Sacred Architecture in the Religion of Israel and Buddhism

In this intermediate seminar, we want to look at the nature of sacred architecture based on two religious traditions - the religion of Israel and Buddhism. After a general and methodological introduction, we will therefore deal with the respective religions in two blocks in order to be able to reflect on which interreligious similarities and differences can be identified at the end of the semester. We will approach the topic of sacred architecture from both a philological and a material perspective. Guiding questions will be:

Is there a prototype of sacred architecture?
Which archaeological findings help us to reconstruct sacred architecture?
How are the rooms structured?
What/who is worshipped in the buildings?
What is practised in the places?
What role does the description of sacred architecture play in sacred texts?
Is there an idea of ‘sacred’ areas?

At the end of the seminar, you will be familiar with the core elements of sacred architecture from both traditions and acquire intercultural skills for dealing with non-Christian religions. You will also have the opportunity to practise interreligious and interdisciplinary dialogue throughout the seminar under the guidance of the two responsible teachers.

–This seminar will be held in German–

(Machine translation.)