of regional artistic traditions, and the impact of Buddhism on broader architectural styles in East Asia. One potential theme is the perception of architecture among both the saṃgha and devotees. How were these buildings conceptualized in doctrine and practice? What relationships exist between form, space, function, and perception? Another approach could delve deeper into the transmission and transformation of religious, artistic, architectural, and spatial ideas across East Asia. How were Buddhist compounds and religious identities shaped through architectural innovation in different historical periods?

By situating Buddhist artifacts within broader religious and social milieus, this Special Issue aims to foster richer interpretations and a more nuanced understanding of East Asia’s sacred built environment. The papers collected here will also consider the preservation and restoration of Buddhist monuments in a modern context, exploring how these sacred sites continue to serve both religious and cultural functions in an increasingly globalized world.

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200-300 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send it to the Guest Editor, or to the Assistant Editor Sandee Pan (sandee.pan@mdpi.com) of Religions. Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors in order to ensure that the articles are within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo a double-blind peer-review process.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Puay Peng Ho
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• Buddhist architecture
• East Asia
• places of worship
• Buddhist monuments
• religious and cultural functions