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Discover the Sacred Significance of Stupas in India: A Journey Through Time and Tradition

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Stupa


Discover the Timeless Significance of Stupas – From Heaps to Sacred Landmarks. Explore the evolution of the stupa, a Sanskrit word meaning heap, and its journey from a simple semi-circular mound of earth to a complex architectural marvel. Delve into the history of stupas, built at places regarded as sacred in relation to Buddha’s life and the significance of relics of the Buddha being buried beneath them. Uncover the pre-Buddhist origins of the tradition and its association with Buddhism.


The stupa is a Sanskrit word that means a heap.


It originated as a simple semi-circular mound of earth, which was later called Anda. Gradually with time and the addition of artwork it evolved and got transformed into a more complex structure.


Stupas were built at places that were regarded as sacred. Sacred because these places were related to Buddha’s life. Relics of the Buddha such as his bodily remains or objects used by him were buried under these mounds and these mounds are known as a stupa. The tradition of erecting stupas may have been pre-Buddhist, but they came to be associated with Buddhism.


sanchi stupa

Information about Stupa


Keyword Definition


Stupa A mound-like or hemispherical structure containing relics (such as śarīra – typically the remains of Buddhist monks or nuns) that is used as a place of meditation


Circumambulation (Pradakhshina) An important ritual and devotional practice in Buddhism involving walking around the stupa


South Asian Form A large solid dome above a tholobate or drum with vertical sides, which usually sits on a square base and there is no access to the inside of the structure


Vedikā Railings Decorative railings outside the path around the base, often highly decorated with sculpture, especially at the torana gateways


Chatras Thin vertical elements with one or more horizontal discs spreading from it. These are symbolic umbrellas.


==Sanchi Stupa== The most famous and best-preserved early stupa in India located in Madhya Pradesh


Votive Stupas Small stupas paid for by pilgrims and might be less than a meter high


Characteristics of Stupa

Characteristics Description


Form Hemispherical form derived from pre-Buddhist burial mounds in India


Components Circular base, solid dome (anda or garbha), umbrella, railing, and four gateways with relief sculptures


Symbolism Central relic is identified with the sacred person or concept commemorated and also with the building itself


Worship Consists in walking around the monument in the clockwise direction


Structure Freestanding monument, even when sheltered by a building


Stupa


Different Forms of Stupa in Buddhism

Form Description

South Asian Form A large solid dome with a tholobate or drum with vertical sides and sits on a square base


Chortens Form used in Tibetan Buddhism

Pagodas Form used in East Asian Buddhism

Elongated Shapes in South-East Asia Various dome shapes leading to high, thin spires


Chaitya A prayer hall or temple containing a stupa

Important Places of Buddha’s life – Gradually, each of these places came to be regarded as sacred.


where he was born –Lumbini

where he attained enlightenmentBodh Gaya

where he gave his first sermonSarnath

where he attained NibbanaKushinagar.

History of Stupa

History Description

Origin Developed from pre-Buddhist burial mounds in India


Spread Spread throughout the Buddhist world and evolved into different-looking monuments such as dagabas in Sri Lanka, terraced temple in Java, variations in Tibet, and multistoried pagodas in China, Korea, and Japan


Purpose Built to house the earthly remains of the historical Buddha and his associates, almost invariably found at sites sacred to Buddhism. The concept of a relic was afterward extended to include sacred texts.


Stupa and Chaitya

Term Description

Stupa In early Buddhist inscriptions in India stupa and caitya appear to be almost interchangable. Unlike stupa, however, caitya has a broader meaning and does not define an architectural form.


Chaitya In pre-Buddhist India, caitya was a term for a shrine, sanctuary, or holy place in the landscape, generally outdoors, inhabited by, or sacred to, a particular deity. In the Mahāyāna Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra, the Buddha remarks to Ananda how beautiful are the various caitya round Vaishali. In later times and in other countries, Chaitya implies the presence of important relics.


Mahastupa Both words have forms prefixed by maha for “great,” “large,” or “important,” but scholars find the difference between a mahastupa and a stupa hard to pin down.


Why were Stupa Built?

The Stupas were built at places that were considered as sacred, because of their relation to Buddha’s Life.

Relics of the Buddha-like his bodily remains and objects used by him were buried in these stupas.

The tradition of making stupa may have been pre-Buddhist, but they came to be linked with Buddhism because of the use of Stupa by the Buddhism sect. As they contained relics which is regarded as sacred, the entire stupa came to be venerated as a symbol of both the Buddha and Buddhism.

The Buddhist text Ashokavadana, mentions that the Great Asoka distributed portions of the Buddha’s relics to every important town and ordered for the construction of stupa over them. By the second century BCE, numerous stupas had been built, including those at Bharhut, Sanchi and Sarnath.


Stupa in India

Use of Stupa


Use Description


Worship Worship of a stupa consists in walking around the monument in the clockwise direction


Votive offerings Miniature stupas and pagodas are used by Buddhists throughout Asia as votive offerings


Commemoration Built by adherents of Jainism to commemorate their saints


How were stupa built?

The Inscriptions on the railings and pillars of these stupas shows that donations were made for building and decorating them. Some donations were made by kings such as the Satavahanas;

Some donations were made by guilds, such as that of the ivory workers who financed part of one of the gateways at Sanchi. Donations were made by Hundreds of women and men whose names were also mentioned on these Inscriptions, sometimes with the name of the place from where they came, as well as their occupations and names of their relatives.

Bhikkhus and bhikkhunis also donated towards building these stupas.


The structure of the stupa

The stupa began as a simple semi-circular mound of earth. And gradually, it evolved into a more complex structure. The simple semi-circular mound of earth is called Anda, above this anda is the harmika, a structure resembling a balcony it represents the abode of the gods.


Rising above from the harmika is a mast called the Yashti, often surmounted by a chhatri or umbrella. Around the mound is a railing known as Vedika. The Circumbulatory path between the railing and the Anda is known as Pradakshina.


The Entrance gate is called Torana.

Worshippers enter the Stupa through the eastern gateway and walk around the mound or Anda in a clockwise direction on the Pradakshina Path, keeping the mound on the right, imitating the sun’s course through the sky.


Stupa

Variations of Stupa

Variations Description


Dagaba Bell-shaped monument in Sri Lanka

Terraced temple Borobudur in Java


Variations in Tibet Different-looking stupas in Tibet


Multistoried pagodas China, Korea, and Japan


Stupas in India


Some of the most prominent Stupas in India are:

S.No Stupa Name Features


1 Papriwaha Stupa Lumbini, Oldest of all


2 Sanchi, Sarnath, Soneri and Sasaram These were built during the Mauryan Times


3 Baruhath Stupa Sunga Dynasty


4 Amravati Stupa Most important of South India.


5 Nagarjunaconda Stupa South India




Sanchi Stupa

The Sanchi Stupa, located in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India, is one of the most important and well-preserved Buddhist monuments in the world, dating back to the 3rd century BCE. Its massive hemispherical dome and intricate carvings depicting scenes from the life of the Buddha, as well as its exquisite stone gateways known as “toranas,” make it a true architectural marvel. The Sanchi Stupa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of India’s rich cultural heritage, attracting visitors from all over the world to marvel at its timeless beauty and historical significance.


Basic Information about Sanchi

Information Description

Location West-central Madhya Pradesh, Central India, near Vidisha


Distance from Allahabad Approximately 120 miles southwest of Allahabad


Best-Preserved Buddhist monuments India’s best-preserved group of Buddhist monuments, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1989.


Population (2001) 6,784


Population (2011) 8,401


Overview of the Great Stupa at Sanchi


Attribute Information


Location Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, India


Construction Originally built in the 3rd century BCE by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka


Size 120 feet (37 metres) wide and 54 feet (17 metres) high


Structure Hemispherical dome with a relic chamber, surrounded by a circular terrace, enclosed by a low wall with toranas at the cardinal points Symbols Dome symbolizes the dome of heaven, railing represents the world mountain, central pillar symbolizes the cosmic axis, triple umbrella structure represents the Three Jewels of Buddhism


Relief Sculpture Depicts the events of the Buddha’s life, Jataka stories, scenes of early Buddhism, and auspicious symbols


Donors Ivory workers of Vidisha


Abandoned Sometime after the 12th century CE


Rediscovery Discovered by British Gen. Henry Taylor in 1818


Restoration Began in 1881, completed in 1919 under the supervision of Sir John Hubert Marshall


UNESCO World Heritage Site Designated in 1989


Other Remains at Sanchi


Information Description


Other Stupas Several smaller stupas


Assembly Hall (Chaitya) An assembly hall


Ashokan Pillar An Ashokan Pillar with inscriptions


Monasteries Several monasteries (4th-11th century CE)


Relic Caskets A number of relic caskets containing remains of the Buddha


Epigraphical Records Over 400 epigraphical records have been discovered


Barhut Stupa

The Bharhut Stupa, built in the 2nd century BCE, is a well-preserved ancient Indian Buddhist monument renowned for its intricate carvings and sculptures depicting tales from the life of the Buddha. This grand stupa, located in the Madhya Pradesh state of India, stands as a testament to the artistic and architectural mastery of ancient India and continues to captivate visitors with its beauty and rich cultural heritage.


Details of the Buddhist Stupa in Bharhut

Information Description


Discovered by Major General Alexander Cunningham in 1873


Preserved Indian Museum, Kolkata, and Municipal Museum of Allahabad


Time of Construction Around 250 BCE during the rule of Ashoka


Material Initially built of brick, enlarged in stone


Surrounding Stone Railing Constructed in 2nd century BCE with entrances on four cardinal points, fine relief carvings on the inner face

Stone Gateways Four gateways added to the entrances in 1st century BCE, elaborately carved, assigned to King Dhanabhuti during the rule of the Shungas

Artistic Significance Early and finest examples of the developing style of Buddhist art in India


Key Dates in the History of Bharhut Stupa


Information Date

Discovery 1873

Construction (beginning) 250 BCE (Ashoka)


Enlargement 2nd century BCE


Stone Railing 2nd century BCE Stone Gateways 1st century BCE (King Dhanabhuti during Shunga rule)


This was the brief about Stupa and Stupas in India.


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