Curated OER
Indian Art
Indian art and architecture is covered from the baths of Mohenjo-daro to the Great Stupa in Sanchi. This presentation shows Indian art as it progressed throughout time but focuses heavily on Buddhist art and architecture that originated...
Other
Thair World View: Thai Temple or "Wat"
A description of Thai Buddhist Temples. Linked to descriptions of the individual buildings on the temple grounds.
Smart History
Smarthistory: The Stupa
Smarthistory resource with photographs and videos of ancient burial mounds in which historian, Dr. Shelby, provides an in-depth discussion. Links to additional resources.
Buddha Dharma Education Association
Buddha Net: The Hill of Sanchi
A description of the stupa outside of Sanchi, a site of early Buddhist practice. Explains the importance of the site's carvings and other buildings.
Buddha Dharma Education Association
Buddha Net: Buddhist Art and Architecture
Illustrated overviews of well-known Buddhist art and architecture.
Other
Information About Stupas
A site concerning stupas, some ancient, some recently constructed. Describes the importance of the stupa in Buddhist worship.
Other
Templenet: Sarnath
This entry has information on the significance of Sarnath as a Buddhist pilgrimage site, and the temples that have been built there throughout Buddhist history.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Buddhist Monasteries
The monastery typically becomes the spiritual focus of the nearest town or village. In early Buddhism, monastic complexes were created for the monks close enough to a town in order to receive alms or charity from the villagers, but far...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: The Stupa
Can a mound of dirt represent the Buddha, the path to Enlightenment, a mountain and the universe all at the same time? It can if it is a stupa. The stupa ("stupa" is Sanskrit for heap) is an important form of Buddhist architecture. View...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Borobudur
The idea of path is an important concept in Buddhism, and is essential in understanding the meaning and purpose of one of the most remarkable and impressive monuments in the world: Borobudur. View pictures and read the history behind...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Todai Ji
When completed in the 740s, Todai-ji (or "Great Eastern Temple") was the largest building project ever on Japanese soil. Its creation reflects the complex intermingling of Buddhism and politics in early Japan. View pictures and read...
Buddha Dharma Education Association
Buddha Net: Stupas
A description of Buddhist stupas, their different types, and their history and origins.
Buddha Dharma Education Association
Buddah Net: Borobodur Temple
An article on the Borobodur Temple in Indonesia. Describes the construction of the temple and the sybolism of the layout.
Other
Architechtonic Research: The Head Temples of Zen Buddhism
A page describing the importance and history of a number of Zen temples in Japan. Includes pictures of the temples as well as details of the temple construction and history.
Other
On the Matrix: Nepal
This is a page with photographs of Stupas in Nepal. Provides some history on these holy sites.
University of California
Ucla: Manas: Buddhist Architecture
A short history of Buddhist architecture in India. Describes how official patronage helped Buddhist architecture spread beyond India.