Replica of the Swayambhunath Stupa
  See it in the Museum
Emporium
Orientation 2
Furniture 4

ABR 073

 Code: ABR 073

  Country: Tibet

  Style:

  Date: 1600 - 1600

  Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 28.7 x 38.5

  Materials: Unknown

Stupa Swayambhunath

Reproduction of the stupa from Swayambhunath in Nepal
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, stupas are often found in groups of eight. Each of the eight stupas represents one of the eight most important events in the life of Buddha, which is expressed in eight different shapes. These events were: the birth at Lumbini; the victory over the mara (inner demons) at Bodhgaya; his first speech at Sarnath; the miracle at Sravasti; the descent from Tushita Heaven at Sankasya; the taming of the raging elephant at Rajagrha; the gift of honey from a monkey at Vaishali; and his death at Kushinagara.