What Is A Stupa?

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.  

The Anatomy

In its simplest form, a stupa is a mound of dirt that is then enhanced inside and out using stone, marbles, holy objects, pictures, scriptures, etc. to be used as a holy place that proves to be meditative for the pilgrims.  In India, the Great Stupa in Sanchi is said to be among the oldest stupas, the origin of which dates as far back as the fourth century BCE.

Different interior and exterior parts of a stupa are a representation of the Buddha’s life, words, teachings, and images. With that said, the basic shape of these stupas is what represents the way Buddha was seated when he attained the state of enlightenment.  The base of these stupas is always square-shaped as it depicts the Buddha’s legs that were crossed when he was sitting on the earth and meditating. The hemisphere/mound, i.e., the middle part of a stupa mimics his torso while the tapering point at the top symbolizes the head. You will also often be able to locate a wooden pole that represents the central channel (avadhuti) or spine of the Buddha.

The Inside of a Stupa

The inside of a stupa is usually seen donning ancient devout imagery, Holy Scriptures, and the remnants of the Buddha. Because of their worth and significance, most of these monuments are sealed but there are a few with entrances. The Buddhist pilgrims head to these stupas to enter and see or worship the remnants that are placed inside.

As a form of worship, the pilgrims visiting this holy shrine take walks around the base of stupa. They travel around in a clockwise fashion. This is the activity that allows Buddhists and non-Buddhists to meditate. It is firmly and widely believed by most Buddhists that taking rounds around a stupa (khoras) cleanses the mind, minimizes negative karma, and encourages them to take on the path of enlightenment. This process actually depicts the endless cycle of rebirth (samsara).

Types of Stupa

There are five types of stupas in the world including:

1. The relic stupa that contains the ruins of the Buddha and his followers

2. The object stupa is one that has been home to the Buddha or his disciples

3. The commemorative stupa that symbolizes and marks an occasion in the Buddha’s life

4. The symbolic stupa represent different teachings of the Buddha

5. The votive stupa built upright as a dedication

Share:

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on whatsapp
WhatsApp
Share on email
Email

Related Posts

Tandin Nye, Thimphu, Bhutan
Buddhist Sites

Tandin Nye, Thimphu, Bhutan

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.

Read More »
Rare Old Photos of Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal
Buddhist Sites

Rare Old Photos of Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal

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.

Read More »
Amravati Stupa
Buddhist Sites

Amravati Stupa in Amravati, India

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.

Read More »
Jetavanaramaya Stupa
Buddhist Sites

Jetavanaramaya Stupa in Anuradhpura

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.

Read More »
tibetan stupas in china
Buddhist Sites

Discovering the Unknown Side of Stupas

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.

Read More »

Join our reddit community.