ME23

BUDDHHIST ART AND ARCHITECTURE

ME23  05-04-2011         (3:00 to 4:00)

The Origin of Stupa

-------------------------

The stupa, there are various names in different country, have its own names: Tap in Korea, That in Laos, Ta in China and Pagoda in Japan ,etc,. 

Stupa is considered as the prominent architectural structure, in Sri Lanka. There are various views about the origin. The most accepted view is the stupa originated from Funeral mound. The stupa supposed to be the architectural device within a triangle that triangle is considered to be the primary plan of the stupa.Therefoer, stupa originated from this type of mounds which are raised man of soil.

The Hindu religion grow used this pole as a symbol of sacrificial important. They made sacrifices under this YUPA pole. The YUPA, pole is to be a prominent symbol.There is also a symbol of celestial trees. According to Buddhist, this is a tree which was divine and a belief had been recording the capability of a Buddha attaining the Buddha-hood under this tree. Furgoson says, India was two types of S’mashana; one was square shape, the other was circular shape. Had made stupa with the enshrine of dead body after the cremation, in India. 

According to ‘Mahāparinibbāna Sutta,’ the Buddha mentioned the four people who are the worthy of construction of a stupa. They are;
          1. Buddha
          2. Pacceka-Buddha
          3. Arahant and
          4. Cakkavatti
During the life time of the Buddha, Stupa was constructed with the arahant of Ven.Sāriputta and Moggalāna. After the Buddha passed away, instructed him to construct as stupa in the middle of four crossed roads after cremating his body.

The famous of stupas in Sri Lanka
Srilanka is many famous of stupas.They are Thuparama, Mahathupa and Mirisavetiya etc,.There are, Thuparama is the first stupa constructed in Sri Lanka. King Devānampiyatissa erected this stupa in the 250-210 B.C after Buddhism was introduced by Arehath Mahinda Himi. According to Thupavamsa at the very beginning, it took the shape of a heap of paddy. King Vasamha constructed the stupaghara. Mahāthupa was built by King Dutugamunu during the second century BC. It became very famous than all the other stupas. The foundation of this stupa was very firm and took the shape of a bubble. This stupa has three circular terraces built of bricks at the base. King Saddhatissa built the square structure about the Dome and also Chatra.

Mirisavetiya has been built by King Dutugamunu and this belong to the Mahavihara complex. But the body of the stupa still remained. This stupa is important with regard to Srilanka architectures.

Six types of patterns of Stupa
The architecture of ancient Sri Lanka displays a rich variety of architectural forms and styles from the Anurādhapūra to Kandy. There are various patterns of architecture of stupa in Sri Lanka.The following six types of patterns of Stupa,they are- Bubbulākāra (Bubble shape), Dharyākāra( Heap of paddy shape), Padmākāra(Lotus shape), Ghathākāra (Bell shape), Ghatākāra (pot shape),and Āmalākāra( Myrobalan). Therefore, the Stupas of Sri Lanka started from the very beginning take various shapes this can be considered as a beauty of architectural patterns.

The eight great deeds
There are two reasons stupas were built after the historical Buddha Sakkyamuni die; To commemorate eight great deeds accomplished,. The eight great deeds are Birth, Enlightenment, Turning of the Wheel, Miracles, Decent from Tushita, Reconciliation, Complete Victory and Parinibbāna. Therefore, the Buddhist followers were built the structure of the stupas. The structure of the stupa indicates religious important and symbol of Dhamma.

Ten steps of stupa
There are ten steps to build the structure of the stupa, they are Sand terrace, Stone terrace, Base Moulding, Three terraces, Dome, Square enclosure, Section of the deities, Spire, Pinnacle and Crest Jewel.
There are three important facts in architecture. They are-
     Esthetic value
     Rituals
     Utility
Architectures of Sri lanka is different from India. Although we got arts and crafts from India, our architects will skillful.

Copier - Ashin Indaka (Kyone Pyaw)