A shape that carries meaning
A stupa is a monument that traditionally holds relics or marks a sacred event, and it is one of the oldest forms in Buddhist architecture. Its basic parts are fairly consistent, though proportions and ornament vary widely. The meanings assigned to them are traditional readings that differ between teachers, schools and regions, so what follows is a summary, not a single official explanation.
The foundation and base (medhi)
The lowest part is a platform, sometimes round and sometimes square or stepped. At Sanchi stupa it is a raised circular terrace on which pilgrims could walk. In Himalayan stupas the base is often a set of square terraces. Many monuments also have a paved path around the base and a stone railing (vedika) around the whole. The path allows visitors to circle the stupa, which is the basic ritual action described under circumambulation practice.
In the Tibetan tradition, a common reading takes the square base as the element of earth, giving stability. Other traditions do not use this scheme.
The dome (anda)
The dome rises above the base and is the main body of the stupa. In early Indian stupas it is a hemisphere, often solid and made of brick or stone. In the Great Stupa at Sanchi it is faced with stone, and relics were placed in small chambers within the structure. In Tibetan chortens it becomes a vase or bell shape, as noted at from stupa to chorten.
The dome has been read as a burial mound, a symbol of the cosmos, or the awakened mind. In the Tibetan five-element scheme it corresponds to water. In Sri Lanka, big domes at Anuradhapura stupas are called dagabas and are made of brick.
Inside, the relics are often held in a casket. For how those were arranged, see relic caskets.
The harmika
On top of the dome there is usually a small square enclosure, the harmika. It appears like a railed box. In early forms it may represent a sacred precinct or a heavenly palace on top of the world mountain, and it is the base for the mast. In Tibetan stupas the harmika is enlarged, and the Eyes of Wisdom seen at Boudhanath Stupa are painted on its sides. Even this is a later tradition and does not appear in earlier Indian examples.
The mast and umbrellas (yasti and chattra)
Rising from the harmika is a central pole (yasti) bearing one or more stacked umbrellas (chattra). The umbrella was a sign of royal honour in ancient India, so stacking it above the relic indicates the highest respect. The umbrellas may symbolise the stages of the path or the levels of attainment, and in many Tibetan stupas their number is thirteen, sometimes read as the thirteen stages leading to enlightenment. Other traditions give different counts.
Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath, by contrast, is a solid, cylindrical tower with ornamented bands. It shows that the parts can be adapted considerably.
The spire and finial
In Southeast Asian and Himalayan forms, the umbrellas are merged into a tapering spire. At the very top there may be a crescent and sun, a jewel or a flame. In the Tibetan scheme the cone is fire, the crescent is air and the top jewel is space or consciousness. In Myanmar, the Shwedagon Pagoda ends in a finial with a jewelled top, with ornaments sometimes called the hti. The details differ widely.
Reading the whole stupa
Some traditions read the stupa as a seated Buddha: the base as the folded legs, the dome as the body, the harmika as the head and the spire as the crown. Others treat it as a model of Mount Meru and the cosmos; see Mount Meru symbolism and Buddhist cosmology. A broader discussion of the idea is under stupa symbolism.
Because these readings are layered later interpretations, it is wise to treat any single explanation as one voice among many. Where a monastery or guide gives its own account, that account is the local tradition for that place.
Other features
Look for these additional elements at stupa sites:
- Gateways (torana) at the cardinal directions, as at Sanchi.
- Niches holding images, especially in later stupas.
- Inscriptions recording donors.
- Lamps and offering tables for devotees.
- Prayer wheels around the base, in Tibetan areas.
Visiting a stupa
Walk clockwise, keep voices low and dress modestly. Do not climb on the structure or touch relics or offerings. Some stupas are archaeological sites with set hours and fees, others are active places of worship. Conditions, access and rules change, so check current official sources.