Stupa Architecture: Sanchi & Buddhist Traditions

Introduction

The stupas are basically burial mounds and are a conventional representation of a funeral mound in which relics and ashes of the dead are kept. Though being pre-Buddhist, stupas were popularised by the Buddhists. [UPSC 2023]

The Diverse Patrons and Artisans of Buddhist Monuments

• Patrons Range: From lay devotees to Gahapatis and kings. 
• Donations: By the guilds are also mentioned at several sites. However, there are very few inscriptions mentioning the names of artisans such as Kanha at Pitalkhora (Satmala range in western ghats) and his disciple Balaka at Kondane caves (near Lonavala) in Maharashtra. 
• Artisans’ categories like stone carvers, goldsmiths, stone polishers, carpenters, etc. are also mentioned in the inscriptions.
• From the second century BC onwards, the pattern of patronage has been a very collective one, and there are very few examples of royal patronage.

The Stupa: Symbolism, Structure, and Sacred Space in Buddhist Architecture

• The Buddhist stupa is a hemispherical dome with a solid structure.
• The core of the Stupa was made of unburnt brick, while the outer surface was made of burnt bricks.
• It consists of a circular cylindrical drum with a Harmika and Chhatri on the top.
• It is surrounded by a circumambulatory passage or Pradakshinapatha, where devotees walk around.
• The whole structure was also surrounded by wooden railings and gateways called Toranas.
• Buddha’s life events like the birth, renunciation, enlightenment, dhammachakrapravartana, and mahaparinibbana were depicted through the symbols like lotus, elephant, Jataka stories etc.

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Conclusion

• Stupas stand as enduring symbols of Buddhist spirituality and architectural ingenuity, embodying profound spiritual significance and serving as centers of reverence and pilgrimage for Buddhists worldwide.