Mahabodhi Stupa – “Stupa of the Great Enlightenment”
  See it in the Museum
Chapel
Orientation 5
Display 10

ABR 078

 Code: ABR 078

  Country: Tibet

  Style:

  Date: 1600 - 1800

  Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 3 x 6.5 x 2.9

  Materials: Gilt copper

Mahabodhi Stupa – “Stupa of the Great Enlightenment”

The stupa is a significant religious monument in Buddhism and serves as a reliquary for the remains of eminent masters. Stupas are also created from precious materials as portable works of art, as is the case here.

In Tibet, all stupas share a similar general structure with symbolism associated with the elements: a stepped square base for earth, a cylindrical “vase” for water, a conical spire for fire, a parasol for air, and at the top the sun and moon representing space and wisdom. They are often found in groups of eight, each stupa representing one of the eight most important events in the life of Buddha, which is expressed in a specific shape.

This stupa is a model of the original Mahabodhi Stupa “the stupa of the Great Enlightenment” at Bodhgaya in today’s northeastern India. Its shape is usually described as possessing four unadorned steps. It commemorates the victory of the Buddha-to-be over Mara, God of Death and Illusion. There, at the age of thirty-five, under the Bodhi tree, Shakyamuni attained the perfect Awakening. This stupa is attributed to king Bimbisara. This miniature example is represented supported by stylized rocks.

(Ref. Robert Beer 1999 p. 133)