A Buddhist temple is a place of worship for Buddhists, and is often characterized by its pagodas, gongs, ZEN gardens, arhats, and viharas. Pagodas are multi-tiered structures that are often used as a place of worship in East Asian cultures. Gongs are large metal discs that are struck with a mallet to produce a loud sound. ZEN gardens are typically composed of sand, rocks, and plants, and are meant to evoke a sense of peace and tranquility. Arhats are Buddhist saints who have achieved enlightenment, and are often depicted in Buddhist art. Wats are the Thai term for a Buddhist temple, and viharas are monasteries where Buddhist monks live and practice their faith.