what does the word stupa mean?

Question

describe this word for me

Answer 1

A stupa (from the Pali) is a type of Buddhist structure found across the Indian subcontinent, Asia and increasingly in the Western World. Stupas are known in many Southeast Asian countries as chedi (from a Pāli synonym of stupa); in some countries (particularly Sri Lanka) as dagoba (from Sanskrit dhatu- element, component, or relic + garbha - storehouse or repository); or as tope (from Hindi top, derived from Sanskrit stūpa, a heap).

The stupa is the earliest Buddhist religious monument and was originally only a simple mound made up of mud or clay, or a cairn in barren areas, to cover supposed relics of the Buddha. After the ‘passing away’ of the Buddha his remains were cremated and the ashes divided and buried under eight stupas with two further stupas encasing the urn and the embers. Little is known about these early stupas, particularly since it has not been possible to identify the original ten monuments. However, some later stupas, such as at Sarnath and Sanchi, seem to be embellishments of earlier mounds. In the third century BC, after his conversion to Buddhism, the emperor Ashoka had the original stupas opened and the remains distributed among the several thousand stupas he had built. Nevertheless, the stupas at the eight places associated with the life of the Buddha continued to be of particular importance. Accordingly, the importance of a stupa changed from being a funerary monument to being an object of veneration. As a consequence their appearance changed also.

They evolved into large hemispherical mounds with features such as the torana (gateway), the vedica (fence-like enclosure evolved from the vedic villages), the harmika (a square platform with railings on top of the stupa), chattrayashti (the parasol or canopy) and a circumambulatory around the stupa. From the first century BCE onwards, stupas were incorporated into the hall of the chaitya-griha.

The oldest known stupa is the Dhamek Stupa at Sanchi, India, while the tallest is the Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, with a height of 127 metres.

The stupa evolved into the pagoda as Buddhism spread to other Asian countries. The pagoda has varied forms that also include bellshaped and pyramidal ones. Today, in the Western context, there is no clear distinction between the stupa and the pagoda. But in general stupa is used for a Buddhist structure of India or south-east Asia, while pagoda refers to a building in east Asia which can be entered and which may be secular in purpose.

Fundamentally, a stupa is essentially made up of the following five constituents:

a). A square base
b). A hemispherical dome
c). A conical spire
d). A crescent moon
e). A circular disc

Each of these components is rich in metaphoric content and is identified with one of the five cosmic elements said to make up the entire manifested existence. These are earth, water, fire, air and space.

Answer 2

My Dear Friends, Although all the points (minus one or two) are totally relevant and coincide with the teachings of Buddhism. We have still yet to answer the question raised by our friend, [Mary2]. It is true that [CAB in AZ] has kindly provided a link to a website that contains the 8 auspicious symbols in Buddhism; but that was not what [Mary2] asked for. I find it rude and insulting to the intellect of [Mary2], assuming that she does not know how to search for the 8 symbols herself, but rather, I beleive she is giving us an opportunity to express our knowledge, and not just copy & paste. [Mary2], I hope that the information I provide below is helpful and enriched to your liking. According to the Tibetan Transmission of Buddhism, the Eight Symbol of Auspiciousness are usually displayed as follows (from left to right): 1. Lid --- The spiritual life of Lord Buddha, His Parasol in the spiritual realms 2. Two Fish --- The eyes of Lord Buddha, His Compassion and Wisdom 3. Vase --- The golden mouth of Lord Buddha, His pure and untainted Dharma 4. Lotus --- Countless, innumerable and boundless perfection 5. Shell --- The Dissemination of Dharma, blowing the shell horn 6. Knot/String --- The heart of Lord Buddha, His immeasurable achievments 7. Dharma Parasol --- The mind of Lord Buddha, extermination of klesa (afflictions) 8. Dharma Wheel --- The hand of Lord Buddha, turning the Dharma wheel Please note that there are always different ways of translating the 8 Symbols of Auspiciousness, because the original language of Buddhism was Sanskrit. Therefore, please forgive any mis-translations or perhaps strong difference of the words that I have used. In terms of what one looks like, traditionally they are displayed with the auspicious symbol on top and a lotus flower on the bottom (with regards to appearance these lotus flowers are all identical - unlike the one that appears as an auspicious symbol). The meanings given above are only brief introductions; within each meaning are more profound and in-depth meanings. For now, I have merely given the representation of each of the symbols in context of the relation to the Root Buddha The Great Holy Lord Sakyamuni Buddha. If there have been any offensive language or content, I welcome criticism and education from all our learned friends from the world wide web. vhy

Answer 3

The earliest form of Buddhist architecture, probably derived from Indian funeral mounds

Click here for a picture of a stupa

1.) http://z.about.com/d/altreligion/1/0/Z/E/2/stupa.jpg

2.) http://www.shambhalamountain.org/images/stupa-linedrawing.gif

3.) http://www.kestan.com/images/malaysia/penang2/IMG_9098%20a%20stupa.jpg

Hope this helps you

Answer 4

l know for stupa as word from croatian language and it means STAIR(down stairs for exhample)

Answer 5

these are memorial mounds. they are solid core hemispherical
in shape holds a casket containing the relic of memento related to eminent prophet it is purely a decorative piece sanchi is the best known in this group.

Answer 6

No idea.