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https://doi.org/10.62836/jissh.v2i2.492
Lian, V. zhizhen. (2025). The Development of Chinese Buddhist Architecture: A Historical Study. Journal of Integrated Social Sciences and Humanities, 2(2), 1–27. https://doi.org/10.62836/jissh.v2i2.492
Volume 2, Issue 2, 2025

The Development of Chinese Buddhist Architecture: A Historical Study

The historical investigation of the development of Chinese Buddhist architecture is a paper that deeply discusses the development history of Chinese Buddhist architecture. This paper starts with the introduction and summarizes the purpose and significance of the research. Then, the article elaborated on the historical evolution of Chinese Buddhist architecture, which is divided into five stages: the embryonic period from the Eastern Han Dynasty to the Three Kingdoms, the integration period of the Wei, Jin and Southern and Northern Dynasties, the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the continuous development of the Song Dynasty, and the solidification stage of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. These five stages have their own characteristics, which jointly promote the development and maturity of Buddhist architecture in China. When discussing the main forms of Buddhist architecture, the article lists five main forms, such as the gate, the Hall of the King, the temple and the pagoda, and briefly introduces their functions and characteristics. Then, from the perspective of architectural characteristics, the article deeply analyzes the connotation of Chinese Buddhist architecture. The early characteristics of Buddhist architecture are reflected in traditional Buddhist thoughts and architectural style, while modern Buddhist architecture integrates the characteristics of modern Buddhist thought and new demands for architecture on the basis of tradition, showing distinct characteristics of The Times. This paper also discusses the value of Chinese Buddhist architecture from the perspective of cultural significance. Buddhist architecture integrates poetry, painting and architectural meaning, providing people with spiritual sustenance and aesthetic enjoyment. Finally, the paper summarizes the main points of the full text, pointing out that Chinese Buddhist architecture is the crystallization of the integration of Chinese and Western culture, the integration of traditional culture and modern culture, and has a very high historical, cultural and artistic value. In short, through an in-depth investigation of the development history of Chinese Buddhist architecture, this paper reveals the evolution characteristics, architectural characteristics and cultural significance of Chinese Buddhist architecture in different periods, and provides valuable theoretical resources for us to better understand Chinese Buddhist architecture.

Chinese Buddhist architecture development history architectural features architectural significance

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Supporting Agencies

  1. Funding: This research received no external funding.