The Buddha Stupas

The Buddha Stupas

In Sri Lanka, the stupa is often referred to as Chaitiya, Dagoba, Saya or Wehere. The Stupa original from is Funeral mound which are raised man of soil. The stupa supposed to be the architectural device within a triangle. In Egypt, there have been ‘Pyramid’, this plan has influence the construction of stupa.

According to Furgoson, during the Vedic period in India, two types of S’mashāna are; square shape and circular shape. They had a cemetery origin. The top of the stupa where the relic are enshrined in the enough chambers is square shape.

According to ‘Mahāparinibbāna Sutta’, the Buddha mentioned the Buddha, Pacceka-Buddha, Arahant  and Cakkavatti are the worthy of construction of a stupa. During the life time of the Buddha, Stupa was constructed with the ashes of Ven. Sāriputta and Moggalāna.

The following six types of patterns are the most popular in Sri Lanka. These are:

       The Ruvanveli Seya, Kiri Vehera and Rankot vehera Stupas are shape of Bubble (Bubbulākāra). This shape explained the Buddhist concept of impermanent and also known “the human life is just like a water bubble”.

A striking Kelaniya, Thupārāma Stupa is a taking paddy heap shape (Dharyakāra).

The Demalamahaseya Stupa is Padmākāra (Lotus shape) at Polunarawa.

           According Roland Silva, ‘‘Mahiyangana Stupa” is takes the bell shape (Ghathākāra).Kiri Vehera in Kataragāma and Somawathi Stupas has taken the Pot shape (Ghatākāra). During the later period, Āmalākāra Stupa is belonging to other shapes also. In the Polonnaruwa is called “Sat Mahal Pāsāda Stupa” the shape of a pagoda. There also has been a peculiar type of Stupa at Pacinnatissa Pabbata of Anuradhapūra and cylinder shape of Ambara. The Lotus shape and the Āmalākāra shape had been connected together.

There are ten steps and various designs of the structure of the stupa. The Sand-terrace is the surrounding of the stupa used by devotees to come and worship.

This Stone-terrace includes stone slabs of various shapes which indicate people ordinary Kamma force.  This is the indication of the Samsāra.

The Base Moulding is the 84,000 sections of the Dhammas“main fair”.

The Three-terraces signify Sīla, Samādhi, and Pañña.

The Dome shape is a semicircle and it is placed on the top of the terraces. The Buddha or Arahant relics are enshrined inside this Dome. The Ruvanveliseya Dome inside this relic, gold, silver, jewels, etc are enshrined due to their faith. There have 550 Jātaka stories.  It is signify the 37 Dhammas belonging to Enlightenment.

The Square enclosure is also sometimes sculpture with the symbol of the sun or the moon or lotus. The religious significant is The Four Noble Truths.

This Spire is taking the cylinder shape. It signifies the eight attainments.

Pinnacle indicates Supādisesa and Anupādisesa nibbāna.

Crest Jewel signifies the complete emancipation which is Nibbhāna.

There are famous of stupas in Srilanka: Thuūpārāma-dagoba is constructed north of the Ruvanveli-seya by King Devānampiyatissa 250-210 B.C. It took a heap of paddy shape. Today, the stupaghara around is four rows of stone pillars.

Mahāthūpa stupa was built by King Dutugāmunu during the second century BC. This is taking the bubble shape. This stupa has three circular terraces built of bricks at the base.

King Saddhatissa built the square structure about the Dome and also Chatra. That King is sent to have provided a ring of crystal on the top of the Mahāthupa. The stupa’s platform was surrounded by a broad procession path on all four sides.

Mirisavetiya Dagoba is said to have been enshrining the king Seepter containing relics by King Dutugāmunu. Today, the super structure had disappeared but the body of the stupa still remained. Sri Lanka architectures due to the present of the Vahalkaba they are called front pieces.