Stupa
A stupa is a mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics, typically the remains of Buddha, used by Buddhists as a place of worship. The stupa is the oldest Buddhist religious monument and was originally only a simple mound of mud or clay to cover supposed relics of the Buddha (cetiya). After the parinirvana 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.
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.
Read More
Iconography
There are eight different kinds of stupas in Tibetan Buddhism, each referring to major events in the Buddha's life.
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. "At birth Buddha took seven steps 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 the 35-year-old 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.
Inside The Stupa
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. Mantras written on paper are rolled into thin rolls, and put into these small clay stupas. Filling the treasury, one layer of Tsa-Tsas are placed, and the empty space between is filled with dry sand. On the new surface appearing, another layer is made, until the entire space of a treasury is full.
The number of Tsa-Tsas are dependent on the size of both the treasury and Tsa-Tsa, since it should be completely filled. For example, the Kalachakra stupa in southern Spain has approximately 14 000 Tsa-Tsas within.
Jewellery and other "precious" objects are also placed in the treasury. It is not necessary that the jewellery be expensive, 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
Pancha Buddha : About
Five Dhyani Buddhas, popularly known as Pancha Buddha are five representatives of five different qualities of Shakyamuni Buddha. Pancha Buddhas are also known as the Five Wisdom Tathagatas and are widely respected in Vajrayana Buddhism. In Sanskrit, they are known as the Five Conquerors, or Victor, and are a common subject in Vajrayana Buddhist tradition. As you may have noticed in many Thangkas or collections of five Buddha statues in Buddhist people's residences, these collections of Buddha statues are quite popular for their great five different qualities. These Pancha Buddhas are Vairochana, Akshobhaya, Amitabha, Ratnasambhava, and Amoghasiddhi.
These Five Buddhas represent five paradises in five different directions i.e. Central, East, West, North, and South. In both Nepali Buddhism as well as Tibetan Buddhism, these Pancha Buddhas are represented in different Buddha statues, Buddha images, paintings as well as Thangkas, etc. The collection of Nepali Buddha statues must consist of a set of five Pancha Buddhas or it is considered incomplete. This state how much important the Pancha Buddhas are especially in Nepalese and Tibetan Buddhism.
Characteristics
The following shows the importance and characteristics of Pancha Buddhas in the life of Buddhist people.
Vairochana Buddha
Vairochana Buddha is considered as the supreme Buddha among Pancha Buddha. This Premordial Buddha represents the wisdom of Sunyata or essence of the Dharma realm meditation mudra. In Tibetan Buddhism, Pancha Buddha are drawn together in a mandala, it is always that Vairochana Buddha is in the center of Mandala. Vairochana Buddha statues are mostly depicted in white color and it is believed that if one meditate saying matra on Vairochana buddha, it helps to vanquish ingnorance. Vairocana Buddha Statues is quite popular among the Tibetan Buddha statues since the core of Jokhang temple is the Buddha image of Vairocana Buddha and Jokhang temple is one of the few important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Tibet.
Ratnasambhava Buddha
Ratnasambhava Buddha represents the South Skandha and is believed to reign over it just like other Buddha. Ratnasambhava Buddha statues is especially depicted in yellow color and represents richness. Ratnasambhava Buddha is shown in Varada Mudra, also known as Boon giving mudra, one of the different styles of Buddha statues. In Mandala, Ratnasambhava Budhda is shown facing South.
Amoghasiddhi Buddha
As the Buddha reigning over North Skandha, Amoghasiddhi Buddha is believed to protect or destroy every ounce of envy or jealousy from the heart of people who meditate on Amoghasiddhi Buddha. Amoghasiddhi Buddha statues are depicted in green color holding double vajra. Since he is represented as the protector from envy, Amoghasiddhi Buddha is shown in Abhaya mudra.
Akshobhaya Buddha
Among Pancha Buddhas, Akshobhaya Buddha is quite popular representations of Buddha. Akshobhaya Buddha is depicted in Blue color, holding vajra with left hand and touching the earth using earth touching Mudra. Akshobahaya Buddha is considered as the heavenly Buddha who reign over the eastern Paradise and represents the fifth Skandha. By meditating on the name of Akshobhaya Buddha, one can overcome any kind of anger as well as hatred.
Amitabha Buddha
In many Asian countries, Amitabha Buddha of Pancha Buddha is greatly respected and followed by large number of Buddhist people as well as Buddhist monks. Amitabha Buddha is also the heavenly Buddha who reign over the Western Paradise and is represented in red Color, holding lotus which symbolizes gentle and pure. Amitabha Buddha stands in the center of Pure Land which is considered as heavenly place where one can be free from all cycles of life. Only who speaks or meditate on Amitabha Buddha can go to Pure Land according to Buddhist doctrines of Amitabha Buddha. Two major Bodhisattvas i.e. Avalokiteshvara and Mahasthamaprapta are depicted with Amitabha Buddha statues.
These Pancha Buddha are greatly respected by Newari Buddhism as well as Nepali-tibetan Buddhist ethnicities. These five Buddhas of five different skandha shows the qualities of Living Buddha and depicted in form of crown known as Five Buddha Crown or Rig Nga in Tibetan Buddhism. One of the key features of Pancha Buddha statues is that the hand postures of each Pancha Buddha are not considered mudra if all five Buddha statues are not placed together.
Our Buddha statue collection provides different styles of antique Pancha Buddha statues, Nepal Tibet Buddha statues, Tibetan Buddha statues, and Buddha sculptures, based on the mudras, etc. You can view our onlince collection for rare, old and antique Pancha Buddha Statues.
Read More
