Difference between revisions of "The Meaning of the Buddhist Stupa"
(Created page with "thumb|250px| <poem> by ilovebuddhism His Holiness Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche is quoted to have said, “The visual impact of the stupa on th...") |
m (Text replacement - "moon" to "{{Wiki|moon}}") |
||
| (4 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) | |||
| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
| − | His Holiness Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche is quoted to have said, “The visual impact of the stupa on the observer brings a direct experience of inherent wakefulness and dignity. Stupas continue to be built because of their ability to liberate one simply upon seeing their structure.” [Source: Stupa.org.nz] And if you look at a stupa, you will agree that this is true; just watching a stupa gives you a feeling of inner peace and tranquility. If you ask a monk what a stupa is, he will most likely say ‘a spiritual monument that represents the mind of Buddha’. | + | [[His Holiness]] [[Chogyam Trungpa]] [[Rinpoche]] is quoted to have said, “The [[visual]] impact of the [[stupa]] on the observer brings a direct [[experience]] of inherent wakefulness and [[dignity]]. [[Stupas]] continue to be built because of their ability to liberate one simply upon [[seeing]] their structure.” [Source: Stupa.org.nz] And if you look at a [[stupa]], you will agree that this is true; just watching a [[stupa]] gives you a [[feeling]] of inner [[peace]] and [[tranquility]]. If you ask a [[monk]] what a [[stupa]] is, he will most likely say ‘a [[spiritual]] monument that represents the [[mind]] of Buddha’. |
| − | The Symbolism of the Stupa | + | The [[Symbolism]] of the Stupa |
| − | The stupas are Buddhist shrines that came into existence after Buddha’s death. Wherever these monuments were built it was either to commemorate Buddha’s eight great deeds during his life or to enshrine holy relics of Buddhism. | + | The [[stupas]] are [[Buddhist]] [[shrines]] that came into [[existence]] after [[Buddha’s]] [[death]]. Wherever these monuments were built it was either to commemorate [[Buddha’s]] eight great [[deeds]] during his [[life]] or to enshrine holy [[relics]] of Buddhism. |
| − | You will find that the stupas are built to represent symbolically the five elements of life – the ground square base represents earth, the large canopy represents the air, the round dome represents water, the cone shape of the stupa represents fire and lastly, the volume of the stupa represents space. | + | You will find that the [[stupas]] are built to represent [[symbolically]] the [[five elements]] of [[life]] – the ground square base represents [[earth]], the large canopy represents the [[air]], the round dome represents [[water]], the cone [[shape]] of the [[stupa]] represents [[fire]] and lastly, the volume of the [[stupa]] represents space. |
| − | The Symbolism You Will Find Inside Each Stupa | + | The [[Symbolism]] You Will Find Inside Each Stupa |
| − | Each stupa tells a story about the Buddha and the doctrines he passed on: | + | Each [[stupa]] tells a story about the [[Buddha]] and the [[doctrines]] he passed on: |
| − | The base platform represents the earth that embodies 10 virtues that a Buddhist practices: | + | The base platform represents the [[earth]] that [[embodies]] 10 [[virtues]] that a [[Buddhist]] practices: |
protect life | protect life | ||
be generous | be generous | ||
| − | live a moral life | + | [[live]] a [[moral]] life |
speak the truth | speak the truth | ||
| − | speak calmly and gently | + | speak [[calmly]] and gently |
speak sensibly | speak sensibly | ||
be content in whatever circumstances | be content in whatever circumstances | ||
be altruistic | be altruistic | ||
| − | maintain faith in right views | + | maintain [[faith]] in right views |
[[File:Veltsa-stuupa-ou.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Veltsa-stuupa-ou.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | The first three steps represent three spiritual anchors for your mind and soul: | + | The first three steps represent three [[spiritual]] anchors for your [[mind]] and soul: |
the Buddha | the Buddha | ||
the achieving of Buddha | the achieving of Buddha | ||
| − | the Sangha (those who practice the teachings) | + | the [[Sangha]] (those who practice the teachings) |
| − | As you go in, you will find the Lion Throne, which symbolizes the authority of the teachings. The treasure vase is the symbol of the eight noble riches. There would be lotus flowers in every stupa and these symbolize the six must-have virtues: | + | As you go in, you will find the [[Lion Throne]], which [[symbolizes]] the authority of the teachings. The [[treasure vase]] is the [[symbol]] of the eight [[noble]] riches. There would be [[lotus]] [[flowers]] in every [[stupa]] and these [[symbolize]] the six must-have virtues: |
generosity | generosity | ||
meditation | meditation | ||
wisdom | wisdom | ||
| − | pure morality | + | [[pure]] morality |
energy | energy | ||
| − | pure morality | + | [[pure]] morality |
| − | The four corners of the throne symbolize unlimited/ boundless virtues that promote one on the path of Buddha: | + | The four corners of the throne [[symbolize]] [[unlimited]]/ [[boundless]] [[virtues]] that promote one on the [[path]] of Buddha: |
| − | boundless love | + | [[boundless]] love |
| − | boundless compassion | + | [[boundless]] compassion |
| − | boundless joy | + | [[boundless]] joy |
| − | boundless calmness | + | [[boundless]] calmness |
[[File:Vadduvaakal stupa 01.JPG|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Vadduvaakal stupa 01.JPG|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | The tree of life is the symbol of ten steps to Nirvana: | + | The [[tree]] of [[life]] is the [[symbol]] of ten steps to Nirvana: |
| − | realization that you want to know the truth | + | [[realization]] that you want to know the truth |
| − | the discovery of the power of the mind | + | the discovery of the [[power]] of the mind |
the inter-dependent links | the inter-dependent links | ||
| − | the understanding of the illusion of happiness in life | + | the understanding of the [[illusion]] of [[happiness]] in life |
| − | recognizing suffering | + | [[recognizing]] suffering |
| − | realizing the origin of suffering | + | [[realizing]] the origin of suffering |
| − | the finding and walking on the path of cessation of suffering | + | the finding and walking on the [[path]] of [[cessation]] of suffering |
| − | finding and walking on the path that kills ego | + | finding and walking on the [[path]] that kills ego |
| − | the realization of nothing | + | the [[realization]] of nothing |
the finding of the truth | the finding of the truth | ||
| − | You will also find the moon which is the symbol of elimination of suffering; the sun which is a symbol of radiation of all-encompassing compassion. And on the top is the jewel that fulfills all wishes. | + | You will also find the {{Wiki|moon}} which is the [[symbol]] of elimination of [[suffering]]; the {{Wiki|sun}} which is a [[symbol]] of radiation of all-encompassing [[compassion]]. And on the top is the [[jewel]] that fulfills all wishes. |
| − | There are many more such symbols in a stupa, each telling a story about the great Buddha and seeking to inspire mankind towards freedom from pain and rebirth. | + | There are many more such [[symbols]] in a [[stupa]], each telling a story about the great [[Buddha]] and seeking to inspire mankind towards freedom from [[pain]] and rebirth. |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
Latest revision as of 19:47, 12 September 2013
by ilovebuddhism
His Holiness Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche is quoted to have said, “The visual impact of the stupa on the observer brings a direct experience of inherent wakefulness and dignity. Stupas continue to be built because of their ability to liberate one simply upon seeing their structure.” [Source: Stupa.org.nz] And if you look at a stupa, you will agree that this is true; just watching a stupa gives you a feeling of inner peace and tranquility. If you ask a monk what a stupa is, he will most likely say ‘a spiritual monument that represents the mind of Buddha’.
The Symbolism of the Stupa
The stupas are Buddhist shrines that came into existence after Buddha’s death. Wherever these monuments were built it was either to commemorate Buddha’s eight great deeds during his life or to enshrine holy relics of Buddhism.
You will find that the stupas are built to represent symbolically the five elements of life – the ground square base represents earth, the large canopy represents the air, the round dome represents water, the cone shape of the stupa represents fire and lastly, the volume of the stupa represents space.
The Symbolism You Will Find Inside Each Stupa
Each stupa tells a story about the Buddha and the doctrines he passed on:
The base platform represents the earth that embodies 10 virtues that a Buddhist practices:
protect life
be generous
live a moral life
speak the truth
speak calmly and gently
speak sensibly
be content in whatever circumstances
be altruistic
maintain faith in right views
The first three steps represent three spiritual anchors for your mind and soul:
the Buddha
the achieving of Buddha
the Sangha (those who practice the teachings)
As you go in, you will find the Lion Throne, which symbolizes the authority of the teachings. The treasure vase is the symbol of the eight noble riches. There would be lotus flowers in every stupa and these symbolize the six must-have virtues:
generosity
meditation
wisdom
pure morality
energy
pure morality
The four corners of the throne symbolize unlimited/ boundless virtues that promote one on the path of Buddha:
boundless love
boundless compassion
boundless joy
boundless calmness
The tree of life is the symbol of ten steps to Nirvana:
realization that you want to know the truth
the discovery of the power of the mind
the inter-dependent links
the understanding of the illusion of happiness in life
recognizing suffering
realizing the origin of suffering
the finding and walking on the path of cessation of suffering
finding and walking on the path that kills ego
the realization of nothing
the finding of the truth
You will also find the moon which is the symbol of elimination of suffering; the sun which is a symbol of radiation of all-encompassing compassion. And on the top is the jewel that fulfills all wishes.
There are many more such symbols in a stupa, each telling a story about the great Buddha and seeking to inspire mankind towards freedom from pain and rebirth.
