There’s great symbolism in the traditional designs of places of worship. Hindu temples are built in the form of a man. The outer court represents the human body, the inner court the mind, and the shrine room the soul; teaching us to move within ourselves to find God. Moslem mosques are also built in the form of a man. The central dome is the head and the minarets are the hands raised in prayer; teaching us to come to God through submission. Buddhist temples are built in the form of a man meditating: legs crossed and the head held straight; representing the way of inner withdrawal from the world.
The traditional Christian church is also built in the form of a man – a man stretched out upon a cross; and herein lies the difference. Jesus does not call us to find our way to God. He says, “I am the way…”