Stupa, Also Called 'Chorten,' Is Essay

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The base that supports the vase refers to the five forces in Buddhism, known as Bala. These are the force of Faith, the force of Energy, the force of Attention, the force of Concentration and the force of Knowledge. The particularities of the vase symbolize the seven branches of Buddhist awakening, referred to as Bodhyanga: total memory (of past lives), perfect knowledge of all Dharmas, diligence, ecstasy, concentration, tranquility and perfect mastery of all disciplines. The Tre located above the vase symbolizes the noble eightfold path made up of perfect view, understanding, speech, action, living, effort, attention and concentration. The tree of life symbolizes the tenfold knowledge of phenomena, mind, interdependent links, illusion, suffering, the origin of suffering, the cessation of suffering, the path leading to the cessation of suffering, destruction, non-appearance and the ten transcendental branches of knowledge. The umbrella and its support represent the State of a victorious one whereas the Moon symbolizes the elimination of all sufferings, and the Sun represents the radiating thousand lights of compassion.
The jewel atop the stupa is the symbol of the fulfillment of all wishes.

The particular importance of the stupa is derived from the fact that the monument comes to represent the saint in the sense that his body is not made up of mortar and stones rather than flesh and blood. In this sense, the stupa reveals the charisma of the Buddha as the prototypical Buddhist saint in a way more manifest than could his ordinary human body (Ray 328). In a legal perspective, the stupa is viewed as a "person," with legal rights and privileges as there are restrictions against anyone's taking and using the good belonging to the stupa (Ibid: 332). Moreover, as the incarnation of the Buddha, the stupa, once consecrated, is considered sacred at all times.

Ray, Reginald A. Buddhist Saints in India: A Study in Buddhist Values and Orientations. Oxford University Press U.S., 1999.

"Symbolic meaning of stupas." The Stupa Information Page.

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