Symbolism of the

Stupa/Chorten
Origin of Buddhist
Architectural Forms
The perfect proportions of the Buddha’s body
corresponds to the design of religious monuments.
Its architecture developed from the pre-Buddhist
Indian grave-mound.
Under these mounds the saintly ascetic were
buried; their bodies were seated on the ground
and covered with earth.
These dome-shaped graves, or tumuli, of the
saints were regarded as holy places. And were
destinations for pilgrimage for the devotional and
places of practice for meditators.
Earliest Stupa
Ruwanweliseya, or the
"Great Stupa", above, is
regarded as the most
important of the stupas
at Anuradhapura, Sri
Lanka.
Standing at 300 feet, it
is the oldest but
smallest of the three
giant edifices in brick
in the world.
Origin of the Stupa
– Masonry hemisphere 70’ in diameter, 35” high
– Solid construction of unburnt bricks
– Small space left at centre for a container with a
relic of the Buddha
– Wooden umbrella or chhattrayashti placed at
summit as a mark of dignity
– Surface of dome finished with thick plaster
– Recesses left on surface for lamps
– Colour and gilding also applied to the surface
– Pradakshina patha provided around stupa
enclosed within
– Wooden railing or vedica with entrances at each
cardinal direction
 Conceptual Plan of the
Stupa
Entrances at four
cardinal points 1 Position of relic

4
2

Ambulatory or
Railing or vedica pradakshina patha
3
Sanchi Stupa
Developments at
Sanchi...additional elements
150 BC Asoka’s existing brick stupa increased
to double its size to 120’ in diameter
and 54’ in height
Medhi or elevated terrace forming
ambulatory path at a height of 16’
above ground
Double stairway or sopana added to
access the medhi
Harmika with yashti and chhatras added
to flattened crest of the dome
Sanchi...changes in materials
and finishes...
• Stupa finished with hammer dressed
stones laid in fairly even courses using
dry masonry techniques
• Timber fence around Asoka’s original
stupa replaced by a stone railing 11’ high
with entrances at each of the cardinal
points
Railing....Sanchi Stupa
Octagonal posts 9’
high

Topping with
immense beam
upper side
rounded

2’ wide horizontal ¾” gaps between

rails rails
Origins of Vedika
 The central pillar or
chhatravalli represents
the ethereal world

Domed body or anda

represents the sky

High circular plinth

or medhi represents
the earth

Three parasols or chhatras represent

the three jewels of Buddhism-the
Buddha, the Sangha and the
Dharma
Sopana or staircase
The Elements on the Roof
The central pillar or
chhatravalli represents the
ethereal world

Three parasols or chhatras

represent the three jewels
of Buddhism-the Buddha,
the Sangha and the Dharma

The square balustrade or harmika refers to the mythical

cosmic mountain at the centre of the Universe