Buddhist Stupa, Construction, History, Causes of Construction and Purposes

 

Buddhist Stupa, Construction, History, Causes of Construction and Purposes

 The stupa is a typical Buddhist construction found in abundance in the Eastern Continent and the islands of Asia.

 The ancient Buddhist stupas in which the relics of Gautama Buddha were preserved in ancient times were in the shape of a simple minaret. Before the spread of Buddhism in India, stupas were found in the form of a mound or tumuli.  These dunes sometimes had an umbrella-like canopy with a forest at the top.  The stupas found in Gandhara did not have fences, but the rectangular compound had rows of small temples.

 Stupa, Construction, History, Causes of Construction and Purposes

 The formal construction of the stupa took place during the Mauryan period.

 The salon has a bell-shaped building called Dagabha.  The temple is decorated with balconies in Java, and the multi-storied pagodas commonly seen in China, Korea and Japan, and in Cambodia, Laos and Burma, these stupas look pyramidal and conical.

 

  The ancient stupas of India and Pakistan are cap-shaped domed stone buildings enclosed on all sides.  The oldest stupa in India is the famous common stupa of Sanchi, which was built by Ashoka the Great in the 3rd century BC.

 Stupa, Construction, History, Causes of Construction and Purposes

Causes of construction

 According to the Director, Archaeological Department, Hyderabad Deccan, these circles were initially buried in which the sacred relics of Buddha were buried, but later along with these relics, coins and beads of this era were also buried as an expression of devotion.  Devotees then began to build stupas on the remains of Buddhist companions, which are found all over the Buddhist world without change.  The idea of ​​preserving sacred relics later spread to the preservation of sacred writings.

 

 Some of the most famous Buddhist stupas

 

 Kunala Stupa

 

 To the southeast of Taxila, on a 200-meter-high hill, is a stupa known as the Eye of the Beholder.  According to Tripathi, the third son of Ashoka the Great who ruled for eight years (237-229 BC) was called Kanal. It is said that he was named Kanal because of his beautiful eyes.  Her stepmother, Tishyaksha, had fallen in love with her step-son out of jealousy or, according to some, with beautiful eyes. A stupa was erected north of Sarkap to commemorate the tragic incident at the spot where Kanal's eyes were drawn.  The prayers of the Buddhist monks and the stitching of their tears slowly brought light to Kanal's dim eyes.  Buddhist pilgrims suffering from various eye diseases used to come here and pray for healing.

 The books of South India simply passed by calling this prince blind.  Chinese tourist Hyun Sang has also mentioned this stupa in his writings.

 Stupa, Construction, History, Causes of Construction and Purposes

Stupa of eye gift.

 

 Near Charsadda, between the present and old course of the Kabul River, there are very wide and high hill-like mounds.  The largest mound is 65 feet high.  At one end of it are the remains of a broken tower built in small stones in Gandhara style masonry.  According to Hyun Sang (629 AD), this is the place where the Buddha (Sakya Mani) when he was still a Buddhist equator (the spiritual place before attaining the position of Buddha) had closed his eyes every time in a thousand births before him.  And where Ashoka built a stupa and a monastery.

 Fahyan mentions this stupa in 400 AD that a pagoda was built here which was decorated with gold and silver.

 Stupa, Construction, History, Causes of Construction and Purposes

 Black Stupa, that Dam.

 It is not known when the stupa was built, but there is a strong possibility that it was built in the 16th century.  The stupa is also said to have once housed a seven-headed serpent who was the protector of the city's inhabitants.  After the defeat of Laos by the Thai army in 1827, Thai soldiers took off the gold mounted on the stupa and took it with them.  This stove has been in the same condition ever since.  However, even today the locals come here for worship, lay flowers, light candles and leave with prayers.

 

Stupa of Mankiala near GT Road Rawat.

 

 According to one tradition, this stupa was built during the reign of Kanishka. According to another tradition, Ashoka the Great built 84 such stupas where the relics of Buddha were buried. Stupa hat or stupa.  They would bury it and make a mountain of clay on top of it. The bigger the mountain, the more comfort and relaxation would be provided to those who left the world.  Accessories, for example, food, clothing, jewelry and tools are also buried so that all the necessities can be provided as soon as the new born is born.

 

Stupa of Shapola

 Preservation work on the 2000-year-old Buddhist stupa in Shapola, Khyber District, by the Directorate of Archeology and Museums, KP.

 This project is being implemented by KITE Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Integrated Tourism Development Project in collaboration with World Bank.