Architecture has always been more than mere shelter - it expresses some of the most fundamental and universal aspects of human existence. Nowhere is this more evident than in sacred architecture, where the architectural elements of "path" and "place" can be seen as universal archetypal forms representing the spiritual path and its goal.

This book offers an in-depth survey of religious buildings and sacred sites around the world - from Japanese Zen gardens to the Stonehenge-like structures of England, from ancient Egyptian temples to contemporary religious structures. The author highlights the common elements found in these sites and suggests ways that contemporary architects can learn from the sacred architecture of the past.