73/100 - At the mouth of dragon temple
The museum and the library are the closest things to a non-religious temple I can think of. Often delightful architecture, places for contemplation and silence, sometimes a sanctuary for the less fortunate of people and objects. It takes massive resources to build a temple of any kind but sometimes I wonder about building a secular temple that is welcoming to anyone, is non-commercial, quiet, and is also interesting architecturally, a feature of the landscape. I guess it would be like a public park for introverts.
I was feeling very sad once after finding out some difficult news, I was away from home walking down a city street, and I started crying. It feels really awkward to cry on the street so I was lucky enough to find a church, when I entered the main space was closed but I was directed to a small side chapel. Although I felt disconnected from the religious symbols the space felt like a kind, completely appropriate location to have a good cry. It was quiet and empty in a good way, it felt contemplative and it connected me to others because I thought I couldn't have been the only person who ever cried for one reason or another inside that room.
Most churches where I live now are closed door affairs so I still wonder about a kind of shared space that is not only about sadness but it can be about it if necessary. The Temple at burning man has had a very similar feel to what I'm describing, it can be wonderful but it exists in a temporary fashion and it takes some serious effort to get there. The rest of the time we can have walks in nature, images of dragon temple and the occasional gallery installation. This is the kind of space today's drawing longs for.
This temple in miniature is 3.25" by 3.75". Available here(sold).