According to the Nyeyig, Guru Rinpoche གུ་རུ་རིན་པོ་ཆེ། in the 8th century is believed to have meditated on the practice of Tandin རྟ་མགྲིན་ (Hayagriva) at this place in order to subdue the evil forces of the region. Centuries later, great masters such as Phajo Drugom during the 13th century and Terton Drukdra Dorji in the 17th century is also supposed to have meditated and practiced at this place.
The Boudhanath Stupa, locally known as Khasti (खास्ती) in Nepali language or Boudha Stupa, in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal was built hundreds of years ago and carry with it a long history that is an important part of the story of Nepal and of Buddhism in the Himalaya. In these rare photos collection of the stupa we can witness this great monument as it looked in the past and see the transformation the entire Kathmandu valley went through. Still, even though many years as passed, it seems that the stupa itself stood strong and changed very little over the years.
One of the most popular spiritual sites in the entire world is Lumbini, the birthplace of the historic Lord Buddha Shakyamuni.
Located in Andhra Pradesh in India, the Amravati Stupa is an exemplary relic that displays the best work of the Buddhist school of architecture. It is 65 kilometers away from the city of Vijayawada and attracts hundreds of pilgrims, followers, and tourists from India and across the world every year. While the radiant monument doesn’t need any sidelines to enhance the look, the placement of it on the banks of the River Krishna adds a lot to its charm and glory.
The Jetavanaramaya is a Buddhist stupa and at 122 meters (400 feet) is ranked as the world’s tallest stupa and the third tallest structure back when it was originally built almost 1700 years ago. It is believed to have been built at the site where the last rights of Hinda Maha Thero were performed. Hinda, a revered figure in Sri Lankan history, is the monk who first brought Buddhism to the island.
A stupa is generally known as the most important architectural symbol in Buddhism, but few are aware of the fact that the structure pre-dates Buddhism itself. It has existed through pre-Buddhist times in India in some shape or form. The remains of the dead, mostly of someone important, were stored in a mound to pay homage and reverence to.
Also known as Peace Pagda or Peace Pagoda, the Shanti Stupa of Dhauli Giri is a one-of-a-kind stupa near Bhubaneswar in India.
Those who have traveled to countries in Southeast Asia must have come across the beautiful stupas at least once. The stupas are majestically gorgeous places that are used for sacred purposes and meditation. It is often designed to resemble the shape of a bell and is embellished with gold and gold paint, shiny adornments, and precious stones, etc. For Buddhists, stupas are the shrines of great significance and prestige.
Thirty six meters high and one of the largest stupas in Asia, the Bouddhanath Stupa was built around the 5th century. For centuries, the stupa has held an important place as a spiritual site for Tibetan and Nepali Buddhists.
The ride from central Kathmandu in Nepal to the small but beautiful village in the mountains called Namo Buddha is 40 kilometers. Regardless of its size, the village is of huge importance and worth to Buddhists because of the ancient story of Namo Buddha (translated as ‘Homage to the Buddha’). The Namo Buddha is situated downhill from the Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery, which is another amazing site and point of interest. The monastery is home to approximately 250 monks.
From the early beginning of the Buddhist faith, construction and veneration to stupas took a unique place. Evidences for this can be found in the early Buddhist scriptures, also known as sutras, which some of them are presented here.
Regardless of whether you are visiting Sedona, Arizona for spiritual purposes or not, a visit to the striking Amitabha Stupa is strongly recommended. Those who have visited this destination say that there is something really special and unique about it; something that no other present-day locale or spiritual center has.
