The Sanchi Stupa
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The Sanchi Stupa Buddhism shares the goal of overcoming the suffering and attainment of Nirvana, the ultimate state of soteriological release. Why not experience the sterling teaching of Gautam Buddha at the great Sanchi Stupa, the monument reflecting gem of Buddhist art and architecture? Sanchi Stupa is one of the oldest stone structures in India built during the Mauryan period. The sculptures, monuments and lush gardens of Sanchi Stupa have been designated as the World Heritage site by UNESCO. Sanchi Stupa History The foundation stone of Shanchi Stupa was laid by one of the greatest emperors of India, Ashoka, the instigator of the Maurya dynasty. He commissioned the inception of Stupas to redistribute the mortal remains of Lord Buddha in the third century BCE. This huge hemispherical dome is 54 ft. high, comprising of a central chamber where the relics of Buddha have been placed. The hemispherical edifice of present-day Sanchi Stupa is double in diameter. The wife of Ashoka, Queen Devi and their daughter Vidisha supervised the construction of this monument. A sandstone pillar that has the inscriptions of Schism Edict by Ashoka along with ornated spiral Brahmi characters resembling conch shells referred to ‘Shankhalipi’ was also established in the site. The lower portion of the Sanchi Stupa is still grounded, whereas, the upper portions are kept under a canopy called Chattra.
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Sanchi Stupa is one of the oldest stone structures in India built during the Mauryan period. The sculptures, monuments and lush gardens of Sanchi Stupa have been designated as the World Heritage site by UNESCO
Transcript of The Sanchi Stupa
The Sanchi Stupa
Buddhism shares the goal of overcoming the suffering and attainment of Nirvana, the ultimate state of soteriological release. Why not experience the sterling teaching of Gautam Buddha at the great Sanchi Stupa, the monument reflecting gem of Buddhist art and architecture?
Sanchi Stupa is one of the oldest stone structures in India built during the Mauryan period. The sculptures, monuments and lush gardens of Sanchi Stupa have been designated as the World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Sanchi Stupa History
The foundation stone of Shanchi Stupa was laid by one of the greatest emperors of India, Ashoka, the instigator of the Maurya dynasty. He commissioned the inception of Stupas to redistribute the mortal remains of Lord Buddha in the third century BCE. This huge hemispherical dome is 54 ft. high, comprising of a central chamber where the relics of Buddha have been placed.
The hemispherical edifice of present-day Sanchi Stupa is double in diameter. The wife of Ashoka, Queen Devi and their daughter Vidisha supervised the construction of this monument. A sandstone pillar that has the inscriptions of Schism Edict by Ashoka along with ornated spiral Brahmi characters resembling conch shells referred to ‘Shankhalipi’ was also established in the site. The lower portion of the Sanchi Stupa is still grounded, whereas, the upper portions are kept under a canopy called Chattra.
In a larger sense the stupa is also a cosmic symbol. Its hemispherical shape represents the world egg.
Stupas commonly rest on a square pedestal and are carefully aligned with the four cardinal points of the
compass. This is a recurrence of the symbolism of the dome whereby Earth supports Heaven and
Heaven covers Earth.
Other Sacred Sites of India
Amarnath Cave, Kashmir
Bodhi Tree, Bodh Gaya
Buddhist Pilgrimage in India
The Golden Temple, Amritsar
About Sacred sites
Sacred sites: Places of Peace and Power discusses the mythology, archaeology and history of sacred
sites, and also presents a fascinating explanation of the miraculous phenomena that occur at them
