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A focal place for Buddhist devotion and meditation, usually containing an image of the Buddha and offerings.

A special space honouring the Buddha, usually containing a Buddha image and offerings; it may be in a home, temple or monastery.

The names temple, shrine, vihara and gompa describe different spaces or functions, but they are not completely separate categories. A monastery may contain a temple, a shrine room and a meditation hall. Their appearance and organisation vary between Buddhist traditions and countries, including among Buddhist communities in Britain.

A place regarded as sacred because of its religious associations, often visited for prayer and devotion.

When explaining importance, connect a feature to its purpose: a library supports study of the Dhamma; a shrine helps Buddhists focus on the Buddha and his teachings.

Distinguish a shrine, which can occupy part of a room, from a temple or monastery. These places and features can overlap.

When explaining why Hindus use different places of worship, link each place to a reason: for example, a home shrine makes daily family worship possible.

A place set aside for worship, often containing a murti or picture of a deity. A shrine may be in a home, temple or outdoor setting.

A shrine brings an image and offerings together as a focus for devotion and meditation. Shrines can be found in temples, monasteries and homes, so this aspect of practice does not depend on attending a large religious building.

Shrine

Definition

How each exam board covers it

AQA GCSE Religious Studies A · 8062

Exam tips

Revise Religious Studies with GradeGen

Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies · C120