Mahaparinirvana Stupa – Stupa of the Great Perfect Nirvana
See it in the Museum
Emporium
Orientation 2
Furniture 3
ABR 003
Code: ABR 003
Country: Tibet (central)
Style:
Date: 1150 - 1350
Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 10.4 x 52.3 x 10.4
Materials: Brass
Mahaparinirvana Stupa – “Stupa of the Great Extinction”
The stupa, or chöten in Tibetan, is a significant religious monument in Buddhism and serves as a reliquary for the remains of eminent masters. Stupas are also portable works of art created from precious materials, as is the case here.
In Tibet, stupas all 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. Tibetan stupas are often found in groups of eight, each representing one of the eight key events in the Buddha's life: birth, victory over Mara, first teaching, miracles, descent from Tushita Heaven, taming of the raging elephant, prolongation of his lifetime, and final extinction.
This stupa commemorates the Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana, his “passing away beyond suffering” or complete extinction. Unlike the usual models, the round base is formed by a lotus rather than a square pedestal. The distinctive bell-shaped dome is circular, adorned with two lines and topped by a balustrade. Above it, discs of decreasing diameter are stacked to form a cone, topped by a parasol and the symbols of the sun and moon along with a swirling scarf. At the pinnacle is a small effigy of a blazing triple gem representing the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. In Tibet, this type of stupa is also called “Kadampa stupa”—named after the Tibetan school founded by the Indian master Atisha.
The stupa, or chöten in Tibetan, is a significant religious monument in Buddhism and serves as a reliquary for the remains of eminent masters. Stupas are also portable works of art created from precious materials, as is the case here.
In Tibet, stupas all 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. Tibetan stupas are often found in groups of eight, each representing one of the eight key events in the Buddha's life: birth, victory over Mara, first teaching, miracles, descent from Tushita Heaven, taming of the raging elephant, prolongation of his lifetime, and final extinction.
This stupa commemorates the Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana, his “passing away beyond suffering” or complete extinction. Unlike the usual models, the round base is formed by a lotus rather than a square pedestal. The distinctive bell-shaped dome is circular, adorned with two lines and topped by a balustrade. Above it, discs of decreasing diameter are stacked to form a cone, topped by a parasol and the symbols of the sun and moon along with a swirling scarf. At the pinnacle is a small effigy of a blazing triple gem representing the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. In Tibet, this type of stupa is also called “Kadampa stupa”—named after the Tibetan school founded by the Indian master Atisha.