(By Tsem Rinpoche)

Dear friends, 

I was on blog chat the other day. I starting talking about stupas and Lord Atisha. Everyone was very interested.  Our chat became very busy, many inputs and many from around the world starting chatting. That day we used the chat box for learning purposes…So I asked the people online to please research, compile and write and articles…..below are 10 articles on “Stupas” by 10 persons submitted to me…I love them.

Please read through these articles and see the WONDERFUL PHOTOGRAPHS SOME OF THEM INCLUDED. Some even included about Atisha which we chatted about that day. You will learn alot about stupas, origins, purpose and see how they have been created for thousands of years as a monument to bless the environment, bless the animals, bless the people, protect people from dangerous natural disasters and generally create harmony in the land. Everyone should create these holy stupas wherever you are. Even a small one in your backyard.

 I want everyone to please read through and let me know which article you find the most informative, well-researched, and comprehensive, and please put your comments in the comment section at the bottom of this post, thank you. All the articles are good. But you readers pick the best one and say why. I will compile and announce the winner within 10 days. I will offer a very special prize to the winner. You the readers determine the winner for me please!!

Everyone who submitted articles on time, I thank you very much.

Tsem Rinpoche

ARTICLE 1
by Andrew James Boon and Thierry Janssens

STUPAS –THE BENEFITS

There are rare golden opportunities that present themselves to us in life, rare opportunities.
One of them is to meet our Guru, that is an extraordinary opportunity indeed.
Participating to be construction of a stupa is another golden opportunity that we should know is nothing short of amazing. The positive energy that is created by such an action is staggering and extremely potent.

Participating to the construction of a stupa brings about many benefits, great merits, and leave powerful karmic imprint in the mind of everyone involved with the construction. Great merit is also gained from all the beings that will benefit from the stupa in the future.

On the opposite end, the destruction of a stupa creates very powerful negative karma, clouding the mind of the perpetrator in such a way that he will be blind to Dharma and be entangled in a cycle of very unfortunate rebirths.

Ananda who was one of the principal attendants of the Buddha once asked Him which one of these three actions would bring about the most benefit:

1.    to build a stupa,
2.    to make a statue of the Buddha,
3.    to build a residence for the Sangha?

The Buddha answered (from the sutra “Med Ton Djoung We do”):

“Ananda, the merit accumulated by one who makes a Stupa of the Mahhparinirvana of perfect Buddhas, Tathigatas, and those who have been victorious over all demons, even If that Stupa Is the size of a myrobolan fruit, with a tree of life as thin as a needle, It’s umbrella like a leaf of the juniper leaf, the Statue the size of a barleycorn and the Relleslike a mustard seed, even though that merit Is much vaster than all merits accumulated by the sons and daughters of noble family with Intense devotion, when they create three hundred thousand universes made of seven kinds of precious matters and offer them to Great Beings, such as “the one who has entered Into the stream” (Srotapinna), “the one who returns back only once” (SakadigAmi), “the one who returns no more’ (Anfigfimi), “the one who has been victorious over such enemies as conflicting emotions” (Arahant).”

In another instance, the Buddha was addressing a Sangha community in Rajgir when Maitreya presented Him with a question.
Maitreya asked: “In the distant future there will come a time when it will be very difficult for people to practise Dharma. Due to the enormous number of negative forces and many types of obstacles they will not be able to practise as they would like. What conducive factors will be needed to ward-off and pacify all these negative forces?”

The Buddha named five factors that, combined, would present the practitioner with an environment conducive to their Dharma practice. For the practitioner, these factors are also contributing to the attainment of enlightenment.
These five factors are:

1.    to give Dharma constantly with the intention of benefiting others,
2.    to constantly give sentient beings a sense of security, to give them freedom from fear and to save beings whose lives are at risk and provide them with security and peace of mind,
3.    to constantly reflect on the “four immeasurables”,
4.    to constantly repair old stupas or to commission the construction of new stupas,
5.    to constantly maintain the mind of enlightenment, Bodhicitta.

A stupa represents the Buddha’s enlightened mind, and since the Buddha’s mind qualities are limitless, it is no surprise that any worship, any offering made towards it brings about enormous benefits.
It is said that even just hearing about a stupa creates merits, let alone, touching it, praying to it or giving it offerings.

From Lama Zopa Rinpoche:

“Building a stupa is a way to benefit sentient beings without using words. They are very powerful objects for purifying negative states of the mind. To have such a holy object existing in a country makes that country very rich and very lucky. Wherever a stupa is built, it will become a powerful place for healing and a cause of whatever success visitors are seeking. By coming and seeing such holy objects, each person can have the potential to transform their mind. These benefits apply to all sentient beings that come to the stupa, even dogs that are taken for a walk around it.”

“The Stupa represents Buddha’s holy mind, Dharmakaya, and each part of the Stupa shows the path to Enlightenment. Building a Stupa is a very powerful way to purify negative karma and obscurations, and to accumulate extensive merit. In this way you can have realizations of the path to Enlightenment and be able to do perfect work to liberate suffering beings, who equal the sky, leading them to the peerless happiness of Enlightenment, which is the ultimate goal of our life.”

“The benefits you receive from building a stupa equal the number of atoms of the stupa, and these benefits exist as long as the stupa exists. Sentient beings accumulate extensive merit by making offerings to holy objects, and from this merit happiness comes”

The following ten benefits of a Stupa were explained by Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche in Chenrezig Institute, Australia, in September 1994.

1.     If you make 1,000 Stupas, you will become a great ‘Wheel-turning Holder of the Wisdom Teachings’ (Mahayana Secret Mantra) and have clairvoyance knowing all the Buddhadharma.
2.     After death, without being born in the lower realms, you will be born as a King.
3.     You will become like a sun, rising in the world, with perfect senses and a beautiful body.
4.     You will be able to remember past lives and see future lives.
5.     You will be able to extensively listen to the Dharma without forgetfulness.
6.     The “Stainless Beam” sutra states – ‘All negative karma and obscurations, including the five uninterrupted negative karmas, are purified even by dreaming of a Stupa, seeing a Stupa hearing the sound of the bell of a Stupa and even for birds and flies etc, by being touched by the shadow of a Stupa.
7.    The sentient beings will always be protected by the Buddhas, who always pay attention to guiding them to achieve complete pure Enlightenment. They abide in the irreversible stage.
8.    It is explained by Shakyamuni Buddha in the Sutras, that it is extremely powerful to build a Stupa for those who have passed away, as it immediately changes a suffering rebirth into a fortunate rebirth with the opportunity to meet the Dharma.
9.    It can also heal those with serious diseases.
10.    There is no question that it accumulates extensive merit and brings success and happiness. Therefore, dedicate for your ancestors, family members and friends who have passed away or who are sick, and for the happiness of yourself and your family in this and future lives. “

Here below, and until the end of this chapter is an explanation of the benefits from building a stupa as explained by Chatral Sangye Dorje Rinpoche in 1966.
Chatral Sangye Dorje Rinpoche is a Master of the Longchen Nyingthig branch of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism.

The Karmavibhanga Sutra says that the Buddha spoke to the young Brahmin Shuka like this:
They are eighteen benefits of building a Tathagata Stupa:

1.    One will be born as the child of a great king.
2.    One will have a noble body
3.    One will become very beautiful and very attractive.
4.    One will have sharp sense faculties.
5.    One will be powerful and famous.
6.    One will have a great entourage of servants.
7.    One will become a leader of men.
8.    One will be a support to all.
9.    One will be renowned in the ten directions.
10.    One will be able to express oneself in words and verses extensively.
11.    One will receive offerings from men and gods.
12.    One will possess many riches.
13.    One will obtain the kingdom of a universal monarch.
14.    One will have long life.
15.    One’s body will be like a collection of vajras.
16.    One’s body will be endowed with the major marks and the minor signs (of a Buddha).
17.    One will take rebirth in the three higher realms.
18.    One will swiftly attain complete enlightenment.

In the Manjushri Mula Tantra, it is said:
If one builds a Stupa with one’s own hands in order to purify one’s body, one will be able to do so, even if one has committed the five heinous crimes.
If one builds one hundred thousand Stupas, one will become the Universal Ruler of all Knowledge-Holders, completely understanding all scriptures and being endowed with skills and wisdom during an abiding Aeon.
After death, one will always be born as a king and never go to the three lower realms.
Like the sun rising in a central country, one will be endowed with all sense faculties, retaining what one has learned and remembering one’s former lives.

In the Sutra called “Casket of Secret Relics”, it is said:
The Bhagavan spoke:

“Vajrapani! If one writes this Dharma teaching and places it inside a Stupa, that Stupa will become the quintessential vajra relic of all the Tathagatas.
It will become a Stupa blessed with the secret Dharani essence of all Tathagatas.
It will become a Stupa of ninety-nine Tathagatas, just as many as there are sesame seeds in a sesame pot.
It will be blessed as a Stupa which contains the eyes and Ushnisha of all Tathagatas.”

Whoever places images of the Buddha in a Stupa, that person will be blessed with the nature of the seven precious jewels of the Tathagata images.
Whoever pays reverence and respect to this Stupa, will become non-returners and will eventually completely and perfectly awaken to the unsurpassed and utterly perfect enlightenment.

Even if one offers only one prostration or makes one single circumambulation, one will be completely freed from going to places like the Avici Hell.
One will never fall away from the (path to) unexcelled and completely perfect enlightenment. Also the area around this Stupa and images will be blessed by all Tathagatas.

In the Saddharma Pundarika Sutra, it is said:
Walls are built from mud and bricks and a Stupa of the Jina is made likewise.
Therefore, even if it is built from heaps of dust;
Whoever builds a Stupa for the sake of the Jina, in remote places of suffering;
Even if it is made of a heap of sand, by children playing games;
(The builder) will reach enlightenment.

The benefit of presenting offerings (to a Stupa) are stated in the Sutra requested by Prasenajid:
If one washes white a Buddha Stupa:
One will have a long life in the worlds of gods and men.
One’s body and mind will be free from sickness.
One will overcome all suffering.
One will attain permanent happiness and will be wealthy.

If one rings a bell in front of a Buddha Stupa:
One will have charismatic speech and great fame.
One will gain the pleasant voice of Brahma and remember one’s previous lives.

Whoever among the scholars, turns his mala with a devoted mind in front of a Sugata Stupa:
Will be well presented with many precious golden malas.
Will attain various ornaments.
And will become the foremost among the meritorious and fortunate ones.

Whoever offers to a Stupa of the Jina, the sound of music:
Will gain perfect confidence in profundity and knowledge.
One will have a perfect physical form and a pure mind and speech.
One’s speech will fill the world

If people fix various beautiful banners at an essential reliquary (Stupa), which is the source of immaculate merit, they themselves will receive offerings as they are now an offering field for the three worlds.

If one fixes streamers at a Sugata Stupa,
One will become a glorious ruler of men.
One will become a powerful ruler of gods and will experience great bliss.
One will attain the special streamer of complete liberation.

If one cleans a Buddha Stupa:
One will become beautiful and attractive.
One will have a noble face and the complexion of a lotus.
One will be completely free from defects of samsara.

Whoever cleans the dust around a Stupa, with clean water in the spring time, will be pleasantly fanned by ladies holding golden handled fans.

Concerning the benefits of prostrating and circumambulating a Stupa, it is said in the Avalokiteshvara Sutra:
If one pays respect kneeling before a Buddha Stupa:
One will become a heroic and powerful world monarch.
One will have an armor with golden emblems.
One will become a powerful teacher and take delight in the Buddhas.

In the Saddharma Pundarika Sutra, it is said:
Whoever joins their palms before a Stupa, whether with two hands or just one;
Whoever just one time bows their body, or even briefly bends their head;
Whoever prostrates or merely says “Buddha” with a distracted mind, whether once or several times before places where relics are kept;
That one will attain supreme enlightenment.

In the Caitya Pradakshina Ghata, it is said:
The qualities of circumambulating a Stupa of the Protector of the World cannot be described properly with mere words.

STUPAS –THE CONSTRUCTION

Upon the selection of the site for the erection of a stupa, pujas are being done to bless the site, appease the land deities and remove the obstacles.

The people that will participate to the construction must ensure that their motivation is correct by taking refuge and generating bodhicitta.

In the Tibetan tradition, the base of the stupa is square, each side representing one of the Four Immeasurables: love, compassion, joy and equanimity, and is called “The Lion’s Throne” or “The Lion’s Seat”. This base is traditionally filled with precious items, jewellery, holy texts or relics.
On top of this seat are five steps that each symbolize two of the ten levels of Bodhicitta.
Then we find a rounded form built on top of the steps that is called a Bumpa.
On large stupa structures, this bumpa may contain a room for meditation, otherwise, it may also be filled.
Finally, from the bumpa arises a spire capped with an ornament.

A stupa being the symbolic representation of an enlightened mind, its outer form must be made without faults and its inner content must be also have been made with a proper motivation.

A central axis called Sog Shing (meaning “Life Stick”) is prepared, carved from sandalwood or juniper by a fully ordained monk into a tapered shape. Mantras are also painted or engraved on it. A picture of the Victory Stupa is made on its top end, while the picture of half a dorje is made at its base. Relics, medicine and mantras are palced inside holes at the top and at the base of the Sog Shing, then it is wrapped in expensive materials and placed on the base culminating up to the highest point of the stupa.

Relics placed into the stupa are:
–    tsa tsa’s,
–    relic of a Buddha,
–    piece of a Buddha’s robe,
–    a white grain of a Buddha’s bone,
–    a Mantra relic, including the 84,000 teachings of the Buddha and their commentaries.

Upon completion of the stupa, a blessing puja is being performed during a gathering of the Sangha and lay people

STUPAS –THE HISTORY

The word “stupa” comes from the Sanskrit language and means “heap”.
It describes a mount built over the container of Buddhist relics.
Other words for stupa are “chorten” in Tibet (meaning the basis of offering) and “chedi” in Myanmar and Thailand.

A stupa is the symbolic representation of the enlightened mind of a Buddha.

It is said that after Buddha Shakyamuni passed away, his body was cremated and ten stupas were built, eight of them over his ashes, one over the urn, and one over the embers.

During the third century BC, the emperor Asoka who converted to Buddhism had these stupas opened and the remains distributed between many more new stupas that were built during his reign.
The location of these ten original stupas has never been found to this day.

Asoka is sadi to have had 84,000 stupas erected all over South East Asia

In Sri Lanka, stupas were built following king Devanampiyatissa conversion to Budddhism.
One of them, the Jetavanarama is one of the tallest ancient structure in the world.
The stupas built in Sri lanka benefitted from the best engineering of their days, with the use if such features as lightning protectors.

Stupas were to become a main feature to be found in Buddhist countries from the area of Pakistan all the way to China and Japan where they took the form of pagodas.

The oldest known stupa is the Dhamek Stupa at Samath, India and the tallest is the Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, culminating at 127 meters in height.

The erection of a stupa must be done following the instructions from a Buddhist monk.

Every stupa contains one or more holy object, it may be a relic, it may be holy images, rolled mantras or even nowadays thumb drives filled with holy images. The entire space within the stupa is filled with holy items of this kind.

Small stupas placed on home altars may also contains holy pills that are said to multiply if the person worshipping at the altar conducts a very clean samaya with his Guru.
Jewellery and other precious items may be placed inside a stupa as offerings.
It is said that the more holy images there is in a stupa the more the blessing.

STUPAS –THE EIGHT TYPES

The Tibetan Buddhism has eight characteristic types of stupas that are each referring to an important event in the life of the Buddha.

1.    The Lotus Blossom Stupa
This Stupa commemorates to the birth of Buddha. It is said that at birth Buddha took seven steps in each of the four cardinal directions, and in each direction lotuses sprang up, symbolizing the Four Immeasurables; of love, compassion, joy and equanimity.

The four steps of the basis of this stupa are circular, and are decorated with lotus-petal designs.
Occasionally, seven heaped lotus steps are constructed. These refer to the seven first steps of the Buddha.

2.    The Enlightenment Stupa
This Stupa symbolizes the 35-year-old Buddha’s attaining enlightenment under the bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, where he conquered worldly temptations and attacks sent to Him by Mara.

3.    The Stupa of Many Doors
This Stupa refers to the place where Buddha taught his first students in a deer-park near Sarnath after gaining enlightenment. The series of doors on each side of the steps represent the first teachings: the Four Noble Truths, the Six Perfections, the Noble Eightfold Path and the Twelve Links in the Chain of Dependent Origination.

4.    The Stupa of Descent from the God Realm
This Stupa celebrates the time when at 42 years old, Buddha spent a summer retreat in Tushita Heaven, where his mother had taken rebirth. In order to repay her kindness he taught the Dharma to her reincarnation. Local inhabitants built a stupa like this in in order to commemorate this event.

This stupa is characterized by having a central projection at each side containing a triple ladder or steps.

5.    The Stupa of Great Miracles
This Stupa refers to various miracles performed by the Buddha when he was 50 years old.
Legend claims that he overpowered “maras” and heretics by engaging them in intellectual arguments and also by performing miracles. This stupa was raised by the Lichavi kingdom to commemorate the event.

6.    The Stupa of Reconciliation
This Stupa commemorates the Buddha’s resolution of a dispute among the sangha. A stupa in this design was built in the kingdom of Magadha, where the reconciliation occurred. It has four octagonal steps with equal sides.

7.    The Stupa of Complete Victory
This Stupa commemorates Buddha’s successful prolonging of his life by three months. It has only three steps, which are circular and unadorned

8.    The Stupa of Nirvana
This Stupa refers to the death of the Buddha, when he was 80 years old. It symbolizes the Buddha’s complete absorption into the highest state of mind. It is bell-shaped and usually not ornamented.[5]

9.    The Kalachakra Stupa
There is a 9th kind of stupa: the Kalachakra stupa. Its symbolism is not connected to events in the Buddha’s life, but instead to the symbolism of the”Kalachakra Tantra”.

The Eight Great Stupas

STUPAS –ATISHA

1.    Atisha most prized possession was a small stupa he would carry araound with him everywhere.
2.    Atisha carried the stupa around to remind him of what he wanted to achieve: the enlightened mind of a Buddha.
3.    Atisha’s stupa contained primarily holy relics.
4.    The stupa and its content was important to Atisha because of what it represented.
5.    The teaching that most moved Atisha was the Realisation of Boddhicitta taught to him by  Dharmakirti.
6.    Atisha got this precious teaching from Sumatra where he studied under Dharmakirti..
7.    Atisha originated from East Bengal.
8.    Atisha main Yidam is Tara.
9.    Lord Tsongkhapa was indeed influence by the great Master Atisha because the Lamrim Chenmo was based on The Lamp for the Path of Enlightenment.

STUPAS –WEBSITEES REFERENCES

The above was written from information found in the following web-sites:

http://dbc.dharmakara.net/trt2-963.html

http://www.stupa.org/stupas.htm

http://www.khordong.de/Engl/India/stupa_info.html

http://www.stupa.org.nz/stupa/benefit.htm

http://www.chenrezig.com.au/content/view/188/272/

http://www.peacestupa.org/the_benefits_of_stupas.html

http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/en/archives/approaching_buddhism/teachers/lineage_masters/life_atisha.html

STUPAS –PICTURES

 Ruwanweliseya, or the “Great Stupa” stands at 300 feet, it is the oldest but smallest of the three largest brick structures in the world. It is decorated with coral originating from the Mediterranean sea and brought back by an emissary of the Sri Lankan king who was received in an audience by the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus. The stupa was built by King Duttugamunu. This design was to be repeated in Thailand, Burma, and other countries South-Asian countries Sri-Lankan monks went to teach Buddhism.

Funerary stupas in Thailand.

Emperor Asoka (273-236 BC) had many stupas built. This stupa in Sanchi is listed by the UNESCO as one of the heritage sites of the world.

Boudhanat, Located about 11 km from the center and northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu, the stupa’s massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal

KuKuthodaw Pagoda literally meaning “Royal Merit” is located in Mandalay,Burma(Myanmar), and contains the world’s largest book. It is gilded above its terraces, is 57m high. In the grounds of the pagoda are 729 stone-inscription caves, each containing a marble slab inscribed on both sides with a page from the Tipitaka.

The Flower Pagoda in Qinghua Temple is to the south of Mountain Gate of Qinghua Temple, in the Laishui County of the Hebei Province of China.

Borobudur was built in the 9th century during the reign of the Sailendra Dynasty. The monument is a place for Buddhist pilgrimage and is listed by the UNESCO as one of the heritage sites of the world.

The Kagyu Samye Ling Stupa is built at the Kagyu Samye Ling Monastery and Tibetan Centre at Eskdalemuir in the Scottish Borders.

This red chorten is erected in the Samye Monastery and is the first Buddhist monastery built in Tibet, between 775 and 779 AD under the patronage of King Trisong Detsen of Tibet
It is also notable as the site of the “Great Debate” (792-794) between the Indian Mahayanists and Chinese Chán Buddhists.

ARTICLE 2
by JP

What is a Stupa?

STUPAS existed in India as burial grounds in mounds of dirt for important people such as rulers and heroes before Shakyamuni Buddha was born.

Stupa at Sanchi, Central India. Built centuries before Shakymuni Buddha.

Stupas in Buddhism

IN Buddhism, building stupas is a very powerful way of purifying one’s negative karma and obscurations. Before Buddha went into Parinirvana, he instructed his disciples to keep his ashes in stupas to commemorate his 8 Great Deeds and also to house holy relics.  When a great being passes on, their physical body is gone. However, their mind is still unchanging, in dharmakaya. The stupa symbolises the mind of all Buddhas.

1.     The Stupa of Heaped Lotuses, symbolizes Buddha’s birth and the seven steps he took in each of the four cardinal directions.

2.     The Stupa of Enlightenment, symbolizes Buddha’s enlightenment at Bodhgaya.

3.    The Stupa of the Turning Wheel, symbolizes the Wheel of Dharma turning for the first time.

4.    The Stupa of Miracles, refers to Buddha performing miracles to convince people with wrongful views.

5.    The Stupa of Descent, symbolizes Buddha descending from Tushita Heaven where he gave teachings to his mother.

6.    The Stupa of Reconciliation, symbolizes when Buddha brought reconciliation to the Buddhist practitioners after problems were created by his cousin Devadatta.

7.    The Stupa of Victory, symbolizes when Buddha prolonged his life for three     months upon request by his students.

8.    The Stupa of Nirvana, symbolizes Buddha’s attainment of Parinirvana.

Symbolism of a Stupa

THE shape of the stupa represents the Buddha with a crown, sitting in meditation posture on throne.  The stupa also symbolizes the five elements, colours and their relationship to the Enlightened Mind:
•    Base         Square         Yellow          Earth      Equanimity
•    Dome      Circle           White           Water     Indestructibility
•    Spire        Triangle      Red               Fire        Compassion
•    Parasol    Half Circle  Green           Wind     All Accomplishing Action
•    Jewel        Dewdrop    No colour    Space     All Pervading Awareness

Sections of the Stupa symbolize the Path to Enlightenment

From the bottom up:

1.    The three steps at the base, the Throne:
The three refuges of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha

2.    The four steps below the Bumpa, or dome (where the legs of the Buddha are): the Four Immeasurables of loving kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity.

3.    The Bumpa (where the Buddha’s chest is):
The Seven Elements of Enlightenment: mindfulness, discrimination, exertion, joy, pliancy, samadhi, equanimity

4.    The Harmika, just below the spire:
Eyes of the Buddha signifying the 8-fold Noble Path of Right View, understanding, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness and Samadhi

5.    The Spire, or 13 rings:
The ten levels of the Mahayana path and the three highest stages of the Vajrayana path.

6.    The Parasol:
Compassion

7.    Jewel/Sun/Moon:
Enlightenment, Wisdom, Bodhicitta

Benefits of Stupas

BUILDING a Stupa is a very powerful way to purify negative karma and obscurations, and to accumulate extensive merit. As a result, you can have realisations of the path to Enlightenment.
Some of the benefits of building stupas are:
•    You will not be reborn in the 3 lower realms but will be born as a King or child of a King or in a wealthy and powerful family.
•    You will have a noble body with perfect senses and a beautiful body.
•    You will be powerful and famous.
•    You will be able to remember past lives and see future lives.
•    You will be able to listen to the Dharma and not forget.
•    You will take rebirth in the 3 higher realms.
•    You can heal serious diseases and have long life.
•    You will quickly attain Enlightenment.
•    For those who have passed away, it will immediately change a negative rebirth into a good rebirth with the opportunity to meet the Dharma.

Different Styles of Stupas

JP’s answers for the questions about Atisha

1. What was the most prized possession he had?
A stupa

2. Why did he carry the stupa around?
To purify any nonvirtues  in front of the stupa.

3. What did the stupa primarily contain?
His guru’s ashes.

4. Why was this stupa and it’s contents so important?
It was important because the stupa contained his guru’s ashes.

5. Where did he get the holy contents of this stupa?
From sumatra.

6. Out of all the teachings he received, which teaching moved and changed Atisha the most hence he carried this precious item with him in the stupa as a blessing and high regard he held these teachings? What was the item? What was the teaching?
The teaching of lojong. He carried the stupa.

7. From what country did Atisha get these teachings from?
Sumatra, Indonesia

8. What country did Atisha originate from?
Modern day Bangladesh.

9. What was Atisha’s main Yidam?
Tara

10. Did the incomparable Lord Tsongakapa get influenced by this great master Atisha?
Yes. The entire Gelug teachings was based on Atisha’s teachings.

 ARTICLE 3
by Pastor Ngeow

What is a Stupa?

The best general description for it would be – a spiritual monument. A stupa has two symbolic meaning . It is about enlightenment and also the path to achieve it through realizing one’s own mind. Hence it is a symbol of the enlightened mind of the Buddhas.

Stupas continued to be erected in Buddhist temple grounds and places of enlightenment due to its  power to bless , plant seeds and trigger awakening and insight in the minds of those who gaze upon it, circumnambulate or touch it.

Stupas can stand alone as a single structure or as complex as the 8th century Borobudur monument in Java, Indonesia which is also the largest of its kind in the world . During the reign of Asokha, the buddhist king commissioned  thousands of  stupas all over the Southern region of  Asia. In all, 84,000 were built  to commemorate the 84,000 teachings of Buddha.

This was the golden age of Buddhism when the Buddha’s teachings achieved the widest reach. As the teachings spread east, the form of the stupa evolved into the pagoda structure especially popular in China, the greatest and most advanced nation during that period. The pagodas also come in various functions and designs which can be bell shaped or pyramidal . Generally , one can identify a stupa built in the traditional shape as a Buddhist structure of India , Nepal , Sri Lanka or South East Asia for purpose of worship . A pagoda structure nowadays is more like a building with the highest floors reserved for spiritual worship and the lower floors and ground floor , for secular purposes.

History of Stupas

The first stupas were made after the passing of the historical Buddha to contain his relics or remains after cremation.  They were built from earth mounds of mud or clay to house the remains. Later, the ashes and  remains from his cremation were divided into 8 parts from which 8 stupas were built to contain them . Two additional  stupas were erected to house the the urn and the embers. There is little record as to the exact location of these original stupas.

According to Buddhist records, in the third century BC, the King Asoka had the original stupas opened and the remains distributed among the thousands of  stupas he had built. This was a significant and kind act as it enabled the laity  and common people to have access to these holy structures to generate faith , and to offer prayers wherever they are all over the country.  From then onwards, The significance of the stupa changed from being a mere funerary monument to become  an object of prayers, veneration and blessings .

Types of stupas

There are  five types classified based on shape  and function.

•    Relic stupa –  contains relics or remains of the Buddha, his disciples and lay realised masters . They can be bone fragments, hair, sharira crystals, teeth etc

•    Object stupa – contains objects used by Buddha or his disciples eg begging bowl , robes , or sacred  Buddhist scriptures/text. In Tibetan tradition, statues, thangkas, mala beads, vajra & bell, damaru used by the masters  are included.

•    Commemorative stupas – for commemorating auspicious  or significant events during the Buddha’s or his disciples’ lifetime. This includes events celebrated by different traditions such as Wesak, Monlam festival, Quan Yin Day, Lama Tsongkhapa Day, Guru Rinpoche day etc.

•    Symbolic stupa- to symbolise aspects of Buddhist concepts/philosophy

•    Votive stupas – to commemorate visits of various acknowledged Buddhist masters or dignitaries/major supporters of Buddhism . They are usually built  at the site of prominent stupas.

A Stupa can be identified by noting the following ;

a)    its 4 main parts/features
b)    its symbolism to a  buddha’s form
c)    its representation of the 5 purified elements

The 4 main parts of a stupa

•    Harmika- apex .
•    Medhi- path circulating around the stupa
•    Toran- gateway to the stupa.
•    Vedica-the railing that protects the holy place.

Symbolism to Buddha’s form body

The stupa’s overall shape is also  representative of the  Buddha sitting in meditation on a lion throne.

The distinctive parts of the stupa have following symbolism:

Top of spire – buddha’s crown

Spire’s square base – Buddha’s head

Vase shape  – buddha’s body

4 step of the lower terraced platform – Buddha’s legs

base platform – lion throne

Representation of Five purified elements

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

Construction

Only a qualified Buddhist sangha /master who knows the significance of a stupa and its symbolism ,rituals and prayers can build and consecrate a stupa. The type of stupa chosen is normally directly connected with events that have taken place in the area.

The treasury

All stupas contain a treasury filled with various objects. Small offerings called tsa tsas fill a major part of the treasury. Creation of various types of tsa-tsas is a ceremony itself. They are traditionally made from wooden moulds. Mantras written on paper are rolled into thin rolls, and put into these small clay stupas. The filling process involve placing one layer of Tsa-Tsas, and subsequently the empty space between is filled with dry sand before another layer is made and so on  until the treasury is packed fully.

Depending on the size of the treasury or tsa tsas, the number of tsa-tsas can number tens or hundreds of thousands to fill completely. Jewellery and other “precious” objects are also often included. It is believed that the more objects with holy or virtuous symbolism  placed into the stupa, the stronger will be the energy and blessing power of the Stupa.

 Tree of Life

A very important element in every Stupa is the Tree of Life. It is a timber pole decorated with semi precious stones and gems and thousands of mantras. This pole is then carefully and precisely placed in the central channel of the stupa in conjunction with  a blessing  ceremony or initiation, where devotees hold colorful ribbons attached  to the Tree of Life.The ritual masters , ordained sangha ,devotees collectively recite prayers and dedications. In this way the stupa is energized up, and function to bestow blessing energy to the faithful.

Benefits ( from seeing, touching, circumnambulating , building or praying to it )

1.     deposit positive karmic imprints in the mind.

2.     gain fortunate rebirths.

3.     Temporary benefits

–    being born into wealthy  family, having beautiful body, a nice voice which can command attention and influence others, beauty and  attractive form which can bestow joy to others and having a long and happy life, in which one’s wishes are fulfilled quickly.

4.     Ultimate benefit
–    quickly gain liberstion and enlightenment.

Destroying a stupa on the other hand, will incur heavy negative karma, similar to killing, leading to lower realms rebirth.

The Eight great stupas according to Tibetan tradition

Each of the stupas commemorate  the major events in the Buddha’s life.

Lotus Blossom Stupa

Commemoration of Buddha’s birth

Alternate name : Stupa of Heaped Lotuses

At birth Buddha took seven steps in each of the four cardinal directions” (East, South, West and North). In each direction lotuses sprang, symbolizing the Four Immeasurables: love, compassion, joy and equanimity. The four steps are symbolized by  the round base which has lotus-petal designs. There are also Stupas designed with  seven heaped lotus steps refering to the first seven steps the golden child Buddha took .

Enlightenment Stupa

Commemoration of Buddha’s enlightenment

Alternate name : Stupa of the Conquest of Mara.

At the age  of 35 years, Prince Siddharta , entered meditation and  attained enlightenment under the bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, where he defeated the maras which were his inner delusions and dispelled his ignorance.

Stupa of Many Doors

Commemoration of 1st turning of Wheel of Dharma.

Alternate name :  Stupa of Many Gates.

After enlightenment, Buddha went to a deer-park near Sarnath where he gave his first teachings on the 4 Noble Truths to 5 disciples.

The series of doors on each side of the steps represent:
a) 4 Noble Truths
b) Six Perfections to enlightenement
c) Eight fold Path to Liberation
d) 12 dependent links of human existence

Stupa of Descent from the God Realm

Commemoration of Buddha’s teachings to his mother in Tushita heaven 

Buddha repayed her mother’s kindness by teaching dharma to her mother who was reborn in Tushita . She was liberated after receiving the dharma.

A feature of this stupa is its central projection which has a triple ladder or steps by each of its side.

Stupa of Great Miracles

Commemoration of victory over the maras.

Alternative name : Stupa of Conquest of the Tirthikas.

Buddha overcome all the 4 maras  of delusion, namely : the maras of delusions, 4 aggregates, death and devaputra maras by using his powers of clairvoyance, miraculous skills and philosophical debate .

Stupa of Reconciliation

Commemoration of  the Buddha’s settlement of a dispute among the sangha.

This stupa has  four octagonal steps with equal sides. The settlement which prevented a potential schism amongst the spiritual community took place in the kingdom of Magadha where the stupa was built.

Stupa of Complete Victory

Commemoration of Buddha’s extension of his life.

This stupa has only three steps, which are circular and without ornaments . They symbolize the 3 months of his extended life.

Stupa of Nirvana

Commemoration of  the parinirvana  of the Buddha

At  80 years old, Buddha entered parinirvana , the  complete absorption into the highest state of mind which is inconceivable by ordinary people. The stupa built to symbolize this event  is bell-shaped and not usually ornamented.

ARTICLE 4
by Yap Yoke Fui

What is a stupa ?

In Tibetan,  Stupa is called Chorten, which means – the basis of offering. It is a symbol of enlightened mind and the path to its realization.

The stupa represents the Buddha’s body, speech and mind, but especially the enlightened  mind .

The shape of the stupa represents the Buddha, crowned and sitting in meditation posture on a lion throne. The top of the spire represents his crown; his head is the square at the spire’s base; his body is the vase shape; his legs are the four steps of the lower terraces, and the base is his throne.

The Stupa also symbolizes the five elements and their relationship to enlightened mind. It is a mandala containing all these perfect qualities, the essential attributes of a fully realized human being :
•    Equanimity – represented at the base of the stupa as earth
•    Indestructibility – represented by the dome as the water element ;
•    Compassion – represented by the spire as the fire element;
•    Perfect skills – represented above the spire as the wind element;
•    Omniscience – at the very top represented by the jewel as pervading space .

The Benefits of Stupas

According to the great Mahasiddha, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche :

“ 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.”

It is considered as extremely beneficial to build a stupa at least once in one’s life time. The action or deed will leave very positive karmic imprints in the mind. Future benefits from this action will result in fortunate rebirths endowed with fortunate worldly benefits such as being born into a rich family, having a beautiful body, a nice voice, and being attractive and bringing joy to others and having a long and happy life, one’s wishes are fulfilled quickly. On the absolute level, one will also be able to reach enlightenment quickly, the goal of Buddhism.

Destroying a stupa on the other hand, will produce the direct opposite results of all the above benefits. Such an action will create powerful negative karmic potentialities, leading to massive future problems. It is said this action will leave the mind in a state of paranoia after death, leading directly to unfortunate rebirths.

Types of stupas

Built for a variety of reasons, Buddhist stupas are classified based on form and function into five types:

•    Relic stupa – in which the relics or remains of the Buddha, his disciples and lay saints are interred.
•    Object stupa – in which the items interred are objects belonged to the Buddha or his disciples such as a begging bowl or robe, or important Buddhist scriptures.
•    Commemorative stupas – built to commemorate events in the lives of Buddha or his disciples.
•    Symbolic stupa- to symbolise aspects of Buddhist theology, for example, Borobuddur is considered to be the symbol of “the Three Worlds (dhatu) and the spiritual stges (bhumi) in a Mahayana bodhisattva’s character.”
•    Votive stupas – constructed to commemorate visits or to gain spiritual benefits, usually at the site of prominent stupas which are regularly visited.

General contents in the Stupas

All stupas contain a treasury filled with various objects. Small offerings called Tsa Tsa fill a major part of the treasury. The treasury is filled alternately with one layer of Tsa-Tsas  and one layer of dry sand until the entire space of a treasury is full.

It is not necessary to have expensive jewelry since it is the symbolic value that is important, not the market price. It is believed that the more objects placed into the stupa, the stronger the energy of the Stupa will be.

A very important element in every Stupa is the Tree of Life. It is a wooden pole covered with gems and thousands of mantras, and placed in the central channel of the stupa.  During a ceremony when the Tree of Life is placed, the participants hold colorful ribbons connected to the Tree of Life. Together the participants make their most positive and powerful wishes, which are stored in the Tree of Life. In this way the stupa is charged up, and will start to function.

Example of Commemorative Stupas :

The Eight Great Stupas

• Lotus Blossom Stupa

Also known as Stupa of Heaped Lotuses or Birth of the Sugata Stupa, this stupa refers to the birth of the Buddha. Buddha took seven steps immediately after birth in each of the four directions (East, South, West and North). In each direction lotuses sprang, symbolizing the Four Immeasurables: love, compassion, joy and equanimity. The four steps of the basis of this stupa is circular, and it is decorated with lotus-petal designs. Occasionally, seven heaped lotus steps are constructed. These refer to the seven first steps of the Buddha.

• Enlightenment Stupa

Also known as the Stupa of the Conquest of Mara. This stupa symbolizes Buddha’s attainment of enlightenment under the bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, where he conquered worldly temptations and attacks manifesting in the form of Mara.

• Stupa of Many Doors

Also known as the Stupa of Many Gates. After reaching enlightenment, the Buddha taught his first students in a deer-park near Sarnath. The series of doors on each side of the steps represent the first teachings: the Four Noble Truths, the Six Perfections, the Noble Eightfold Path and the Twelve Links in the Chain of Dependent Origination.

• Stupa of Descent from the God Realm

At 42 years old, Buddha spent a summer retreat in Tushita Heaven, where his mother had taken rebirth. In order to repay her kindness he taught the dharma to her reincarnation. Local inhabitants built a stupa like this in Sankasya in order to commemorate this event. This stupa is characterized by having a central projection at each side containing a triple ladder or steps

• Stupa of Great Miracles

Also known as Stupa of Conquest of the Tirthikas. This stupa refers to various miracles performed by the Buddha when he was 50 years old. Legend claims that he overpowered maras and heretics by engaging them in intellectual arguments and also by performing miracles. This stupa was raised by the Lichavi kingdom to commemorate the event

• Stupa of Reconciliation

This stupa commemorates the Buddha’s resolution of a dispute among the sangha. A stupa in this design was built in the kingdom of Magadha, where the reconciliation occurred. It has four octagonal steps with equal sides.

• Stupa of Complete Victory

This stupa commemorates Buddha’s successful prolonging of his life by three months. It has only three steps, which are circular and unadorned

• Stupa of Nirvana

This stupa refers to the death of the Buddha, when he was 80 years old. It symbolizes the Buddha’s complete absorption into the highest state of mind. It is bell-shaped and usually not ornamented

Example of Votive Stupas :

• Kalachakra stupa

The Kalachakra stupa is not connected to events in the Buddha’s life, but instead to the symbolism of the Kalachakra Tantra, created to protect against negative energies.

The History of Stupas and Pictures

Taxila, Sanskrit Takshashila,  ancient city of northwestern Pakistan. Its prosperity in ancient times resulted from its position at the junction of three great trade routes: one from eastern India, described by the Greek writer Megasthenes as the “Royal Highway”; the second from western Asia; and the third from Kashmir and Central Asia. When these routes ceased to be important, the city sank into insignificance and was finally destroyed by the Huns in the 5th century . Taxila was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1980.

The Great Stupa at Sanchi, India established by Asoka the Great ( 4th-1st Century BC)

Dhamek Stupa in Sarnath, northeastern India is the oldest Stupa in existence.

Stupa surrounded by four lion-crowned pillars. Gandhara, 2nd century AD.

 Swayambhunath, also known as Monkey Temple, is an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.

Boudhanath is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.

Ruwanwelisaya Chedi in the sacred city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Jetavanaramaya stupa in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka is the largest brick structure in the world.

The main Stupa crowning Borobudur, the largest Buddhist structure in the world, Java, Indonesia.

The Great Stupa at Shambhala Mountain Center, Colorado, USA

Khmer style stupa within the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar.

Phra Sri Ratana Chedi within Wat Phra Kaeo, in Bangkok, Thailand.

White Dagoba Temple (Baita Si), also called Miaoying Si, in Beijing, China.

Stupa in Gotemba, Shizuoka City, Japan.

Stupa at near Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet.

Stupa in Quaid-i-Azam University Campus in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Why do Stupas ?

Kechara World Peace Centre and Kechara Forest Retreat, are projects undertaken with the goal of bringing stability to the region and benefits to the people. Therefore we would like to build stupas for the same reasons as why so many stupas had been built all over the world :
1)    On a spiritual level, to plant the seed of enlightenment in the minds of all who lay eyes on the symbol of the enlightened mind.

2)    On a mundane level, to bestow fortunate worldly benefits such as being born into a rich family, having a beautiful body, a nice voice, and being attractive and bringing joy to others and having a long and happy life.

ARTICLE 5
by Matthew Leong

Stupas

What Are Stupas?
Symbols of Enlightenment

“Stupas began in pre-Buddhist India as hemispherical burial grounds that marked the remains of temporal rulers.  At an early stage in the development of Buddhist art, they became symbols of the Buddha’s continuing immanence as well as representations of his Mind…..”  Robert Thurman/Denise Leidy “Mandala, The Architecture of Enlightenment”.

Because every element of a Buddha’s physical body is pervaded with the pure energy of Enlightened Mind, the teacher’s remains after cremation are considered sacred.  One sign that a teacher is an Enlightened manifestation is that relics will be found in the ashes that resemble small, round pearls which can be white, red, or brown.  These are often the relics that are put inside stupas being built today.The story of the stupa began in India before the birth of Buddha Shakyamuni where mounds of dirt were built around a tree as a tomb for the remains of important figures such as kings and heroes. It’s said that the Buddha was the one who changed that practice when he asked that his own remains be placed in eight different locations within stupas that would represent the Awakened Nature, as a reminder of the potential for enlightenment within us all. The Stupa became a symbol of the Buddha; of his final release from the cycle of birth and rebirth. (Parinirvana the Final Dying)

Benefits of a Stupa

(1) One will be reborn In a royal family.
(2) One will get a beautiful body.
(3) One’s speech will be entrancing.
(4) One’s mere sight will be a great joy for the others.
(5) One will have a charming and attractive personality.
(6) One will be erudite In the five sciences.
(7) One will become a support (an example for all).
(8) One will be praised from all directions.
(9) One will be Inclined to sounds and words of Dharma.
(10) One will live only with happiness.
(11) One will be venerated both by men and.gods.
(12) One will obtain great riches.
(13) One will be granted a long life.
(14) All one’s wishes will be fulfilled.
(15) One’s beneficial activity and wisdom will only grow.
(16) One’s body will become as indestructible as the Dorje.
(17) One will be reborn In the higher realms or existence.
(18) One will reach quickly perfect Awakening.

8 Great Deeds

Since Shakyamuni Buddha’s passing, the stupas that have been built are representations of his form and memorials of his 8 Great Deeds. The structures are constructed according to guidelines found in Buddhist scripture that he left for us. Many stupas today are built on these representations.

After the Buddha took his last breath, and his body cremated, his ashes were divided into eight parts.  Eventually, in order to share the blessings with the community, the kings and princes who were the caretakers of the relics built stupas to house them.  Of the ancient stupas still intact today, most are said to contain relics of Shakyamuni Buddha.
Stupas can contain:
•    Relics of Buddha’s
•    Relics of High monks
•    Relics of attained masters
•    Sutras
•    Mantras
•    Multiple images of Buddha’s such as statues/tsatsas/pictures/paintings/precious items
•    Wealth vases
•    Blessed items like from sand mandalas
•    Even consecrated bones/nail/hair of ordinary beings/animals can be placed inside…this would generate great merits for the deceased in their future rebirths. And stupas can come in all sizes from one inch to one story or anything.

Examples of great Stupas

Sanchi Stupa

This Great stupa is located 30 miles northeast of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, India. It’s one of India’s oldest surviving Buddhist monuments and gets almost 80,000 visitors a year even though it’s remote.

This poor stupa suffered a lot of damage by treasure-hunters, who almost destroyed it over the years, but had a major renovation around 1912 headed by Sir John Marshall, an Englishman part of the Archaeological Survey of India.  The stupa is graced by beautiful carvings that illustrate the Lotus or Elephant, which represents the Buddha’s birth, a tree, which  signifies his enlightenment, and wheels, signifying the wheel of dharma or the first teaching given by Buddha Shakyamuni.

Swayambhunath Stupa

The great Swayambhunath Stupa is west of Kathmandu on a hill that is a perfect setting for this ancient stupa. Many temples were destroyed between 1355 and 1934; this is one of the most important structures that survived.

The powerful Stupa has been an important refuge for Buddhist and other pilgrims from all over the world. Some consider it the most powerful shrine in the Himalayas even today.
The name means “self-created self- existent Buddha, and the myth of its creation is one with the story of the Valley of Kathmandu. It tells the story of the primordial Buddha’s enlightenment and the spread of Buddhism in Nepal.          

Boudhanath Stupa

The Boudhanath Stupa is a 36 meter high stupa located in Nepal, and is considered the largest stupa in South Asia. It was renovated by LIcchavi rulers in the eighth century, and the mandala design is a copy of the one in Gyangtse, Tibet.

Located on the ancient trade route to Tibet, Tibetan merchants often rested in its shadows, and offered prayers here for centuries. When refugees began to flee Tibet, many came here to Nepal and decided to stay, creating what is now known as “Little Tibet”.

It’s said that the remains of a Kasyap sage revered by both Buddhists and Hindus resides inside the stupa. Smaller stupas surround it, along with monasteries, curio shops and restaurants. It’s become a destination place for thousands of world travelers each year.         

ARTICLE 6
by Doreen Teoh

Stupas

May 1, 2012

Dear Rinpoche,
After reading and researching on stupas, I have come to understand and realise the greatness of “building stupa.  It is so blessed that Kechara is building a chö.ten (in tibetan), “the basis of offering”in Chamang with the guidance and blessing of Rinpoche.  I can imagine the tremendous benefits by building a stupas at Chamang.

Thank you for putting on this assignment write up for me to do, as with my deluded mind and interferences in samsaric, I am able to gain and understand the significant and greatness of “STUPA”. I will still rejoice if I am not chosen to join the project, as I have already gain the knowledge and understandings of stupas. By doing this write up, I can share the greatness of stupa with everyone.
As the benefits that a sentient beings could attain is beyond ones’s  imagination and thoughts.   Purify Karma and obscurations, and accumulation of extensive merits are just the few benefits that one beings can attain.

“Because a stupa is built in the open air many beings, human and non-human, will go around it and thus many will benefit.”

Commitments and right motivation are the most important qualities that one should have in order to be involved, as the importance of the stupa is is immeasurable and priceless.

Building a stupa at this degeneration age, which is present moment where it is difficult for people to practise Dharma, and due to factors of negatives forces and interferences, we are not able to practise as we could like. What conducive factors will be needed to ward-off and pacify all these negative forces?”

The Buddha explained that five factors would be needed. If these five factors were present, people would be free of interference from negative forces and they would live long. As well, these five factors would gradually contribute to the practitioners’ attainment of enlightenment.

The first factor is to give Dharma constantly with the intention of helping others.

The second factor is constantly to give sentient beings a sense of security, or freedom from fear. This means to constantly save beings whose lives are at risk, and provide them with security and peace of mind.

The third factor is constantly to reflect on the four types of immeasurable.

The fourth factor is constantly to repair old stupas or to commission or construct new stupas.

The fifth factor is constantly to maintain the mind of enlightenment, Bodhicitta, the universal altruism to want to achieve the state of enlight-enment for the sake of all sentient beings. One needs to maintain this in one’s mind all the time.

Of the five factors the Buddha spelt out, one is repairing old stupas and making new ones. If one is able to do that it will bring a lot of benefit to oneself and others in the future.

How to build a stupas

The process of building stupas, being involved have already create a a tremendous merits to the workers and also to have a pure mind and right  motivation in order to build stupas.  It is an important as the stupas represents the holy mind of Buddha, and each part of the stupas shows the path to enlightenment. With realisation of the path to Enlightenment and be able to do perfect work to liberate suffering beings, leading them to the peerless happiness of Enlightenment, which is the ultimate goal of our life.

The Stupa base is square, and it is called Lion’s Seat whose four sides refer to the four qualities of mind basic to the attainment of enlightenment, which is  Love, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity. This base is then traditionally filled with jewels, precious texts and relics pertaining to the tradition of Stupa building. On the Lion’s Seat there are then built five steps which are representative of the progress of the mind towards enlightenment. Each step can be divided into two and alludes to the ten levels of Bodisattva realisation.

A rounded form built on top of the steps called the Bumpa is  representative of the seventeen levels of the Realm of Form.  If the Bumpa is small, it shall be filled with precious item and pure representations of Buddha Mind.  If it is as large as a room it can be used for meditation and puja.

Out of the Bumpa a spire forms and on top of that sit ornaments which together represent the four stages of the Formless Realm. In much the same way as the Stupa’s outer manifestation mirrors that of pure mind, so too must its inner contents. Great emphasis is placed on the consciousness with which the objects within its form are made. The tradition is very particular in the way it states exactly what should be placed inside and in what manner they must be crafted to ensure the utmost purity.

A central axis called the Sog Shing, meaning “Life Stick” is made, and is traditionally carved from Sandalwood or Juniper. However, if it is not possible to obtain these woods, the wood of any tree which does not bear poisonous fruit can be used.

Once the tree has been chosen, prayers and offerings are made to the Earth Spirits for permission to use it. A monk with full ordination vows must then craft the wood into a tapered shape and either carve or paint mantras over its surface. It is important that all materials used in this process are of the highest quality possible. At the tip of the Life Stick a picture of the Victory Stupa is made and at its base that of a half Dorje. Holes are made at the top and base and blessed relics, medicines and texts are placed inside.
The Life Stick is then wrapped in precious materials and is fixed in place on the Lion’s Seat. It is long enough to protrude to the Stupa’s highest point.
The Stupa is then filled with relics which symbolically pertain to the utmost purity of mind. It is said that if the Stupa itself is the representation of Buddhas’ body then the Relics are the life force which flows through it and, as such, are even more vital than its outer form.
The first relic, called the Dharma relic or Tsa Tsa is made to fill the Stupa. These are small clay models of Stupas which here at Samye Ling have been fashioned from local clay, again extracted from the earth after prayers and offerings were made. These can only be made by monks and nuns or lay people who have undergone the refuge ceremony and who have taken eight basic Buddhist vows for the day. Each Tsa Tsa is made with the recitation of specific mantras and a visualisation of the Buddha. A hole is made in the base of each model and inside this are placed rolled up prayer scrolls.
The second relic to be placed in the Stupa is a remnant of the body of the Buddha himself. Like the third and fourth specified relics, which are a piece of the Buddhas’ robe and a white grain of the Buddha’s bone respectively, these are rare and hard to come by. The great blessing that graces Samye Ling through the presence of its founder, Akong Tulku Rinpoche and Lama Phuntsok, the visiting Stupa Lama, means that these have been attained along with relics of the body of Guru Rinpoche, Tilopa, Marpa and His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa.

Finally the fifth relic specified to go inside the Stupa is the Mantra Relic. These include the eighty four thousand teachings of the Buddha along with the commentaries on his teachings by many of the realised beings who came after him. The Mantra Relic also includes the “Five Great Mantras for Stupas”.

Once the Stupa is complete and all the relics are in place, a blessing ceremony takes place. A gathering of many realised Lamas and Masters along with Sangha, Retreatants and Lay practitioners is arranged and prayers and blessings are made to complete the process of the building the Stupa. The Benefit of the Stupa emanates far and wide and is said to go on for Aeons. The positivity generated by such activity is impossible to measure. Liberation is said to be given by merely hearing about a Stupa, by touching it, by seeing it, by praying to it, by walking around it and by eating the offerings that are made to it. In the West Stupa building is an activity in its infancy, but one whose inspiration must surely touch us all.

The benefits of circumambulating a stupa

The extract below I  copied from the below teaching given by the Venerable Thupten Rinpoche at the Dhargyey Buddhist Centre, 5 May 1996. © Copyright Dhargyey Buddhist Centre, 1996.
I would like to share it as I felt so amazed, and full of enthusiasm, and  excitement when I read this story of benefits of circumambulating the stupa, as it will be such a great benefits to all the beings in Chamang even for the worms, crickets and all the animals, and beings in the Kechara Foreat Retreat (KFR).

There is another story that tells us about the benefits of circumambulating a stupa. There is no doubt that if someone makes or commissions a stupa and then makes offerings and circumambulates the stupa with faith and conviction in the power and the qualities of the Buddha and so on, that great benefit will accrue to that person. But even if someone were to accidentally, unintentionally, go around such a holy object, the benefits would still be great. This story is about a householder called Palchen, who lived during Buddha’s own time. He was an old man about a hundred years old, and as an old man he wasn’t able to work actively to contribute to the family. So his wife, his children and his household started to torment him, making his life a misery. He felt very sad and thought that the best thing for him now was to become a monk. He went to the Sangha community and asked permission to become a monk. To be a monk or a nun the applicant must have at least one merit that can become the basis for receiving the vows. The monks checked to see whether he had any merits, and after checking they thought that he had none. So the old man went to consult Shariputra and Maugalyayana, the great disciples of Buddha, known for their wisdom and psychic power. They checked with their clairvoyance to see whether this old monk had any merit accumulated from some distant past life. But they didn’t see any merit, and he was refused permission to be a monk.

Then the old man thought to himself: “I left home to become a monk because at home I was being tormented by all. Now at the monastery I’m being refused permission to become a monk.” He thought that there was nothing left for him except to die. So he went off to die, and the Buddha knew about it straight away. The Buddha sent Maugalyayana to fetch the old man and bring him to him. The old man was brought to the Buddha and Buddha gave him a word of encouragement, saying, “You do have some merit that you accumulated in an extraordinarily distant past life. It is so far back in the past that although Shariputra and Maugalyayana are Arhats with extrasensory perception, their extrasensory perception is not powerful enough to reach so far back into the past. However as a Buddha I see one merit for you.” The old man asked, “What kind of merit do I have?” The Buddha said, “You have a merit you unintentionally accumulated in the very distant past, at a time when you had been born as a worm in a cow-pat. This cow-pat was dry on the surface and soft inside, and you were able to live inside it. One day there was heavy rain and flooding in that area. Everything was washed away by the flood and your cow-pat house and you were washed down into the plains. Down there there was a stupa and around it was a shallow channel worn by the feet of the people who circumambulated it. The current of water from the flood ran into this channel and went round and round, and everything in the water also went round. Thus you unintentionally circumambulated the stupa at that time.”

With palms together,
Doreen Teoh

ARTICLE 7
by May Ong

What Is A Stupa

The Stupa is a symbolic representation of the Buddha’s mind of enlightenment or the perfection of wisdom and compassion. In ancient times, stupas are dome shaped structure holy monuments and the oldest form of ancient Buddhist architecture.

Legend had it that Buddha took his outer yellow robe and folded it in two and two until it formed a rough cube. Then he took out his round begging-bowl and turned it upside down, and put it on top of the robes. ‘Make the stupa like this,’ he said. Hence, till this day, the basic form of the stupa retains this dome structure.

Inside the stupa, it is filled with relics of holy beings and other holy objects. In Tibetan, a stupa is also named chö.ten which is “the basis of offering”, an ancient form of mandala to emanate blessings and peace.

It is said a stupa is a place where all the Buddhas are abiding. Beings who do not have the karma to see Buddha needs holy objects like statues, stupas and scriptures as a field for accumulating merits.

History

After the passing of Buddha, his remains were cremated, ashes divided and buried under 8 stupas in memorial of his 8 Great Deeds – birth, enlightenment, turning of the wheel, miracles, descent from Tushita Heaven, reconciliation of the Sangha, victory and Parinirvana.

Emperor Asoka built 84,000 stupas in his lifetime all over South East Asia. Originally, the stupas were funerary monument and it changed to being an object of veneration.

The ancient construction of stupas used advanced engineering techniques and knowledge, including the use of ‘lightning conductors’ and ‘special shelters, the reason why they stood undamaged for thousands of years.

It is believed one of the most ancient stupas in the world is the Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath, India, while the tallest is the Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, at a height of 127 metres.

The stupa later evolved into the pagoda as Buddhism spread to other Asian countries. Generally, stupa is used for a Buddhist structure in India or south-east Asia and pagoda refers to a building in east Asia which can be entered and which may be secular in purpose.

Types of stupas

Buddhist stupas are be classified into five types based on form and function:

Relic stupa is where the relics or remains of the Buddha, his students and lay practitioners are kept.

Object stupa is where objects that belonged to the Buddha or his students, like begging bowl, robe or important Buddhist scriptures are kept.

Commemorative stupas are built to commemorate events in the lives of a highly attained master or his students.

Symbolic stupa is to symbolise aspects of Buddhist theology, for example, Borobudur is considered to be the symbol of “the Three Worlds and the spiritual stages in a Mahayana bodhisattva’s traits.”

Votive stupas are constructed to commemorate visits, peace or to gain spiritual benefits, usually at the site of prominent stupas which are regularly visited.

Stupa Drawing

Features of a stupa

There are 4 basic features to a stupa. It has an oval shape on top of the stupa. The base is an elevated circular path around the stupa follow by the gateway and a railing meant for the protection of the holy place.

Symbolism

The shape of the stupa represents the Buddha, crowned and sitting in meditation posture on a lion throne. His crown is the top of the spire; his head is the square at the spire’s base; his body is the vase shape; his legs are the four steps of the lower terrace; and the base is his throne.

Five purified elements

The stupa may also 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 represent air
The sun and the dissolving point represent the element of space

Construction

Prior to building a stupa, a Buddhist monk has to give transmissions and ceremonies.

Contents In the Stupa

All stupas contain the following objects:-

Small tsa tsa
Mantras written on paper and rolled
Relics or clothing of highly attained Master
Jewellery
Hair
Nails
Mani pills
Prayer texts
Wealth Vase
Consecrated Buddha images

To fill up the stupa, a layer of tsa tsa are placed and the empty space between is filled with dry sand or incense and this process is repeated until it covered the entire space inside the stupa. It is believed that the more objects are placed inside the stupa, the stronger the energy of the Stupa will be.

Tree of Life

The Tree of Life is a wooden pole covered with gems and thousands of mantras and this is placed in the central channel of the stupa. This is a very important element in a stupa. Participants are to hold colorful ribbons connected to the Tree of Life and together make their most positive and powerful wishes to be stored in the Tree of Life. The stupa is charged up and start to function in this manner.

Benefits of Building A Stupa

“What would be more beneficial? To make a spiritual monument – a stupa – or make a statue of the Buddha or build a residence for the Sangha?”

Buddha answered “If that person were to make a small stupa the size of a Myrabolan fruit, and a statue of the Buddha the size of that fruit, making the stupa would be more beneficial because both the stupa and the statue represent the Buddha’s mind and body, and since a Buddha has limitless qualities, any worship, any offering made to these two miniatures would be more beneficial.

“In the distant future there will come a time when it will be very hard for people to practise Dharma. Due to the enormous number of negative forces and many types of interference they will not be able to practise as they would like.

Buddha said there have to be 5 factors for people to be free of interference from negative forces, live long and contribute to the practitioners’ attainment of enlightenment.

These are:-

To give Dharma constantly with the motivation to help others
To constantly save beings whose lives are at risk and provide them with peace of mind
To reflect on the four types of immeasurables
To constantly repair old stupas, commission or construct new stupas
To constantly to maintain the mind of enlightenment, Bodhicitta to achieve the state of enlightenment for the sake of all sentient

If anyone is able to make such a stupa, then make offerings and cirmumambulate it with faith and conviction, this person will gather as many merits as are collected by Kings of Gods like Indra and Brahma and will be reborn in the celestial abode or may be reborn in rich and powerful human families.

It is said if you have a statue, you need to have a temple to enclose it as well as organise other activities that are required to look after it all.

If a stupa is built in the open air, we do not need anyone to guard it and many beings, humans and non-humans, will go around it intentionally or unintentionally to gather merits anytime.

For immediate benefit, images of wealth deity will also go inside the stupa. Monks need to do a lot of rituals of consecration beforehand, requesting the spirit of the real wealth gods to come and be present in the diagrams in order to energize them. When such consecrated diagrams are put into the stupa it will be good for the land, good for the people, good for crops and for timely rainfall. These are some of the tangible benefits that one and all will share even in this life.

Building a stupa is considered extremely beneficial, leaving very positive karmic imprints in the mind. Future benefits from this action will result in fortunate rebirths, being born into a rich family, having a beautiful body, a nice voice, being attractive, bring joy to others and having a long and happy life, in which one’s wishes are fulfilled quickly. On the absolute level, one will also be able to reach enlightenment, the goal of Buddhism, quickly.

Destroying a stupa on the other hand, is considered an extremely negative deed, similar to killing. It is said this action will leave the mind in a state of paranoia after death has occurred, leading to totally unfortunate rebirths.

Stupa Gallery

The Great Stupa at Sanchi, India
Existed before the 1st Century in India established by Ashoka the great (4th–1st century BC).

The Great Stupa of Sanchi, built by Asoka, the Great is located 46 km north east of Bhopal, and 10 km from Besnagar and Vidisha in the central part of the state of Madhya Pradesh. The Sanchi Stupa is surrounded by a railing with four carved gateways facing all the four directions. There is an image of a Greek warrior guarding the gates. The gateways of Sanchi stupas contain ornamented depiction of incidents from the life of the Buddha and his previous incarnations.

Dhamek Stupa in Sarnath, northeastern India is the oldest Stupa in existence 

Buddha relics from Kanishka’s stupa in Peshawar, Pakistan. These surviving relics are now housed in Mandalay, Burma.

Boudhanath is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. 

The main Stupa crowning Borobudur, the largest Buddhist structure in the world, Java, Indonesia.

Phra Sri Ratana Chedi within Wat Phra Kaeo, in Bangkok, Thailand.

White Dagoba Temple (Baita Si), also called Miaoying Si, in Beijing, China.

Peace Pagoda

A Peace Pagoda is a Buddhist stupa designed to provide a focus for people of all races and creeds, and to help unite them in their search for world peace

Europe
Munich, Germany

The Peace Pagoda in Munich was built by German architect Jochen Reier (APAC) on behalf of the Kingdom of Nepal in 1982-1983. The temple has been constructed with 80 tons of precious Sheesham timber (rose wood) logged in the Terai (lowlands of Nepal) and was then beautifully art-carved by hand. Over 300 Nepalese artisans in the Kathmandu area helped building it. The Kingdom of Nepal was awarded with the gold medal for best nation building of the IGA´83 in Munich. Today the Peace Pagoda is part of Munich Westpark because thousands of citizens and visitors helped to keep the “Asian Essemble” – and especially this Nepalese Shiva Pagoda – as a constantly remaining symbol of World Peace.

Vienna, Austria

The bell-shaped Peace Pagoda in 2nd district of Vienna is a monument rather than a temple and contains an almost 3m/10ft high seated statue of Buddha under a dome decorated with a band of ornaments and reliefs. Source: http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM7NW0_Peace_Pagoda_Vienna_Austria

Milton Keynes, England
The Peace Pagoda in Willen, Milton Keynes

The Milton Keynes Peace Pagoda was completed in 1980 at the northern edge of Willen lake in Willen, Milton Keynes. This was the first Peace Pagoda in the western world. There is a Nipponzan-Myōhōji Order temple and monastery nearby. The pagodas are offerings for world peace, and considered as “a prayer of the spirit made manifest in material form . . . offered to the world as a symbol of global peace”.

Source: http://devworkernbo.typepad.com/nbo_development/2006/11/milton_keynes_p.html

London, England
Peace Pagoda in London

The London Peace Pagoda was completed in 1985 on the south side of the River Thames in Battersea Park, London. Permission to build it was the last legislative act of the Greater London Council. The Peace Pagoda was a gift to London from the Japanese Buddhist Order, Nipponzan Myohoji, in 1985.

Here the Buddha is shown with one hand ‘pressing the earth’ which represents him calling upon the earth to witness to the truth of his words.

Here the mudra suggests teaching as the Buddha turns the wheel of dharma and his disciples listen attentively beneath.

Here the Buddha is shown standing, his hand raised as a sign of protection and warding off fear from Evil.

 Here the Buddha is shown reclining as he enters Nibbana (Mahaparinirvana) at the end of his life.

Source: http://www.redbridgerenet.co.uk/peacepagoda/

Current Stupas Being Built In The World

The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion
Bendigo, Australia

Great Stupa of Universal Compassion is a Buddhist stupa currently under construction near Bendigo, Victoria, Australia. It will be the home of the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace, once the Stupa is complete and when the Jade Buddha has finished its world tour. The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion will be the same size and design as the Great Stupa of Gyantse in Tibet, which is 50 metres (164 feet) wide along each side at its base and nearly 50 metres high. This will make it the largest stupa in the Western world.

Ancient Pagoda Gallery

The Iron Pagoda of Kaifeng, China, built in 1049 AD

Three-story stone pagoda of Gameun-sa in Korea, built in 682 AD

Wooden five-story pagoda of Hōryū-ji in Japan, built in the 7th century, one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world.

Wooden three-story pagoda of Ichijō-ji in Japan, built in 1171 AD

One Pillar Pagoda, Hanoi, Vietnam

The nine-story Xumi Pagoda, Hebei, China, built in 636 AD

Nyatapola Temple located in Bhaktapur, Nepal, built in 1701-1702 AD

Videos of Stupas

Documentary of the Stupa
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJsLHcL3Bvs

How to Build A Stupa
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94EA–UPqb4

____________________

ATISHA

The Great Lord Atisha was born as Prince Chandragarbha to King Kalyana Shri in Bengal. The Prince gave up his kingdom to later become a mendicant monk and a most learned scholar in the Nalanda Monastery, India from 982 till 1054. His most prized possession was a basket that contained texts of his holy writing and a stupa. These attributes of the great Indian scholar Atisha are usually represented at the left and right side of his lotus seat in a thangka.

Atisha’s stupa is unique in that it has a bell-shaped base supporting a lotus-based nirvana stupa with thirteen umbrella-wheels.

Lord Atisha always carried his wooden stupa around so he may make offerings and prostrations. It is a vessel that contains relics that provided his spiritual support along his journeys.

Lord Atisha’s stupa contained primarily the relics of Naropa, one of his main Guru. He carried it around all the way from India to Tibet. In Atisha’s own commentary on The Lamp it mentioned a stupa should contain relics, ashes or image of their Guru. So it is customary to fill a stupa with relics and mantras.

The content in this stupa is important because it holds the relics of Lord Atisha’s past Gurus and as an object of veneration to remind him of his practice, hold his Guru Devotion and do his purification practise.

Atisha received the holy contents from his Gurus, including mantras, relics, image or tsa tsa and ashes.

Out of all the teachings Lord Atisha received from over 150 teachers, he was most moved by the teaching on how to develop bodhichitta from his Guru, Dharmakirti or Dharmapala from Suvarnadvipa or modern Sumatra, Indonesia. Hence he carried this precious item with him in the stupa as a blessing and high regard.

Lord Atisha originates from Jahor, Bangalore in Eastern India. His personal main yidam was Arya Tara who appeared to him in pure vision prior to his journey to Tibet.

Lord Atisha was told if he were to remain in India, he will live to be ninety-two but if he goes to Tibet, he can only live up to seventy-two years

Lama Tsongkhapa was greatly influenced by Atisha through the Lamrim (Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment) teachings. This is the first time all of Lord Buddha’s teachings were integrated and systematised into a single path of practice, the Eight Thoughts of Transformation and the Wheel of Sharp Weapons. Lama Tsongkhapa was considered by many as an emanation of Atisha. If anyone can accomplish these teachings, their anger, expectations and wrong attitudes can be transformed into love and genuine kindness to people around them.

Lama Atisha’s personal stupa

The metal stupa contains Lama Atisha’s relics. It was given to Lama Atisha’s heart disciple, the great translator, Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo, who translated the Buddhist teachings from Sanskrit into the written Tibetan language.

Lama Atisha’s tsatsa made by him

On the back is Atisha’s thumb-print

This tsa tsa (votive relief carving) of the long life deity Namgyalma was made by Lama Atisha. There is a partial handprint from Lama Atisha’s own hand on the reverse side of the tsa tsa. It was offered by Khensur Jampa Tegchok (himself a reincarnation of Jangchub Bumpa who founded Sera Me Monastery in Tibet).

Lama Atisha’s white relics

The white relics were offered to Lama Zopa Rinpoche by His Holiness Sakya Jigdrol (Dagchen) Rinpoche. He received them from the Sakya storehouse of relics in Tibet.

White Tara, Atisha’s tutetary deity

A stupa, now covered with white prayer scarves, which contains Atisha’s monastic robes.

  Stupa not far from the main temple marking the spot where Atisha passed away

ARTICLE 8
by Sock Wan

What is a Stupa?

A stupa is a Buddhist monument built to house the remains of a high monk or filled with mantras, holy items, tsa-tsas, dharma texts and even jewelry. It is also a representation of the Body, Speech and Mind of the Buddha.

Making offerings, prostrating or circumambulating the stupa, we are able to purify our negative karmas and collect vast amount of merits for us to achieve Buddhahood. It is said that before Shariputra gained attainment and became an Arhat, in one of his many previous lives, he was a fly that had the fortune to fly around the stupa in circle. Due to this act, he gained the attainment in Buddha Shakyamuni time and became an Arhat.

Not only making offerings, prostrating or circumambulating the stupa bring tremendous benefit, it is also extremely beneficial if one builds a stupa.

Benefits of building a stupa

There are 10 benefits when one builds a stupa:
1.    If we make 1,000 stupas, we will be able to understand all Buddhadharma.
2.    We will be born as a King.
3.    We will have perfect senses and a beautiful body.
4.    We will have the clairvoyance to see our future lives and be able to remember our past lives.
5.    We will be able to listen to Dharma with full concentration without forgetting it.
6.    By just dreaming a stupa, seeing a stupa, hearing the sound of the bell of a stupa, even by touching the shadow of the stupa, we will be able to purify our negative karma.
7.    All sentient beings will be protectied by the Buddhas.
8.    Dedicate the merits from building the stupa to the deceased, we will be able to help them immediately from a unfavorable rebirth into a good one and they will have the opportunity to meet Dharma.
9.    If we have serious diseases, we can be healed.
10.    We will be able to accumulate vast amount of merits that lead us to enlightenment, the ultimate happiness.

Types of stupas

The Eight Great Stupas

There are 8 types of stupas, each represents the different stages of Buddha’s life.
1.    The Lotus Blossom Stupa : symbolizes the birth of Buddha.
2.    The Mara or Enlightenment Stupa : when Buddha became englightened.
3.    The Stupa of Many Doors : represents the Buddha’s first turning of the wheel of dharma.
4.    The Stupa of Great Miracles : commemorates various inconceivable miracles performed by Buddha when he showed his power subdueing the demons.
5.    The Stupa of Descent from the God Realm : this is when Buddha descended from the heaven and gave Dharma teachings to his mother.
6.    The Stupa of Reconciliation : signifies Buddha uniting the disputing factions within Sangha, the community of monks in Tibet.
7.    The Stupa of Complete Victory : symbolizes Buddha’s prolonged death.
8.    The Stupa of Nirvana : refers to the death of Buddha. The base of the Stupa represents the Ten Healing Actions. The prevention of: killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, slander, swearing, gossip, greed, evilness and false views.

Some famous Stupas

Stupas in different county look slightly different from each other due to their culture and practice.  The way they decorate the stupa might be different but the shape are always the same, with big base and a dome like top. It is in effect the shape of Buddha in sitting meditation position.
Below are some pictures of stupa from all around the world.

1.    The oldest known stupa is the Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath, India

2.     The tallest is the Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, at a height of 127 metres.

3.    The most elaborate stupa is the 8th century Borobudur monument in Java, Indonesia. 

4. Shwedagon Pagoda (Great Dagon Pagoda or Golden Pagoda), located in Yangon, Myanmar

5. Stupa in Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan

6.  Khmer style stupa within the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

7. White Dagoba Temple (Baita Si), Beijing, China

8. Swayambhunath Stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal

9. Bodnath Stupa in Kathmandu

ARTICLE 9
by CK

Introduction

The word stupa, Sanskrit for “pile” or “heap” originally referred to a mound of stones and earth that formed the earliest stupas’ hemispherical dome. As additional elements were introduced, such as square or round bases, and thrones and shrines are built into the domes, the term chaitya was often used to refer to the whole structure. These days, the two terms are used interchangeably. In Pali, thupa is used for stupa, and cetiya for chaitya. In Tibetan, the word for stupa is bumpa “vase” for the curved dome while chorten like chaitya refers to the entire monument from the base to the top. The pagoda, a term used in Southeast Asia, is of Indian origin which evolved from dāgaba, from dhātugarbha  “womb of relics” which was erected to mark the spot where sacred relics were interred. The Chinese word for this tower-shaped monument is t’a (Korean t’ap, Japanese tō) which is derived from the Sanskrit dhā of dhātugarbha.

As a symbol of enlightenment and victory over illusion, the stupa has become a major symbol of Buddhist culture. It is found in monasteries, temples and holy sites in different parts of the Buddhist world. Principally, the stupa represents the Buddha’s mind and conveys enlightened qualities. It also symbolizes the Buddhist universe and the impermanence of everything that is made up of the five elements.

The structure of the stupa is designed to symbolize the path to enlightenment. The basic form is said to correspond to the perfect proportions of a Buddha’s body sitting in lotus position. The base represents the element earth (the state of solidity), the cupola represents the element water (the state of fluidity), the conical spire, the element fire (the state of incandescence) and the umbrella on top, the element wind (the gaseous state), and the flaming jewel on top of the umbrella is the element ether (the state of unification).

Benefits of Stupas

When we prostrate to a stupa, we are paying homage to a manifestation of enlightenment and thus collect abundant merits. Stupas are empowered with the relics of holy beings. The Buddha mentioned four types of beings who are worthy of veneration. These are the Tathagatas, Pratyekabuddhas, Arhats and cakravartin kings. Stupas also hold statues and images, mantras, and prayers representing the body, speech and mind of the Buddha. These holy items activate the blessings and power of compassion of the holy beings to liberate sentient beings. The stupa is a pure receptacle for offerings. Thus, making offerings to a stupa or performing circumambulations will generate great merit and one will not be born in the lower realms. For animals and birds, it will plant seeds for rebirth in higher realms. Relics have the power to calm the minds of living beings. Thus, stupas will bring peace and harmony to the region, protect it from natural disasters and defuse the forces of chaos and negativities.

Why build Stupas?

Building stupas is a very powerful way to purify one’s negative karma, and to accumulate a vast amount of merits. Stupas were erected during the Buddha’s lifetime to honour and commemorate events related to his life.  It is recorded in the Vinaya that the Buddha requested that a stupa be erected in four main sites for future devotees who would walk in the footsteps of the Buddhas. These are Lumbini, his place of birth, Bodhgaya, site of the great enlightenment, Sarnath, where he turned the first Dharma wheel, and Kusinagara, where he entered parinirvana.

Thus, stupas are built for the following reasons:

1. To commemorate an event related to the Buddha’s life
2. To honour the Buddha’s actions before and after enlightenment
3. To mark important moments in Buddhist history
4. To hold relics of enlightened beings as a support for enlightenment
5. To mark the pilgrim’s route
6. To consecrate the sacred places for spiritual practice
7. To bring an atmosphere of peace and harmony to the land

History of Stupas

The earliest stupas were built in India according to the Buddha’s instructions. Shortly after his enlightenment, the Buddha gave hair and nail clippings to two merchants Trapusa and Ballika who offered him honey and cakes and asked them to build a stupa to enshrine  these items. He demonstrated the stupa’s form by placing his robe folded four times to represent the four steps which formed the base. On top of this, he placed his inverted almsbowl to represent the dome and on top of the dome, he placed his staff which represented the umbrella-like structure at the pinnacle. Traditional accounts relate that the stupas built by Trapusa and Ballika were located in Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Burma. The Dulwa (Vinaya) records that during the Buddha’s lifetime, at least one disciple, that is, Śariputra, had his relics placed within a stupa.

In the early days, a compacted mound of earth, stones and broken bricks formed the central core of the stupa. Around this was an outer sheath of bricks or stone forming a hemispherical dome with a flattened top and a diameter about five times its height. This dome-like structure, called anda “egg” in Sanskrit, rose over the relic chamber which was placed in the centre of the base. Ruins of such structures can be found in Piprahwa and Andhra. The relics were often contained in two layers of caskets (inner and outer layer), or in two chambers (upper and lower chambers). The harmika, the square stone box on top of the dome also contains relics deposited in a box in the centre or in an obelisk that forms the stupa’s spire. The spire may be affixed to the top of the dome or extend deep into the earthen mound or it may even pass completely through the mound into the earth below. The stupas of Sanci, built by Asoka in the second century B.C. are of this type. This style of building stupas became known as the Asokan style. Asokan stupas were seen in the fifth and sixth centuries by Chinese pilgrims like Fa-hsien. In the seventh century, Hsuan-tsang noted a large number such stupas during his travels in Central Asia, Afghanistan and India. It is believed that the Buddha also travelled to Andhra, the kingdoms of Cola, Dravida and Malakuta in South India. In all of these places, the pilgrim Hsuan-tsang found stupas built by Asoka to commemorate the sites where the Buddha had visited. Research by archeologists has verified that the stupas of Andhra are among the earliest known. The Buddhist centres in Andhra flourished between the third century B.C. and the seventh or eighth century AD.

Stupas built after Asoka’s time were higher in proportion to their base and more perfectly hemispherical in shape. The parasols became more stylized. The parasols on the spire indicate the degree of spiritual attainment. A stupa of the Buddha has a rain-cover and thirteen parasols; a stupa of a Pratyekabuddha has seven parasols but no rain-cover and a stupa of an Arhat has four parasols. A stupa for a non-returner has three parasols and for the once-returner, two parasols and for the stream enterer, one. In time, the parasols were represented as rings or wheels. Tibetan chortens empowered by dharanis and mantras are considered to be Buddha stupas and have thirteen rings.

Thus, at the end of the first century B.C., most stupas in India had the same basic form: a three-stepped foundation, a taller dome, a harmika, staff, and ring-shaped parasol or wheels rising one above the other. Walls and circumambulation paths were built around the stupas. Some stupas had three or even four circumambulation paths, like the Mahabodhi in Bodhgaya.  Terraces were added to enable pilgrims to ascend higher, as if reaching for enlightenment. Examples of this type of stupas are the Jarungkhashor stupa in Boudhanath, Nepal, the Tashi Gomang stupas in Tibet and Borubudur in Java.

From early times, care was taken to align the base of the stupa with the four directions. The stupa’s architecture became more complex and its cosmic significance became more apparent when knowledge of geomancy and energy fields was combined with principles of the mandala.

Later, niches were built into the sides of stupas and images of the Buddha placed inside, facing outward to the four directions. Stupas were also built on a square base with terraces, a high rounded dome and soaring pinnacle. Staircases were added at the four directions, creating a cruciform shape at the foundation. These types of stupas can be seen in Gandhara and along the Silk Road.  In the great monastic universities of Vikramaśila and Somapuri, built in the eight century A.D., this cruciform structure is the centre of a mandala that integrates stupa, temple and monastery.

In Tibet, the stupa’s form is analyzed based on the teachings of Nagarjuna, who identified the three main receptacles of Dharmakaya: the inverted almsbowl, the small house stupa (chorten kangtse) which can be built by laypeople, and the victory banner. Drakpa Gyaltsen (1147-1216), in one of his works, explains the symbolism of each shape. The inverted almsbowl symbolizes the pure nature of the Dharmakaya, the small house represents the perfect completion of Dharmakaya qualities and the victory banner, represented by the chorten, symbolizes the actions that overcome illusion, evoke the aspiration for enlightenment and support its fulfillment. The eight specific forms of the chorten are known as the eight Mahacaityas (Yael Bentor’s “In Praise of Stupas”, Indo-Iranian Journal 38:1, 1995:33). Descriptions of the eight Mahacaityas and the twenty-four elements of the chorten can be found in the Crystal Mirror Series, Volume 12. When Atisha visited the Toling Monastery and saw the small stupas, he recommended that small stupas be built in groups of 108, an auspicious number in Buddhist traditions. Groupings of 108 small stupas dating to the twelfth and thirteenth centuries can still be seen in Western Tibet.

Different styles have developed in the various Buddhist cultures around the world. Symbols placed at the top of stupas vary according to different traditions. For example, Sri Lankan stupas have a jewel at the top while Tibetan chortens have the sun and moon topped by a flame. In Tibet, the whole stupa might be placed on a lion throne. In Nepal, eyes are painted on large harmikas and the wheels of the spires are fused into the square-sided pyramids. In the soaring pagodas of China, Japan and Korea, the dome has disappeared and the harmika and multi-leveled parasol have transformed into upturned roofs one above the other. In Southeast Asia, stupa and temple merge into the huge dagabas in the monasteries.

Symbolism of stupas commemorating important events in the Buddha’s life:

1. Stupa of heaped lotuses  (Tib. pema pungpe chorten) stupa designed to commemorate the Buddha’s birth in the royal Lumbini garden on the 7^th day of the fourth lunar month in the year 563 BC. At birth, the Buddha took 7 steps in each of the 4 directions from which lotuses sprang. This stupa has 4 steps symbolizing the 4 immeasurables.
2. Stupa of the conquest of Mara (Tib. do-dul chorten) stupa designed to commemorate Shakyamuni’s defeat of the temptation and attack of the hosts of mara under the bodhi tree at Bodhgaya. It has 4 square steps with a slight overhang along the top of each step.
3. Stupa of many doors (Tib. go mang chorten) stupa designed to commemorate the Buddha’s first turning of the wheel of dharma at thedeer park in Sarnath near Vanarasi. Each of the 4 square steps is decorated with many small door frames which symbolize the many methods of Buddha’s teachings. A series of 4, 6, 8 or 12 doors on each side represents respectively the 4 noble truths, the 6 perfections, the noble 4-fold path and the 12 links in the chain of dependant arising.
4.  Stupa of great miracles (Tib. tsho thul chorten) stupa designed to commemorate the Buddha’s display of inconceivable miracles when he overpowered the Naras and heretics (tirthikas) when he was 50 years old.
5. Stupa of descent from the god realm (Tib. la bab chorten) stupa designed to commemorate Buddha’s descent from the heaven of the thirty three gods (Trayastrimsa) when he was 42 years old. He spent the summer retreat in Tushita heaven teaching the dharma to his mother. The stupa has a central projection in each of the 4 sides containing steps which form a triple ladder which was said to have been constructed for the Buddha by the celestial architect Vishwakarma. They have 3 rows of 33 steps symbolizing the god realms’ laddered stairways.
6. Stupa of reconciliation (Tib. indum chorten) stupa designed to commemorate Buddha’s reconciliation of disputing factions within the sangha at the Veluvana Bamboo Grove at Rajagriha. The stupa has 4 octagonal steps with equal sides, totaling 32 in number.
7.  Stupa of complete victory (Tib. namgyal chorten) stupa designed to commemorate the Buddha’s prolongation of his life by 3 months at Vaishali by the supplication of the lay devotee Tsundra. The stupa has only 3 steps which is circular and unadorned.
8.  Stupa of nirvana (Tib. nyang de chorten) stupa designed to commemorate the Buddha’s passing away into parinirvana at Kushinagara when he was 80 years old. It has a circular bell shaped dome which rests on the circular base of the 10 virtues with no ascending steps. The absence of steps symbolizes the Buddha’s complete enlightenment and the bell, like an upturned alms bowl, symbolizes Buddha’s transcendence of the need for sustenance.

 

Pictures of Stupas

 

Stupa at Sanchi

 

Stupa at Boudhanath

 

Symbolism of the Stupa

 

References

(1)   The Stupa. Sacred Symbol of Enlightenment. Crystal Mirror Series, Vol. 12, 1997.

(2)   http://www.stupa.org.nz/

(3)   http://www.stupa.org.nz/stupa/info.htm

(4)   Turning the Wheel of the Dharma. The Immeasurable Benefits of Stupas, in http://dbc.dharmakara.net/trt2-963.html

 

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ARTICLE 10
by Sofi Lim

 

Bodhanath Stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal

What is a stupa?

“Chorten” in Tibetan, which means “the basis of offering”. It symbolises the “Enlightened Mind” and the path to its realisation.

The stupa, the palace where the Buddhas abide, represents the Buddha’s body, his speech and his mind; crowned and sitting in meditation posture on a lion throne. His crown is the top of the spire; his head is the square at the spire’s base; his body is the vase shape; his legs are the four steps of the lower terrace; and the base is his throne.

 

 There are two reasons stupas were built after Buddha Shakyamuni died:

 

 A.  To commemorate eight great deeds accomplished during his life, with the 8 different types of Stupa

 

1.      Stupa of Heaped Lotus : Built at Lumbini 

– Commemorates the Buddha’s birth at Lumbini, where he took seven steps in each of the four directions, from which lotuses sprang.

 

2.      Stupa of Enlightenment or the Conquest of Mara : Built in the kingdom of Magadha, on the banks of the river Nairanjana

– Commemorates the Buddha’s defeat of Mara, and his Enlightenment under the bodhi tree at Bodhgaya  

                

3.      Stupa of Many Doors or Gates : Built at Sarnath (Varanasi)

– Commemorates the Buddha’s first turning of the Wheel of Dharma in the Deer Park at Sarnath near Varanasi.

 

4.      Stupa of Miracles : Built at Sravasti

– Commemorates the Buddha’s miraculous defeat of the non-Buddhists (tirthika) in the Jetvana Grove at Shravasti   

   

5.      Stupa of Descent from Tushita Heaven : Built at Samkashya    

– Commemorates the summer retreat that the Buddha spent teaching the reincarnation of his mother in the heavenly realm of Tushita, and his descent from this realm at the city of Sankasya.

 

6.      Stupa of Reconciliation : Built at Rajagriha

– Commemorates the Buddha’s reconciliation of the disputing fractions within the Sangha at Veluvana bamboo groove at Rajagriha.

 

7.      Stupa of Complete Victory : Built at Vaishali

– Commemorates the Buddha’s prolonging of his life by three months at the city of Vaisali, when he was 80 years of age.        

              

8.       Stupa of Parinirvana : Built at Kushinagara

– Commemorates the Buddha’s passing away beyond sorrow between two sal trees at the city of Kushinigara.     

                                                                                                                                             

B.   To enshrine Buddha’s relics after he passed away – Buddhist teachings teaches that every element of a buddha’s physical body is pervaded with enlightenment. The teacher’s remains after cremation, the distilled essence of his physical form, are considered sacred and the embodiment of enlightenment. Therefore the stupa, which enshrines these relics, is powerful and blesses the place it is built on and those who sees it.

Historically, stupas existed before the times of Buddha Sakyamuni.  As in The Hundred Actions Sutra, King Chakpa had in his previous life, built a sharira stupa (a stupa in which a relic of Buddha abides) following the nirvana of Krakucchanda Buddha. Also, King Zhizhi had built many stupas during Buddha Kassapa’s time. When Buddha Sakyamuni renounced the secular life and became a monk, he did so in front of the stupa of Brahma Tathagataya. The Swayambhunath Stupa in Nepal also existed before the appearance of several Buddhas.

 

The great stupa at Sanchi, Madhaya Pradesh, India.  It was built by Emperor Asoka in the 3rd Century, to house the relics of Buddha.

Benefits of building a Stupa

The Stupa represents Buddha’s holy mind, Dharmakaya, and each part of the Stupa shows the path to Enlightenment. Building a Stupa will powerfully purify our negative karma and obscurations, and to gain great merits. We may gain realizations of the path of Enlightenment and ultimately be able to help liberate sentient beings from sufferings. The Benefit of the Stupa is immeasurable, which emanates far and wide for Aeons.  Even by merely hearing about a Stupa, by touching, by seeing, by praying, by circumambulating and by eating the offerings made to it, that liberation may be attained.

The Buddha said that whoever sees a dharmakaya stupa will be liberated by the sight of it. Feeling the breeze nearby the stupa liberates one by its touch. The sound of the tinkling of the small bells hanging on the stupa liberates one by their sound and having thus seen or experienced this stupa, by thinking of one’s experience of it, one is liberated through recollection.”

“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” – Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche

The stupa that enshrines the teacher’s physical remains serves to remind us of the teacher and the embodiment of the pure and all-pervasive aspect of the awakened state. As His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche has said: “When a great being passes away, his body is no more. But to indicate that his mind is dwelling forever in an unchanging way in the dharmakaya, one will erect a stupa as a symbol of the mind of the buddhas.”

“The stupa also symbolizes the five elements and their relationship to enlightened mind. These are the essential attributes of a fully realised human being: the base of the stupa signifies earth and equanimity; the dome, water and indestructibility; the spire, fire and compassion; above the spire, wind and all-accomplishing action; and at the very top, the jewel represents space and all-pervading awareness. The stupa is a mandala, or sacred arrangement, containing all of these enlightened qualities.”

 

Stupas in the mountains in Myanmar.

A.        In the Karmavibhanga Sutra, it is said:

The Buddha spoke to the young Brahmin Shuka: There are eighteen benefits of building a Tathagata Stupa.
1.       – One will be born as the child of a great king.
2.       – One will have a noble body.
3.       – One will become very beautiful and very attractive.
4.       – One will have sharp sense faculties.
5.       – One will be powerful and famous.
6.       – One will have a great entourage of servants.
7.       – One will become a leader of men.
8.       – One will be a support to all.
9 .      – One will be renowned in the ten directions.
10 .    – One will be able to express oneself in words and verses extensively.
11.     – One will receive offerings from men and gods.
12.     – One will possess many riches.
13.     – One will obtain the kingdom of a universal monarch.
14.     – One will have long life.
15.     – One’s body will be like a collection of vajras.
16.     – One’s body will be endowed with the major marks and the minor signs (of a Buddha).
17.     – One will take rebirth in the three higher realms.
18.     – One will swiftly attain complete nirvana.

 

B.       In the Manjushri Mula Tantra, it is said:

If one builds a Stupa with one’s own hands in order to purify one’s body, one will be able to do so, even if one has committed the five heinous crimes. If one builds one hundred thousand Stupas, one will become the Universal Ruler of all Knowledge-Holders, completely understanding all scriptures and being endowed with skills and wisdom during an abiding Aeon. After death, one will always be born as a king and never go to the three lower realms. Like the sun rising in a central country, one will be endowed with all sense faculties, retaining what one has learned and remembering one’s former lives.

 

C.       In the Sutra called “ Casket of Secret Relics”, it is said:

The Bhagavan spoke:
Vajrapani! If one writes this Dharma teaching and places it inside a Stupa, that Stupa will become the quintessential vajra relic of all  the Tathagatas. It will become a Stupa blessed with the secret Dharani essence of all Tathagatas. It will become a Stupa of ninety-nine Tathagatas, just as many as there are sesame seeds in a sesame pot. It will be blessed as a Stupa which contains the eyes and Ushnisha of all Tathagatas.

Whoever places images of the Buddha in a Stupa, that person will be blessed with the nature of the seven precious jewels of the Tathagata images. Whoever pays reverence and respect to this Stupa, will become non-returners and will eventually completely and perfectly awaken to the unsurpassed and utterly perfect enlightenment.

Even if one offers only one prostration or makes one single circumambulation, one will be completely freed from going to places like the Avici Hell. One will never fall away from the (path to) unexcelled and completely perfect enlightenment. Also the area around this Stupa and images will be blessed by all Tathagatas.

 

D.       In the Saddharma Pundarika Sutra, it is said:

Walls are built from mud and bricks and a Stupa of the Jina is made likewise.
Therefore, even if it is built from heaps of dust;
Whoever builds a Stupa for the sake of the Jina, in remote places of suffering;
Even if it is made of a heap of sand, by children playing games;
(The builder) will reach enlightenment.

 

E.       The benefit of presenting offerings (to a Stupa) are stated in the Sutra requested by Prasenajid:

If one washes white a Buddha Stupa:
One will have a long life in the worlds of gods and men.
One’s body and mind will be free from sickness.
One will overcome all suffering.
One will attain permanent happiness and will be wealthy.

If one rings a bell in front of a Buddha Stupa:
One will have charismatic speech and great fame.
One will gain the pleasant voice of Brahma and remember one’s previous lives.

Whoever among the scholars, turns his mala with a devoted mind in front of a Sugata Stupa:
Will be well presented with many precious golden malas.
Will attain various ornaments.
And will become the foremost among the meritorious and fortunate ones.

Whoever offers to a Stupa of the Jina, the sound of music:
Will gain perfect confidence in profundity and knowledge.
One will have a perfect physical form and a pure mind and speech.
One’s speech will fill the world
If people fix various beautiful banners at an essential reliquary (Stupa), which is the source of immaculate merit, they themselves will receive offerings as they are now an offering field for the three worlds.

If one fixes streamers at a Sugata Stupa,
One will become a glorious ruler of men.
One will become a powerful ruler of gods and will experience great bliss.
One will attain the special streamer of complete liberation.

If one cleans a Buddha Stupa:
One will become beautiful and attractive.
One will have a noble face and the complexion of a lotus.
One will be completely free from defects of samsara.

Whoever cleans the dust around a Stupa, with clean water in the spring time, will be pleasantly fanned by ladies holding golden handled fans.

 

F.        Concerning the benefits of prostrating and circumambulating a Stupa, it is said in the Avalokiteshvara Sutra:

 If one pays respect kneeling before a Buddha Stupa:

One will become a heroic and powerful world monarch.
One will have an armour with golden emblems.
One will become a powerful teacher and take delight in the Buddhas.

 

G.      In the Saddharma Pundarika Sutra, it is said:

Whoever joins their palms before a Stupa, whether with two hands or just one;
Whoever just one time bows their body, or even briefly bends their head;
Whoever prostrates or merely says “Buddha” with a distracted mind, whether once or several times before places where relics are kept;
That one will attain supreme enlightenment.

 

H.      In the Caitya Pradakshina Ghata, it is said:

The qualities of circumambulating a Stupa of the Protector of the World cannot be described properly with mere words.

From the book Crystal Mirror 12 by author Elizabeth Cook:

1.        Whoever offers prayers finds immediate fulfillment of his wishes for both himself and others.

2.        Whoever offers flowers to the Great Stupa obtains ease and contentment, prosperity and health.

3.        Whoever offers incense achieves pure action.

4.        Whoever offers lamps has the darkness of unknowing illuminated.

5.        Whoever offers perfume is freed from anxiety and suffering.

6.        Whoever offers sacrificial food lives a life of (concentration) free from hunger.

7.        Whoever offers music to the Great Stupa spreads the Vibration of Dharma throughout the ten directions.

8.        Whoever offers the sound of cymbals obtains deep and strong understanding and prosperity.

9.        Whoever offers the sound of tinkling bells obtains a gentle and sweet voice – the sacred tones of Brahma.

10.    Whoever offers a mandala to the Great Stupa attains perfect virtue and understanding as fruit of social interaction and meditation practice.

11.    Whoever offers a mandala of the five precious stones – gold, silver, turquoise, coral, and pearl – is free from poverty and misfortune and becomes a master of the inexhaustible ethereal treasury.

12.    Whoever offers a mandala of the seven precious things enjoys the riches of the kingdom of temporal existence and acquires the Divine body with the seven limbs of adoration in the realm of sublimity.

13.    Whoever offers a mandala of the seven spices of life is freed from disease of body, emotion, impulse, and consciousness, from fatal diseases, and all sickness.

14.    Whoever offers a mandala of the five essentials of existence is released from the manifold sufferings of pride, envy, hatred, lust, and lethargy and attains the Buddha Body of the Five Transmuted Lineages of Amitabha, Amoghasiddhi, Vajrasattva, Ratnasambhava, and  Vairocana.

15.    Whoever offers a mandala of the five grains reaps a harvest from the seeds shown.

16.    Whoever offers the five kinds of incense to the Great Stupa becomes attractive and loved by all.

17.    Whoever offers the five kinds of perfume obtains a clean house untroubled by unpleasant odors.

18.    Whoever offers the five divine gifts accumulates the merit, and his power, glory, pleasure and worldly goods increase.

19.    Whoever offers the celestial parasol and victory banner has the tension of passion alleviated and becomes worthy of honor and reverence.

20.    Whoever offers embroidered hangings or a divine ensign obtains happiness. wealth, and abundance, and is free from the fear of fire, water, lions, elephants, retribution, snakes, temptresses, and thieves.

21.    Whoever offers a rosary or crown attains the ecstasy of men and gods and is bejeweled with the seven precious things.

22.    Whoever offers a lamp experiences, in a vision, the reality of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the ten directions.

23.    Whoever offers mustard oil is freed from the veil of lethargy.

24.    Whoever offers a butter lamp irradiates the ten directions with the light of dharma.

25.    Whoever restores the Great Stupa accomplishes the four forms of Buddha Activity, attains every aim conceived and receives the highest understanding.

 

If you make 1,000 Stupas,

1. You will become a great ‘Wheel-turning Holder of the Wisdom Teachings’ (Mahayana Secret Mantra) and have clairvoyance knowing all the Buddhadharma.
2. After death, without being born in the lower realms, you will be born as a King.
3. You will become like a sun, rising in the world, with perfect senses and a beautiful body.
4. You will be able to remember past lives and see future lives.
5. You will be able to extensively listen to the Dharma without forgetfulness.
6. The “Stainless Beam” sutra states – ‘All negative karma and obscurations, including the five uninterrupted negative karmas, are purified even by dreaming of a Stupa, seeing a Stupa hearing the sound of the bell of a Stupa and even for birds and flies etc, by being touched by the shadow of a Stupa.
7. The sentient beings will always be protected by the Buddhas, who always pay attention to guiding them to achieve complete pure Enlightenment. They abide in the irreversible stage.
8. It is explained by Shakyamuni Buddha in the Sutras, that it is extremely powerful to build a Stupa for those who have passed away, as it immediately changes a suffering rebirth into a fortunate rebirth with the opportunity to meet the Dharma.
9. It can also heal those with serious diseases.
10. There is no question that it accumulates extensive merit and brings success and happiness. Therefore, dedicate for your ancestors, family members and friends who have passed away or who are sick, and for the happiness of yourself and your family in this and future lives. “

 

How to build a STUPA?

The site chosen for a Stupa will have Pujas (prayers) performed and requests made to the land deities seeking blessings for the site, for smooth and successful construction of the Stupa. Right motivation and correct view must be set for all those involved in the construction as the Stupa is the emanation Buddha’s pure mind.

In Tibetan tradition, the Stupa sits upon a square base called the Lion’s Seat whose four sides refer to the four qualities of mind, for attainment of enlightenment, ie. Love, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity. This base is traditionally filled with jewels, precious texts and relics pertaining to the tradition of Stupa building. On the Lion’s Seat there are then built five steps which are representative of the progress of the mind towards enlightenment. Each step can be divided into two and alludes to the ten levels of Bodisattva realisation.

The Bumpa, a rounded form is built on top of the steps and depending on the size, can contain a room for meditation and Puja or just be filled with further precious and pure representations of Buddha’s mind. The Bumpa represents the seventeen levels of the Form Realm.

A spire is built on top of the Bumpa, with ornaments on top, representing the four stages of the Formless Realm.

As the outer of the Stupa represents the pure mind, so too must the inner contents. Traditionally, great importance had been placed on particular objects and the way they are placed inside the Stupa, so as to maintain the purity of the mind representation.

A central axis called the Sog Shing, meaning “Life Stick” is traditionally carved from Sandalwood or Juniper.  However, the wood of any tree which does not bear poisonous fruit can be used. Once the tree has been chosen, prayers and offerings are made to the Earth Spirits for permission to use it. The wood must be crafted by a fully ordained monk, into a tapered shape, with either carved or painted with mantras on the surface. Emphasis must be put on the best quality to be used in making of Sog Shing. At the tip of the Life Stick a picture of the Victory Stupa is made and at its base, a half Dorje. Holes are made at the top and base for blessed relics, medicines and texts to be placed inside.

The Life Stick is then wrapped in precious materials and fixed in place on the Lion’s Seat. It is long enough to protrude to the Stupa’s highest point.

The Stupa will then be filled with relics which symbolizes the utmost purity of mind. It is said that if the Stupa itself is the representation of Buddha’s body, then the Relics are the life force which flows through it and, as such, are even more vital than its outer form.

The first relic, called the Dharma relic or Tsa Tsa is made to fill the Stupa. These are small clay models of Stupas made from local clay, extracted from the earth after prayers and offerings had been made. The Tsa Tsa can only be made by those holding vows, at very least the eight basic Buddhist vows. Each Tsa Tsa is made with the recitation of specific mantras and visualisation of the Buddha. A hole is made in the base of each Tsa Tsa where prayer scrolls are inserted.

The second relic to be placed in the Stupa is a remnant of the body of the Buddha himself.

The third relic is a piece of the Buddha’s robe

The fourth relic is a white grain of the Buddha’s bone.

The fifth and final relic is the Mantra Relic. This include the eighty four thousand teachings of the Buddha along with the commentaries on his teachings by many of the realised beings who came after him. The Mantra Relic also includes the “Five Great Mantras for Stupas”.  Insertion of the Stainless Beam Deity Mantra in the Stupa will purify those who made prostration, of their extremely negative karma, cause long life and to be reborn in a pure realm.

The Mantra of Stainless Beam Deity (Long Version) :

NAMA SAPTANAM / SAMYAKSAM BUDDHA KOTINAN PARISHUDDHE MA NA SI / ABHYA CHITA PATISHTHA / NAMO BHAGAVATE / AMRITA AH YU SHASYA / TATHAGATHA SYA / OM SARVA TATHAGATHA SHUDDHI / AH YUR BISHODHANI / SAMHARA SAMHARA / SARVA TATHAGATHA BIRYA BA LE NA PRATISAMHARA AYU SARA SARA / SARVA TATHAGATHA SAMAYA / BODHI BODHI / BUDDHA BUDDHYA / BODHAYA / BODHAYA / MANA SARVA PAPAM AVARANA BISHUDDHE / BIGATA MALAM / CHHARA SU BUDDHYA BUDDHE HURU HURU SVAHA

 

The Mantra of Stainless Beam Deity (Short Version) :

NAMA NAWA NAWA TINAM / TATHAGATHA GAM GANAM DIWA LUKA NAMA / KOTINI YUTA SHATA SAPA SVANAM / OM BO BO RI / CHARI NI CHARI / MORIGORI CHALA WARISVAHA

 

Once the Stupa is complete, with all the relics in place, a blessing ceremony takes place. A gathering of many realised Lamas and Masters along with Sangha, Retreatants and Lay practitioners is invited for prayers and blessings to complete the process of the building the Stupa.

The Buddha spoke about many types of stupas in The Benefits of Constructing Stupas Sutra and told us that even if a stupa is the size of a jujube leaf, or as thin as a needle, it is still able to bring vast merits. A small stupa filled with relics or mantra may be put on the altar as the embodiment of the Three Jewels.

Even stupas built by children when they are playing games, can bring enormous merits. It is said in Lotus Sutra, “The little children who piled up here and there heaps of sand into stupas, those who have done such actions have all reached enlightenment.” Sometimes when little children play, if they have some roots of beneficence, they will form a good connection with statues or stupas of Buddhas, which will become the cause of their eventual enlightenment.

 

Enshrined with relics of past four Buddhas within – the staff of Kakusandha, the water filter of Konagamana, a piece of Kassapa’s robe and 8 hairs of Gautama Buddha.

 

Golden rock stupa, Bagan, Myanmar

 

There is also great benefit in offering other people a miniature stupa made of gold, silver, wood, stone or glass with inserted relics or mantras, to form a karmic link with him. Lord Atisha always carries a wooden stupa for spiritual support, symbolize his unchanging wisdom of bliss and emptiness. Known as the Kadampa stupa, Lord Atisha’s stupa has a bell shaped base supporting a lotus-based nirvana stupa with 13 umbrella-wheels (honouring Lord Atisha with the status of a Buddha).

Mending stupas brings forth great merit as well，as it was written on Mahasangha-vinaya, “Alms giving with thousands of kilos of real gold is not as much merit as mending a stupa with a ball of mud in distracted mind.”

 

Merits of Circumambulating a Stupa

Avatamsaka Sutra or the Flower Garland Sutra also says, “circumambulate three times in a clockwise direction”. It is obligatory to circumambulate clockwise, if you do it counter-clockwise, not only will you not be gaining any merit, but you will be generating negative karma by doing so.

In the Sutra of the Buddha Lecturing King Prasenajit, it is said that “if it is with a pure mind that a person circumambulates a stupa or an image of the Buddha, then in the next life, even the enemies will respect this person, and this person will possess merits and virtues, and become a Mahayana Dharma vessel.”

In the Casket of Secret Relics Sutra it is written that “Those who should be punished to Avici Hell, if they make one prostration to this Stupa or walk around this Stupa once in clockwise direction, they will reach enlightenment.”

So if you have the opportunity, you should let your parents circumambulate a statue of the Buddha or a stupa, those who tie an auspicious bond in the teaching of Buddha Sakyamuni will be enlightened in the teaching of Buddha Maitreya. If they don’t believe in Buddhism, you can trick them into walking around the stupa. If it’s a child, then entice him by offering him a candy and asking him to follow you around the stupa. If they are your parents, you can say, “Do you want to go on a tour? I know a good place.” Then slowly take them to circumambulate a stupa – “Alright, end of the tour!” Kengpo So Dargye.

 

Tsa tsa of Nyamgyalma made by Lama Atisha

Metal stupa containing Lama Atisha’s relics.

 

Many Indian masters had placed much importance on circumambulating a Stupa.  When Master Atisha arrived in Tibet, Dromtonpa and his other disciples asked him, “Why do you attach such great importance to circumambulating stupas in contrast with all other virtuous acts?” Master Atisha told them, “Among all relatively virtuous acts, there is none that brings about more merits than circumambulating stupas, because it is the amassment of good karma of 3 virtues, the body, the mind and the soul. In India, there were people who attained enlightenment by circumambulating cities or holy temples, and there were some who recuperated from sickness or attained enlightenment by circumambulating the holy image of Avalokitasvara… Therefore, everybody should circumambulate with diligence!” After this, Lama Dromtonpa did as he was told and circumambulated every day. When his legs were not so nimble anymore in his later years, it is said that he circumambulated with the help of a carriage (probably similar to a wheelchair). He persisted on circumambulating thrice until the day he passed away. When Master Atisha was circumambulating the stupa in Bodh Gaya, sometimes he received oracles from the Tara, sometimes he received oracles from other Dakinis. From these stories we can tell that Atisha attached much importance to circumambulation. The Three Noble Brothers of the Kadampa lineage circumambulated stupas or scripture halls as well. According to certain biographies, the great masters Patrul Rinpoche, Mipham Rinpoche and Master Tsongkhapa also spared no efforts in circumambulation.

In Tang Dynasty, a senior monk called Master Zilin, saved his mother from bad rebirth by prostrating 40,000 times before the Sharira Stupa of King Asoka monastery.

In Qing dynasty, a “head-touching monk” of Baotong Monastery in Wuchang was able to heal all diseases with the light touch of his hand.  He gained his miraculous power by daily circumambulation, touching the pagoda and reciting The Mantra of the Great Compassion, for 10 years without stopping.

 

Types of stupas

Built for a variety of reasons, Buddhist stupas are classified based on form and function into five types:

• Relic stupa – in which the relics or remains of the Buddha, his disciples and lay saints are interred.
• Object stupa – in which the items interred are objects belonged to the Buddha or his disciples such as a begging bowl or robe, or important Buddhist scriptures.
• Commemorative stupas – built to commemorate events in the lives of Buddha or his disciples.
• Symbolic stupa– to symbolise aspects of Buddhist theology, for example, Borobuddur is considered to be the symbol of “the Three Worlds (dhatu) and the spiritual stges (bhumi) in a Mahayana bodhisattva’s character.”
• Votive stupas – constructed to commemorate visits or to gain spiritual benefits, usually at the site of prominent stupas which are regularly visited.

Votive stupa

 

Features of a stupa

• Harmika-It is built on the top of the oval shaped stupa.
• Medhi-It is an elevated circular path around the stupa used for Pradhikshina
• Toran-It is the Gateway to the stupa.
• Vedica-It is a railing meant for the protection of the holy place.

 

Kalachakra stupa in Tabor, Spiti, India.

Ruiguang Ta Pagoda, Suzhou, China

In conclusion, if one is to truly pursue “enlightenment”, building a stupa or at minimal, monetary contribution towards building of one is an important criterion.  If much merits can be gathered by circumambulating a stupa, what more is there to say of building a stupa.  After my limited research on the web, I found that Kechara Forest Retreat could be the very first to build a Vajrayogini Stupa, which will immensely bless it’s environment and all that sees, hear or feel it’s very presence.  I, for one would love to be able to contribute both physically and monetarily towards building of KFR’s Vajrayogini Stupa and dedicate my efforts towards Rinpoche’s long life, good health and continual turning of the Dharma Wheel.  Also, to dedicate my efforts my parents’ and all sentient beings’ continual good rebirths until there is no more need for Buddhas to teach or guide in this world.

 

Possible Egyptian Stupas?

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Dear Tsem Rinpoche:

The Vote for the 10 Articles on Stupas Contest is OUT! Here below is the
result of the vote:

Winner: Sofi – 34 Votes
1st Runner up: May Ong – 31 Votes
2 st Runner up: Andrew & Thierry – 7 Votes
Pastor Ngeow – 6 Votes
JP – 6 Votes
Matthew Leong – 2 Votes
Yoke Fui – 1 Vote
CK – 1 Vote
Sock Wan – 0 Vote
Doreen Teoh – 0 Vote

TQ

Love,
Ethan

***************

 

Dear everyone,

I would like to thank all the ten people who contributed with your beautiful article on stupas and on time. I think each article has special points of learning for all of us. I appreciated the work by everyone. I learned alot of new important information from these ten articles also. I was very happy to see these articles.

I would like to thank all the people who took the time to read each article as it benefits your learning and submitted your votes. I really appreciate your votes. It’s good for everyone all around!

I thank my Ladrang people who compiled the votes and information for me and posting it. They kept a close watch. Very exciting!

The whole purpose of this was for everyone to learn from these articles. I like people to learn. But I did something different, I requested all of you to please find the information yourselves instead me giving the information. The process of research and learning is very fulfilling. I enjoyed this very much and it all arose from a few of us discussing about stupas on the blog chat! I was chatting on the blog and decided to talk about stupas and many participated with much enthusiasm. So I decided to ask those on chat to research on stupas and post to me. I would blog the write ups with pictures and have everyone vote which article helped them the most. Out of 100 people who voted you can Sofi  recieved the most votes. Ms May Ong is first runner up. Congratulations to both ladies.

Here is the special gift. Click here to see for the winner’s gift: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/gallery/photos-on-the-go.html?nggpu=https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/wp-content/gallery/photos-on-the-go/moby-to-lh6h3v.jpg

 

 

 

Stupa Contest: Our Winner with the most votes is Ms. Sofi from our tabulations. I rejoice from my heart Ms. Sofi put sincere effort into a wonderful educational write up on the origins/benefits of stupas with beautiful pictures. From my  heart I would like to present these very special gifts I have chosen for you. The prizes are: 2-D framed picture of Lord of Healing Medicine Buddha. May you and your family be healthy and always grow in spirituality. Books are: Healing Anger by HH Dalai Lama, Life & Teachings of Tsongkapa, Oracle & Demons of Tibet (very old and unique book), Dje Tsongkhapa, Historical Introduction to the Five Principal Spiritual Tradtions of Tibet and Milarepa life story. Please take your time and read these books. You will learn plenty! Understanding your spiritual practice from learning is of the utmost essential ingredient for growth. I wish you the best.

 And the 1st runner up’s gift: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/gallery/photos-on-the-go.html?nggpu=https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/wp-content/gallery/photos-on-the-go/moby-to-e6k5tf.jpg

 

 

Stupa contest: For our first runner up Ms May Ong, a hearty congratulations! It is wonderful you took the time to research on stupas and help to educate all of us on the benefits. I am very happy on this. By the count of votes you are our first runner up winner!! I present you with a holy framed Lord Tsongkapa Guru Tree poster. The original is in my possession and was signed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. So it is very blessed. I am happy you can have a copy. Three wonderful books for you also to read: Lighting the Way by HH Dalai Lama, Life & Teachings of Tsongkapa and Milarepa’s life story in full pictorial. I wish you spiritual attainments. 

 

With folded hands and much thanks to everyone,

Tsem Rinpoche
Kuala Lumpur
May 16, 2012

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