Discover the Sacred Significance of Stupas in India: A Journey Through Time and Tradition
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
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 enlightenment –Bodh Gaya
where he gave his first sermon –Sarnath
where he attained Nibbana –Kushinagar.
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
Some of the most prominent Stupas in India are:
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.
