Buddhism teachings focuses on cultivation of mind with ‘emptiness’ (to be detailed). This is the fundamental of Buddhism in fact. Somehow or rather from my point of view, Chinese Buddhist temples built traditionally out of mythology effects didn’t portrays such Buddhist philosophy. Rather the temple seeks to be in a mythological fashion that seems to be close to devas more than the Buddha. (to be detailed)  

The question is rather:
a. mythological represents meaning in these temples, yet can Chinese Buddhist temple’s essence still have meaning but with less traditional elements thru the architectural process? more to contemporary?
b. Can Buddhism teachings and philosophies  (to be precise ‘emptiness’) translated into architecture? E.g. ancient temples in India in ancient times where it’s architecture is meaningful to it’s teachings.

Case study includes Water temple by Tadao Ando. How did the Buddha preach during His reign.

The function of a temple is so narrow nowadays that many different kind of temples evolved and so too the organization of Buddhist disciples. At a brief view there are still temples that follow the traditional Chinese halls system which it’s architecture is still very traditional. These are mostly temples of reputations built before the 50’s.
Secondly , new temples are also built but focused less on traditional styles of temples and it is more functional with lesser detailing and of course less meanings (from the point of view of Chinese culture). Third, a newly evolved style of Chinese temples built on shop houses which aside from offering and some community building holds no meanings at all. ( from my point of view).

Temples are basically open to public everyday but has it’s peak of visitors at festivals. So the fundamental question to the temple is :
a. Apart from building a temple that gives offering and closer to Buddha, what other activity can be introduced to the temple, such as education, community center, culture tourism, center of cultivation, etc. to have the temple function to it’s optimum?

This is a thesis website by ressox studio.