Buddhists worship in several types of places, both communal and private:
- Temples : These are buildings where many Buddhists gather to pray, meditate, study, and celebrate. Temples often contain a main hall with a statue of the Buddha (and Bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism), shrines, meditation halls, and sometimes pagodas or stupas which house relics
- Monasteries (Viharas) : These are residences for monks and nuns who dedicate themselves fully to Buddhist practice. Monasteries include living quarters, worship spaces, and often stupas. The wider community supports monasteries and benefits spiritually from them
- Shrines : Shrines can be found within temples, monasteries, or in private homes. They typically feature a Buddha statue (Buddharupa) and are focal points for meditation and making offerings such as candles, flowers, incense, and water, which symbolize aspects of Buddhist teachings
- Homes : Many Buddhists maintain shrines at home for private worship and meditation, offering flowers, lights, and incense as acts of respect and merit-making
Additionally, Buddhists may visit stupas , which are dome-shaped structures containing relics, and often use them as places for walking meditation and chanting
. Buddhists also undertake pilgrimages to sacred sites related to the Buddha’s life, such as his birthplace Lumbini and the place of enlightenment Bodh Gaya
. In summary, Buddhists worship in temples, monasteries, shrines, and at home, with each place serving different spiritual and communal functions
