GREAT SANCI STUPA (AND OTHER STUPAS)

LOCATION OF SANCI STUPA

TYPES OF STUPAS

• Relic Stupa- In which are the relics or remains of the Buddha, his disciples and lay saints are interred.
• Object Stupa- Important Buddhist scriptures.
• Commemorative Stupa- Built to commemorate events in the lives of Buddha or his disciples.
• Symbolic stupa- To symbolise aspects of Buddhist theology.
• Votive Stupa- Constructed to commemorate visits or to gain spiritual benefits.

DEFINITION OF STUPA

FACTS ABOUT STUPAS

• Stupas were built in Sri Lanka soon after King Devanampiyatissa converted to Buddhism.
• The first stupa to be built was the Thuparamaya.
• The Sanchi Stupa in Central India is the oldest stone building in India.
• Stupas originated as pre-Buddhist earthen burial mounds

DESIGN ON STUPAS

• railings and gates of the Sanchi Stupa are richly sculptured with different designs
• Buddha has been represented by footprints, wheels, and thrones, not his own image

THE STUPAS REPRESENT THE FIVE PURIFIED ELEMENTS

• The square base represents earth
• The hemispherical dome/vase represents water
• The conical spire represents fire
• The upper lotus parasol and the crescent moon represents air
• The sun and the dissolving point represents the element of space

WORKS CITED

• http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanchi
• "Pictures, Photos of Sanchi, India." Pictures, Photos of Sanchi, India. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Jan. 2015.
• "Sanchi Stupa." - Great. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Jan. 2015.
• "Stupa." - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Jan. 2015.