Relic Worship in Buddhism and Its influence on Design, Symbolism and Spatial Organization of Buddhist Architecture

Relic worship, central to Buddhism since the Buddha's death around 483 BCE, was not merely a practice but a driving force behind the development of Buddhist architecture. Emperor Ashoka's dissemination of relics in the 3rd century BCE marked a pivotal moment, propagating Buddhism and shaping its architectural forms. This study reveals that relic worship influenced the design, symbolism, and spatial organization of Buddhist monuments across four key sites: Sanchi, Amaravati, Ajanta, and Borobudur. These sites represent distinct stages in Buddhist architectural evolution, from ritual circumambulation at Sanchi to the integration of relics into monastic routines at Ajanta and the symbolic elevation seen in Borobudur's multi-level structure. The research demonstrates that relics remained the religious focus, evolving to reflect local cultural and artistic preferences while maintaining a unifying role in devotion, symbolism, and spatial organization.

Dhar, V. (2026). Relic Worship in Buddhism and Its influence on Design, Symbolism and Spatial Organization of Buddhist Architecture. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i01.69909