Both Hindu and Buddhist cultures are rich in religion and express their faith through art. Buddhist culture was formed by Buddha who went to discover the causes of pain and suffering. Once Buddha understood what the cause was, he provided a set of four guiding principles known as the “Four Noble Truths” which are exercised in Buddhism (Kleiner, p. 13). The Four Noble Truths are: “Life is suffering, the cause of suffering is desire, desire can be overcome and extinguished, the way to overcome desire and end suffering is to follow the Eightfold Path of the Buddha…” (p. 13). These truths are expressed throughout Buddhism and commonly implemented through art. Buddhism is practiced throughout Southeast Asia and southern India, where Buddhist art has a strong presence. This includes art in the form of statues, temples, paintings and architecture. The two dominant art forms are the stupas and the chaitya halls which often house the stupas. The Stupa is a round mound essential to the Buddhist religion. The stupa itself is not a tomb for the dead, but an abode for Buddha. These means of burial came into existence when Buddha died and was cremated. His remains were then scattered throughout the funeral home, solid and round. It was impossible to enter these stupas. Stupas can be of different sizes. There are portable stupas and giant structure stupas that represent a map of the universe. The most famous of the giant stupas is the Great Stupa of Sanchi. There are different parts of the structural stupas which represent different points of Buddhism. The main parts of the stopas are: domes form, toranas, harmika, yasti, three chatras and a stone fence...... middle of paper ......o Vishvanatha because as and as you progress towards the main tower there are a series of towers that increase in size. Since Vishnu is the "preserver of the universe", the five main towers of Angor Wat represent the five peaks of Mount Meru, which is the mountain at the center of the universe. When Suryavarman II died, the temple is believed to have absorbed him and hence he is worshiped as a god. Images and sculptures of Suryavarman II and Vishnu are depicted in the galleries of the tall towers of Angor Wat. Temples and structures represent religious ideals through elaborate architecture. Hinduism and Buddhism share similarities due to the depiction of gods in art forms. Temple buildings are important elements in the expression of faith in deities because of the preservation and worship that takes place there..