temple

A temple is a building or space dedicated to religious worship, rituals, and offerings. Temples serve as sacred places where communities gather for prayer, rites of passage, festivals, and contemplation. The precise role and function of a temple vary by religion and culture; some temples house statues or icons representing deities, while others emphasize symbolic architecture or sacred spaces without images.

Etymology and scope: The word temple comes from the Latin templum, meaning a sacred space or area set apart for religious observation; in Greek tradition, terms such as hieron and naos describe parts of a temple. The concept appears across many religious traditions, though not all worship spaces are called temples—the terms church, mosque, pagoda, or synagogue are used in different faiths.

Cultural variations: Hindu temples typically enshrine a deity in a sanctum called garbhagriha and include ritual spaces and processional ways. Buddhist temples may house meditation halls and relics or statues. Shinto shrines in Japan feature sacred enclosures and torii gates. In ancient Greece and Rome, temples were dedicated to gods and served as public ceremonial centers; the historical Temple in Jerusalem functioned as the focal point of Jewish worship before its destruction.

Modern usage: Today, temples continue to function as places of worship, pilgrimage, and learning across many traditions. Some buildings carry the name temple yet serve as community or cultural centers, meditation spaces, or museums. The term also appears in place names and surnames, reflecting a historical association with sacred space.