Stupa

A stupa (from Sanskrit: m., स्तूप, stūpa, Template:Wiki: ස්ථූපය, Pāli: थुप "thūpa", literally meaning "heap") is a mound-like Template:Wiki containing Buddhist relics, typically the ashes of deceased, used by Buddhists as a place of Meditation.

The term "reliquary" is sometimes used, after a Template:Wiki functional Template:Wiki.

Stupas are an ancient Form of Mandala.

Description and history

The stupa is the oldest Buddhist religious monument and was originally only a simple mound of mud or clay to cover Relics of the Buddha (cetiya).

After the Parinirvana of The Buddha, his Template:Wiki were Template:Wiki and the ashes divided and buried under eight Stupas with two further Stupas encasing the urn and the embers.

Little is known about these early Stupas, particularly since it has not been possible to identify the original ten monuments.

However, some later Stupas, such as at Sarnath and Sanchi, seem to be embellishments of earlier mounds.

In the third century BC, after his Conversion to Buddhism, the Template:Wiki Asoka had the original Stupas opened and the Template:Wiki distributed among the several thousand Stupas he had built.

Nevertheless, the Stupas at the eight places associated with the life of the Buddha continued to be of particular importance.

Accordingly, the importance of a stupa changed from being a funerary monument to being an object of veneration. As a consequence their appearance changed also.

Stupas were built in Sri Lanka soon after King Devanampiyatissa converted to Buddhism,

the first stupa to be built was the Thuparamaya.

Later on Sri Lanka went on to build many Stupas over the years, some like the Jetavanarama in Anuradhapura being one of the tallest ancient structures in the World.

Sri Lanka also boasts construction of Stupas, which have used most advanced Template:Wiki techniques and Knowledge, for example the use of 'Template:Wiki conductors' and 'special shelters (vatadage)', which is the reason they have been standing undamaged for thousands of years.

Ghalegay hosts one of the biggest Stupas at Mohallah Singardar in district Swat, Template:Wiki.

They evolved into large hemispherical mounds with Template:Wiki such as the:

Torana (gateway), the vedica (fence-like enclosure evolved from the Template:Wiki villages), the harmika (a square platform with railings on top of the stupa), chattrayashti (the parasol or Template:Wiki) and a circumambulatory around the stupa.

Stupa

From the third century BCE onwards, Stupas were incorporated into the hall of the Chaitya-griha.

One such stupa was discovered at Sopara, an ancient port near Template:Wiki, and is believed to be one of the most ancient Stupas in the World.

The oldest known stupa is the Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath, India, while the tallest is the Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, at a height of 127 metres.

The most elaborate stupa is the 8th century Borobudur monument in Template:Wiki, Template:Wiki.

The upper rounded terrace with rows of Bell shaped Stupas contained Buddha images symbolizing Arupadhatu, the sphere of formlessness.

The main stupa itself is empty, symbolizing complete perfection of Enlightenment.

The main stupa is only the Template:Wiki part of the monument, while the base is pyramidal Template:Wiki elaborate with galleries adorned with bas relief of scenes derived from Buddhist text depicted the Life of Siddharta Gautama.

Borobudur unique and significant architecture has been acknowledge by Template:Wiki as the largest buddhist monument in the World.

According to Brahmi, kharoshti, Pali and Sanskrit Template:Wiki Ashoka the Great founded 84,000 Stupas all over the Template:Wiki Template:Wiki.

The stupa evolved into the Pagoda as Buddhism spread to other Template:Wiki countries.

The Pagoda has varied forms that also include bellshaped and pyramidal ones.

Today, in the Western context, there is no clear Template:Wiki between the stupa and the Pagoda.

But in general stupa is used for a Buddhist Template:Wiki of India or south-east Template:Wiki, while Pagoda refers to a building in Template:Wiki Template:Wiki which can be entered and which may be Template:Wiki in Template:Wiki.

Types of Stupas

Built for a variety of reasons, Buddhist Stupas are classified based on Form and function into five types:

    Template:LTSWRelic stupa - in which the relics or Template:Wiki of The Buddha, his disciples and lay Template:Wiki are interred.

    Template:LTSWObject stupa - in which the items interred are objects belonged to The Buddha or his disciples such as a begging bowl or robe, or important Buddhist scriptures.


    Template:LTSWCommemorative Stupas - built to commemorate events in the lives of Buddha or his disciples.


    Template:LTSWSymbolic stupa- to symbolise aspects of Buddhist Template:Wiki, for example, Borobuddur is considered to be the Symbol of "the Three Worlds (dhatu) and the Spiritual stages (Bhumi) in a Mahayana Bodhisattva's character."

    Template:LTSWVotive Stupas - constructed to commemorate visits or to gain Spiritual benefits, usually at the site of prominent Stupas which are regularly visited.

Features of a stupa

    Harmika-It is built on the top of the oval shaped stupa.

    Medhi-It is an elevated circular Path around the stupa used for Pradhikshina

    Toran-It is the Gateway to the stupa.

    Vedica-It is a railing meant for the protection of the Template:Wiki place.

Symbolism

The sharing of the Relics of the Buddha, Zenyōmitsu-Temple Museum, Tokyo

Buddha relics from Kanishka's stupa in Peshawar, Template:Wiki.

These surviving relics are now housed in Mandalay, Burma.

"The shape of the stupa represents The Buddha, crowned and sitting in Meditation Posture on a Lion Throne.

His Template:Wiki is the top of the spire; his Template:Wiki is the square at the spire's base; his Body is the vase shape; his Template:Wiki are the four steps of the lower terrace; and the base is his throne."

Five purified elements

Although not described in any Tibetan text on stupa symbolism, the stupa may represent the five purified elements:

    The square base represents Earth
    The hemispherical dome/vase represents water
    The conical spire represents Fire
    The upper lotus parasol and the crescent Template:Wiki represents air
    The Template:Wiki and the dissolving point represents the element of space

Construction

To build a stupa, transmissions and Template:Wiki from a Buddhist teacher is necessary.

Which kind of Stupa to be constructed in a certain area is decided together with the teacher assisting in the construction.

Sometimes the type of stupa chosen is directly connected with events that have taken place in the area.

Treasury

All Stupas contain a treasury filled with various objects.

Small Offerings called Tsa-Tsas fill a major part of the treasury. Creation of various types of Tsa-Tsas is a Template:Wiki itself.

Mantras written on paper are rolled into thin rolls, and put into these small clay Stupas.

Filling the treasury, one layer of Tsa-Tsas are placed, and the empty space between is filled with dry sand.

On the new surface appearing, another layer is made, until the entire space of a treasury is full.

The number of Tsa-Tsas are dependent on the size of both the treasury and Tsa-Tsa, since it should be completely filled.

For example, the Kalachakra stupa in southern Template:Wiki has approximately 14 000 Tsa-Tsas within.

Jewellery and other "precious" objects are also placed in the treasury.

It is not necessary that the jewellery be expensive, since it is the symbolic value that is important, not the market price.

It is believed that the more objects placed into the stupa, the stronger the energy of the Stupa will be.

Tree of Life

A very important element in every Stupa is the Tree of Life.

It is a wooden pole covered with Gems and thousands of Mantras, and placed in the central channel of the stupa.

It is placed here during a Template:Wiki or initiation, where the participants hold colorful ribbons connected to the Tree of Life.

Together the participants make their most positive and powerful wishes, which are stored in the Tree of Life. In this way the stupa is charged up, and will start to function.

Benefits

Building a stupa is considered extremely beneficial, leaving very positive karmic imprints in the mind.

Future benefits from this action will result in fortunate rebirths.

Fortunate worldly benefits will be the result, such as being born into a rich family, having a beautiful Body, a nice Template:Wiki, and being attractive and bringing Joy to others and having a long and happy Life, in which one's wishes are fulfilled quickly.

On the absolute level, one will also be able to reach Enlightenment, the goal of Buddhism, quickly.[7]

Destroying a stupa on the other hand, is considered an extremely negative deed, similar to Template:Wiki.

Such an action is explained to create massive negative karmic imprints, leading to massive Template:Wiki problems.

It is said this action will leave the mind in a state of paranoia after Death has occurred, leading to totally unfortunate rebirths.

Eight great Stupas

There are eight different kinds of Stupas in Tibetan Buddhism, each referring to major events in The Buddha's Life.[5]

lotus Blossom Stupa

Also known as Stupa of Heaped Lotuses or Birth of the Sugata Stupa, this stupa refers to The Birth of the Buddha.

"At birth Buddha took seven steps in each of the four directions":

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Template:Wiki,
Template:Wiki and
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In each direction lotuses sprang, symbolizing the Four Immeasurables:

Love,
COMPASSION,
Joy and
Equanimity.

The four steps of the basis of this stupa is circular, and it is decorated with lotus-petal designs.

Occasionally, seven heaped lotus steps are constructed.

These refer to the seven first steps of The Buddha.

Enlightenment Stupa

Also known as the Stupa of the Conquest of Mara.

This stupa symbolizes the 35-year-old Buddha's attainment of Enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, where he conquered worldly temptations and attacks manifesting in the Form of Mara.

Stupa of Many Doors

Also known as the Stupa of Many Gates.

After reaching Enlightenment, The Buddha taught his first students in a deer-park near Sarnath.

The series of doors on each side of the steps represent the first teachings: The Four Noble Truths, the Six Perfections, the Noble Eightfold Path and the Twelve Links in the Chain of Dependent origination.

Stupa of Descent from the God Realm

At 42 years of age, Buddha spent a summer Retreat in Tushita Heaven, where his mother had taken Rebirth.

In order to repay her Kindness he taught the Dharma to her Reincarnation.

Local inhabitants built a stupa like this in Sankasya in order to commemorate this event.

This stupa is characterized by having a central projection at each side containing a triple ladder or steps.

Stupa of Great Miracles

Also known as Stupa of Conquest of the Tirthikas.

This stupa refers to various Miracles performed by The Buddha when he was 50 years old.

Legend claims that he overpowered maras and Template:Wiki by engaging them in Intellectual arguments and also by performing Miracles.

This stupa was raised by the Lichavi Template:Wiki to commemorate the event.

Stupa of Reconciliation

This stupa commemorates The Buddha's resolution of a dispute among The Sangha.

A stupa in this design was built in the Template:Wiki of Magadha, where the reconciliation occurred.

It has four octagonal steps with Template:Wiki sides.

Stupa of Complete Victory

This stupa commemorates Buddha's successful prolonging of his Life by three months. It has only three steps, which are circular and unadorned.

Stupa of Nirvana

This stupa refers to the Death of The Buddha, when he was 80 years old.

It symbolizes The Buddha's complete absorption into the highest state of mind. It is Bell-shaped and usually not ornamented.

Kalachakra stupa

A 9th kind of stupa exists; the Kalachakra stupa.

Its symbolism is not connected to events in The Buddha's Life, but instead to the symbolism of the Kalachakra Tantra, created to Template:Wiki against negative energies.

Regional names

Regional names for stupa include:

    Chaitya (Nepal)
    Dāgaba (usually spelled "Dagoba") (Template:Wiki: දාගැබ, from Sanskrit Dhātu-garbha. (दातु-गर्भ) "relic-chamber" )

    Chedi (Thai: เจดีย์, from the Pāli cetiya (चेतिय)

    Candi (Template:Wiki and Template:Wiki, pronounced 'chandi').

    Chorten (Tibet, Template:Wiki (India) and Bhutan) Template:BigTibetan (Wylie: mchod rten), "basis of Offering")[3]
    Chedey (Cambodia)[3]

    Phrathāt (Lanna)
    Havitta (Dhivehi: ހަވިއްތަ) or ustubu (Maldives)
    Suburgan/Suvarga (Mongolia)
    Субурган (Russia)
    Tap (Korea 塔/탑, from Template:Wiki)
    Tháp (Vietnam 塔, from Template:Wiki])
    Thart (Template:Wiki)
    Ta (Template:Wiki: 塔; Mandarin Template:Wiki: tă; Jyutping: taap3), ancient transliteration of Sanskrit stupa.
    Sotoba (Japan 卒塔婆/そとば, Tō (Japan 塔/とう, from Template:Wiki)
    Zedi (Template:Wiki [[Zedi] စေတီ) /Pahto (ပုထိုး])
    Setaow (စေတဳ, /cetɔe/)
    Tseti (ၸေႇတီႇ) or Puhto (ပူႉထူဝ်း)
    Chedi/Thoopam (Template:Wiki
    Pagoda Template:Wiki Template:Wiki[3]
    Tope (Template:Wiki: स्तूप, from the Sanskrit)
    Garbha (Sanskrit: गर्भ, meaning a storehouse or repository)

The Eight Stupas

The eight stupas