| Foreword | The Origin of Stupas | |||
| How to Contribute? | Symbolism | Project Expenditures | Project Update |
The Symbolism of a Stupa
The foundation is the very basis on which the stupa is being built. It should be a very harmonious and a pure place free of the ten non-virtuous actions: a solid foundation of ethical discipline.
Above that level, comes the throne where the actual stupa will be placed. There should be eight or four lions supporting the throne. The lion is the king of the animals and can live without fear in the wild. Upon the basis of the ethical discipline of not committing the ten non-virtuous actions one can travel the path of the practices fearlessly.
The first four layers, or steps, of the stupa are the paths in which one engages to gain the realisations. The first step represents the Four Forms of Mindfulness. The next is called the Four Perfect Abandonments. The next represents the Four Miraculous Feats.
The Four Miraculous Feats, the Four Forms of Mindfulness and so on are gained by practising the Path. These are increasingly superior realisations; as one goes step by step in the practices one obtains the powers or attainments.
On top of the throne is the circle of the lotus flower, which is the highest realisation of the previous set of attainments - the Five Powers.
The dome-like round part symbolises the vase, and where the actual Buddha is situated generally symbolises the celestial mansion of the enlightened beings.
On top of the vase is a square shape. This represents the eight superior paths, which means the practitioner has gained the higher realisations. The practitioner has now realised selflessness directly.
On top of that square stands the life channel of the stupa, which has thirteen layers.
Speaking generally of Buddhist practices, there are three main types. The foundation or Base; the Path; and the final stage, or the Result.
The stupa shows all three:
The Base is the foundation - on such an ethical foundation one practises, and from that level to the square on top of the dome is the Path, where one trains. Then the next thirteen rings are levels which represent the Result of the practices that one attains.
On the very top is the umbrella, which represents the great compassion of the Buddha: that through his great compassion he helps all sentient beings.
Above the umbrella are the moon and the sun, and these two represent Bodhicitta - the altruistic intention to bring all beings out of suffering and into the bliss of Enlightenment. There are two types of Bodhicitta, the conventional and the ultimate. The moon symbolises conventional Bodhicitta and the sun ultimate Bodhicitta. On top of both the sun and the moon is the bindu - the final result, which is Enlightenment or Buddhahood.
The benefits of supporting the stupa are innumerable. Individual benefits include receiving many virtues that will become a cause for the attainment of liberation and enlightenment. One will also be able to help others achieve their aims through engaging in such virtuous activities.
By making prostrations and offerings to it, and circumambulation around it, one receives huge virtue.
The benefits you receive from building a stupa equal the number of atoms of the stupa, and these benefits exist as long as the stupa exists. Sentient beings accumulate extensive merit by making offerings to holy objects, and from this merit happiness comes.
The continued existence and flourishing of the teachings of the Buddha depend upon the continued existence of the holy objects of Buddha.
| Foreword | The Origin of Stupas | |||
| How to Contribute? | Symbolism | Project Expenditures | Project Update |