Buddhist buildings were initially called futu (a transliteration of the Sanskrit buddha-stūpa); later, the term gradually came to refer exclusively to the tall tower—pagoda, or cha (Sanskrit kṣetra, ‘field’), that were customarily erected in front of the worship hall, thus, monasteries and/or temples were also called cha. In fact, the Buddhist monastery or temple designates a place where Buddhist statues and scriptures are placed, a place where monks live, practice and promote Buddhism. Rulers recognized that promoting religion was advantageous to maintaining social order and their patronage made Buddhist buildings important structures, second only to imperial palaces. Famous Buddhist monasteries and temples in China include: Lingyin Monastery in Zhejiang, Xuankong (Hanging) Monastery and Foguang Monastery in Shanxi, Shaolin Monastery in Dengfeng and Baima (White Horse) Monastery in Luoyang (both in Henan province), Yonghe (Lama) Temple in Beijing, the Potala Palace in Tibet, Famen Monastery in Shaanxi, Kaiyuan Monastery in Quanzhou, Fujian, and Jinshan Monastery in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu.                    

Chinese monasteries and temples fall into five types: grotto monasteries, pagoda temples, Han-style monasteries or temples, sangharama (monastery or temple) with seven halls, and lama  temples. In the early days, Buddhist architecture in northern China followed the style of ancient India, featuring palace-style pagodas with brick masonry construction. Pagodas could have various numbers of stories—from one story to three, five, seven, or even nine. The outer walls of each story contained niches for Buddhist statues. This style of pagoda was passed down from generation to generation and represented a celestial palace with a thousand buddhas. Thus, this type of pagoda was called a palace-pagoda. Behind it, would be the Buddhist halls, surrounded by cells for the monks. The design and structure of the monastery or temple emphasized the religious significance of the palace-pagoda. Pagodas were built in the center of monasteries because that is where the śarīra and relics were enshrined; they held an important religious position. Therefore, worshipping the pagoda or walking around the pagoda and chanting Buddhist sutras were common practices for expressing reverence to the Buddha. 

The creative drive and popularization of Buddhism brought about a diversity of religious activities and buildings needed for them. The old-fashioned, Indian-style monasteries with storied pagodas were eventually replaced by Chinese-style monasteries with corridors and courtyards. There is always a main hall, regardless of whether the monastery has a simple or complex layout; other structures including halls, chambers, towers, and pavilions are constructed around the main building. The Chinese-style Buddhist buildings greatly enriched Buddhist culture and architecture.     

Although traces and traits of the ancient Indian style were preserved, Buddhist architecture in China followed Chinese aesthetics. The monastery, centered on a main hall, consists of a group or multiple groups of buildings, meticulously laid out. Special attention is paid to the monastery’s vertical axis: the various courtyards and buildings are built along the axis line, the main hall is situated at its center, and the side halls are arranged symmetrically along either side of it. Regardless of the size and scale, the construction of a monastery must follow all these principles. Even the most complicated monasteries, with multiple courtyards, are centered on their main halls.

Buddhist architectural art embodies the idealized worship ceremony. This can be observed in buildings such as monasteries, pagodas, and grottoes. At the same time, the sincere religious feeling is expressed in the sculptures, murals, stone carvings and stele inscriptions that are found on the monastery’s grounds and in the paintings, poetry and writings that adorn and are stored within them. The art of Buddhist monasteries and temples embodies the wisdom and artistic sentiment of our ancestors; it reflects their outstanding architectural skills and artistry; and, it documents a variety of architectural cultures. Buddhist monasteries are a valuable cultural heritage.