Question

How did the construction of stupas contribute to the spread of Buddhist teachings? Explain with examples.

Answer 1

1. Stupas were constructed at sites considered sacred due to their association with significant events in the Buddha's life or as repositories for his relics.
2. For instance, stupas were built at Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment, and at Sarnath, where he delivered his first sermon.
3. These sacred sites became major centers of pilgrimage for Buddhists, attracting devotees from distant regions.
4. Stupas often featured intricate carvings, reliefs, and inscriptions that depicted scenes from the Buddha's life, as well as Jataka tales, which narrated stories of the Buddha's past lives. For example, at Sanchi, carvings such as the Wheel, Tree, Shalabhanjika, Gajalakshmi, and Serpents served as visual narratives to convey Buddhist teachings, especially to illiterate audiences. These artistic elements helped to communicate complex religious principles in an accessible manner.
5. The architectural design of stupas carried symbolic significance. The dome, for example, represented the Buddha's enlightenment and other core Buddhist principles. Worshippers followed a specific ritual path, entering through the eastern gateway and walking around the mound in a clockwise direction, imitating the sun's course through the sky.
6. Prominent stupa sites include Sanchi, Amaravati, and Shahji-ki-Dheri. Each of these sites reflects the deep religious and cultural importance of stupas in Buddhist tradition.