A pet returns to father in eastern temple (6)
I believe the answer is:
pagoda
'eastern temple' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'a pet returns to father' is the wordplay.
'pet' becomes 'dog' ().
'returns' says the letters should be written backwards.
'to' means one lot of letters go next to another (I've seen this in other clues).
'father' becomes 'pa' (pa can mean dad or father).
'a'+'dog'='adog'
'adog' backwards is 'goda'.
'goda' after 'pa' is 'PAGODA'.
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for pagoda that I've seen before include "Eastern tiered tower" , "holy building" , "place for devotees?" , "A buddhist temple built in tiers" , "Buddhist memorial building" .)