definition
strict definition
taoist temple
A temple dedicated to Taoist worship, prayer, and ritual, irrespective of its architectural style.
A Taoist temple is a place dedicated to worship and prayer in the Taoist religion.
Its Taoist religious dedication distinguishes it from a Buddhist temple or a Confucian temple. A temple can accommodate practices or sacred figures shared with other Chinese religious traditions, so one image does not establish an exclusive religious identity.
The religious use does not require a particular roof shape, courtyard plan, or resident priesthood. Building names and architectural details can provide context, but shared words or forms do not replace the temple's religious dedication.
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. -
confucian temple
A temple dedicated to Confucian reverence and ritual, rather than a prescribed building 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.