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Religious Studies & Theology vocabulary · Religious Institutions and Roles

Temple

Meaning in religious studies & theology, with examples

/ˈtempəl/nounCore term

In religious studies & theology, temple means: A building dedicated to the worship of a god or gods, especially in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and ancient religions; in Jewish history, the Temple in Jerusalem.

In Turkish: tapınak, mabet

How it is used

Used for Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Shinto and ancient Greek or Egyptian sacred buildings (temple complex, temple priest, temple festival). With a capital T, the Temple means the First or Second Temple in Jerusalem. Sikh houses of worship are usually called gurdwaras.

Example sentences

  1. Thousands of pilgrims visit the temple during its annual festival.

  2. The Romans destroyed the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE.

Common collocations

  • Hindu temple
  • Buddhist temple
  • temple complex
  • the Second Temple
  • temple ritual
  • HinduismA family of religious traditions that developed in South Asia, with no single founder, sharing scriptures such as the Vedas and ideas such as dharma, karma and rebirth.
  • worshipThe acts of honour, prayer and devotion that believers direct towards God or the divine, either privately or together with others.
  • priestA person authorized to perform sacred rituals, such as offering sacrifices or administering sacraments, in traditions such as Catholicism, Orthodox Christianity and Hinduism.
  • synagogueA Jewish house of prayer, study and community gathering, where the Torah scrolls are kept in an ark and read during services.

More terms: Religious Institutions and Roles

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