A Stupa in Sanskrit is a type of religious Buddhist structure usually found across the Indian subcontinent and Asia symbolizing Buddha's mind an enlightened mind, (the awakened mind, universal divinity) and the path to its realisation. Perfectly describing, we can call these structures "Spiritual Monuments”. In Tibetan a Stupa is Chorten and in Nepal a Chaitya, which means "the basis of offering". A symbol of the Chorten also represents the Buddha's body and his speech, but most especially his mind and every part shows the path to Enlightenment. In many Southeast Asian countries a Stupa is called Chedi which comes from Pali a synonym of Stupa in Sri Lanka as dagoba, Candi in Indonesia, and Chedey in Cambodia. Where as in Japan is known as Tô.

The Stupa is the earliest Buddhist religious monument which was originally a simple mound made up of mud or clay, or a cairn in barren lands to cover the supposed relics of the Buddha. When the Buddha passed away his remains were cremated and the ashes were divided to be buried under eight Stupas with two further Stupas encasing the urn and the embers. We have a little knowledge about these early Stupas as it has not been possible to identify the original ten monuments. However the Stupas at the eight places associated with the life of the Buddha continues to great importance. Where as the importance of a Stupa converted from being a funerary monument to being an object of veneration.

The stupa evolved into the pagoda as Buddhism spread to other Asian countries. Fundamentally, a Stupa is made up of three parts a whitewashed square base, a whitewashed dome like cylinder and a crowning steeple or shaft. The whitewashed square base foundation represents the Buddha's lotus throne which symbolizes the earth, the state of slidity and five forces (faith, concentration, mindfulness, perseverance and wisdom.) The four stepped base sometimes have openings. On top of the base is a square or hexagon four stepped pedestal which represents The Buddha's crossed legs. The dome like hemispheric cylinder is seated on the base, representing his torso. This represents water, the state of fluidity and seven essential conditions of enlightenment: concentration, effort, equanimity, flexibility, mindfulness, joy and wisdom. A stupa sometimes has a shield like grillwork in one face a place for the relics of high lamas, statues and other items to be kept inside. Between the cylinder and the shaft there is a square box called Harmika which symbolizes the Buddha's eyes. It is also considered to be the residence of the gods, symbolizing the eightfold noble path. The crowning steeple is the Buddha's crown which is usually handmade of brass covered with gold leaf. It is segmented into 13 tapering rings, a parasol and a twin symbol of the Sun and the Moon. These rings represent fire and the thirteen steps of enlightenment also symbolizing ten powers of the Buddha and three close contemplations. The stylized parasol represents wind which wards off all evils and on the top of the steeple is the twin symbol of the Sun and the Moon know to be representing wisdom and method respectively. A flaming jewel may is found on the top of the twin symbol, symbolizing the highest enlightenment.

We here at www.himalayacrafts.com have a variety of selected miniatures of the Stupas, Chaityas or Chortens for online sale made by qualified and experienced craftsmen from Nepal and Tibetan people living in Nepal. If you want additional information on Stupa simply send us a mail at sales@himalayacrafts.com

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