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The Great Stupa at Sanchi is a grandiose architectural structure associated with Buddhism. There are several components essential to understanding this work—such as the people involved and the purpose and symbolism built into it. Emperor Ashoka is responsible for creating the Great Stupa at Sanchi.
While filling the role of the Warrior King, he Ashoka became enraged by the death and violence caused by the war, and as a result decided to promote nonviolence and Buddhism. During his quest to spread Buddhist teaching, he erected “as many as 8,400 shrines and monuments to Buddha throughout the empire.”
The most famous of these is the Great Stupa at Sanchi. Ashoka scattered Buddha's remains at many of these buildings. (Sayre, Discovering Humanities).
Emperor Ashoka used symbolism in the Great Stupa to represent important events in Buddha's life. Lotuses and elephants symbolize birth and "spiritual growth.” Lochtefeld says, "his mother became pregnant when a white elephant appeared in a dream and tapped her on the abdomen with the lotus it was holding in its trunk.” Trees are a symbol for enlightenment, and acknowledge the tree Buddha sat under during his journey to enlightenment.
The wheel found on the top of the entering structure represents the turning of the “wheel of Dharma,” when Buddha preached his four noble truths.
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(Lochtefeld, Carthage). The Stupa itself is symbolic of the after life, and Buddha asked for his remains to be placed in a Stupa. In his textbook Discovering Humanities, Henry Sayre says that the "hemispheric dome" of the Stupa is symbolic of the dome of “heaven.” (Sayre, Discovering Humanities). Buddha and his Four Noble Truths are crucial to understanding the religious context of the Great Stupa at Sanchi. Prince Siddhartha Gautama, or Buddha, was born to a Shakya ruler.
Buddha was not happy with the suffering humans struggled with, and left his lavish life to find a resolution. He lived in the wilderness for six years until he reached enlightenment in Bodh Gaya. When he became enlightened, he decided to create the Four Noble Truths, an important part of Buddhism. (Sayre, Discovering Humanities). In Chris Kang's writing Sakar on the Buddha's Four Noble Truths, he summarizes the Four Noble Truths. He says the first states that life is unsatisfying, also called "dukkha.” The second claims that the cause of dukka is ignorance, or "tanhā-avijjā.” The third Noble Truth suggests that to end dukkha, one must become liberated.
The final Noble Truth is that one must follow the Eightfold Path to be liberated and stop their suffering. (Kang, Sakar). The Great Stupa at Sanchi is a beautiful architectural monument, it is rich in detail and is visually appealing. It is a neutral tan color, and is almost entirely monochromatic. A short wall consisting of horizontal log-shaped figures surrounds the Stupa. There is a large structure allowing guests to enter and exit this monument, and the top of it is adorned with figures. There are three horizontal rows on this figure, each decorated with animals such as elephants, birds, sheep, and flowers.
In between the rows are human figures on and around the animals. Some figures are carrying objects above their heads, while others are standing with their hands in a "praying" position in front of them. All figures look similar and are dressed in identical clothing with relaxed facial expressions. The Great Stupa itself is an enormous egg-shaped structure, made of brick. It is surrounded by a walkway for guests to pass through. (Sayre, Discovering Humanities). Buddhism and Christianity may be different, but there are similarities.
First, both religions believe in life after death. Buddhists believe in a "repetitive cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth.” Christianity believes in heaven and hell, and Christians only have one life on earth. Another similarity between the two religions is a code of ethics—“basic rule of behavior which governs how they are to treat others”. Buddhists practice says that one should not act in a way that they would find hurtful, if done to themselves.. (Robinson, Comparison). This is similar to Christianity, because Matthew 7:12 states, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them."
The Stupa does not compare to any Christian buildings. The most important building in the Christian faith is a church, which serves the purpose of worshipping. (Aitken, The Holy Bible ) The Great Stupa at Sanchi is inspired by Buddhism. Emperor Ashoka employed symbolism while creating this grand monument, and it is important to understand the religion while viewing or visiting the Stupa.
Works Cited
The Symbol of the Great Stupa and Sanchi, an Architectural Monument in India. (2021, Dec 20). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/the-symbol-of-the-great-stupa-and-sanchi-an-architectural-monument-in-india-essay
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