SANCHI STUPA

Source: IndianExpress

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Context

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stopped by the replica of the East Gate of Sanchi’s Great Stupa standing in front of Humboldt Forum museum in Berlin.

Basic Terms

What is a Stupa?

• A stupa is a Buddhist commemorative monument usually containing sacred relics of the Buddha or other venerable saints.
• The archetypal stupa is a hemispherical structure, whose origins can be traced to pre-Buddhist burial mounds found in India.

Read about stupas: 

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/buddhist-stupa-in-jajnagar

What is a Vihara?

• A residence for monks, used for living and educational purposes.
• Eg: Viharas at Ajanta and Ellora Caves.

What is a Chaitya?

• A prayer hall or temple in Buddhist architecture, often with a stupa at the end.
• Eg: Chaitya Hall at Karle.

About Great Stupa of Sanchi

• Sanchi, located in Madhya Pradesh, is one of India's most well-preserved and extensively studied Buddhist sites.
• The site is home to numerous stupas including the Great Stupa, built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC.

The Construction

Ashokan Origins

• The Great Stupa was commissioned to enshrine the religious relics of Buddha and his chief disciples.
• Initially, the stupa was a simple brick structure with a hemispherical dome or anda, symbolizing the Buddha’s burial mound.

Expansion During Shunga Period

• In 2nd century BC, the brick structure was expanded to twice its size and was covered with sandstone slabs.
• A circumambulatory path(pradakshina) was added around the stupa, surrounded by a stone railing (vedika).
• The harmika, a square railing atop the stupa, was added, symbolizing the abode of the gods.
• Above the harmika, the chattravalior three-tiered umbrella was installed, representing the Three Jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, dharma (Buddha’s teachings), and sangha (the Buddhist order).

Additions During the Satavahana Period

• The Satavahana dynastyadded four stone gateways or toranas in the 1st century BC to the 2nd century AD.
• These were positioned in the four cardinal directions (South, North, East, and West).
• Each gateway features two pillars with capitals that support three richly adorned architraves.
• The carvings depict scenes from the life of the Buddhaand the Jataka tales.

Gupta Period Additions

• During the Gupta period(4th century AD), Sanchi remained a thriving center for Buddhism.
• Additions included a Buddhist templeand a lion pillar.
• A victory inscriptionof Chandragupta II was added on the railing of the Great Stupa.

Rediscovery

• The site of Sanchi was rediscovered by General Henry Taylor in 1818.
• The first scientific excavation was led by Major Alexander Cunninghamand Lieutenant-Colonel F.C. Maisey in 1851.
• Many of the relics were taken to England.
• In 1920, the Bhopal Durbarinitiated efforts to reclaim the relics of Sariputra and Moggallana, Buddha’s chief disciples, which had been taken to the British Museum.
• After World War II, an agreement was reached between the Maha Bodhi Societyand the Bhopal Durbar to return the relics.

Other important Stupas

Stupa Name	Location	Built By	Time Period	Significance
Mahabodhi Stupa	Bodh Gaya, Bihar	Emperor Ashoka	3rd century BC	Marks the location where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment, part of UNESCO World Heritage site.
Dhamek Stupa	Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh	Gupta Kings (originally Ashoka)	5th century AD	Marks the spot where Buddha delivered his first sermon after enlightenment (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta).
Amaravati Stupa	Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh	Satavahanas	2nd century BC	One of the largest stupas of ancient India, once a major center of Buddhist learning.
Nalanda Stupa	Nalanda, Bihar	Gupta Dynasty	3rd-12th century AD	Part of the Nalanda University complex; built to enshrine the relics of Sariputra, Buddha’s disciple.
Shanti Stupa	Leh, Ladakh	Japanese Buddhist monk Nichidatsu Fujii	1991	Built to promote world peace and commemorate 2,500 years of Buddhism.
Ramabhar Stupa	Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh	Malla Dynasty	5th century BC	Believed to mark the cremation site of Gautama Buddha.
Deur Kothar Stupa	Rewa, Madhya Pradesh	Emperor Ashoka	3rd century BC	Important early Buddhist site, contains relics and evidence of early Buddhist presence in Central India.
Kesariya Stupa	Kesariya, Bihar	Licchavi Clan	3rd century AD	Largest stupa in the world by volume, believed to be built at the site where Buddha gave his final sermon.
Thotlakonda Stupa	Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh	Satavahanas	2nd century BC	Ancient Buddhist monastic complex, a center for religious studies and trade during its time.
Bharhut Stupa	Satna, Madhya Pradesh	Maurya Dynasty	3rd century BC	Known for its exquisite railings and gateways with detailed sculptures and carvings depicting Jataka tales.

Sources:

IndianExpress 

PRACTICE QUESTION Q:Consider the following statements about Kesariya Stupa: 1.The stupa contains the relics of Buddha. 2.This Buddhist site is located in Kushinagar. Which of the above statements is/are correct? a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2 Answer: d Explanation: 1st statement is incorrect:  The Kesariya Stupa is identified as a paribhogik stupa, that is, containing his belongings, and not a saririka stupa or a ‘relic stupa’. 2nd statement is incorrect: The Kesariya Stupa is situated in East Champaran District. It is located in the township of Kesariya, between two important Buddhist sites, Vaishali and Kushinagar.