definition
strict definition
confucian temple
A temple dedicated to Confucian reverence and ritual, rather than a prescribed building form.
A Confucian temple is a place dedicated to reverence and ritual in the Confucian faith.
The dedication and rites distinguish it from a Buddhist temple or a Taoist temple. Reverence for Confucius can be expressed through ritual objects, including spirit tablets; a particular object or architectural feature is not a universal condition.
A space for Confucian ritual is different from a school or a monument whose only function is teaching or commemoration. Those functions can share a site with a temple, but the religious or ceremonial dedication is what makes the space a Confucian temple.
Related definitions
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baha'i temple
A house of prayer and worship in the Baha'i faith, open to people of different religious backgrounds. -
buddhist temple
A temple used for Buddhist prayer and worship, without a required architectural form. -
gurdwara
A Sikh place of worship and religious ceremonies, serving a congregation in Sikhism. -
jain temple
A sacred place dedicated to worship and religious ritual in the Jain tradition. -
mandir
A Hindu temple dedicated to worship or reverence of one or more deities in the Hindu faith. -
mormon temple
A temple in the Mormon religious tradition, dedicated to prayer, worship, and temple ceremonies. -
shinto temple
A Shinto place of prayer, worship, and ceremonial rites, including Shinto shrines. -
shrine
A separate sacred structure dedicated to reverence for a religious being or object. -
taoist temple
A temple dedicated to Taoist worship, prayer, and ritual, irrespective of its architectural style.