E V O L U T I O N  >
 

T E C H N O L O G Y

ADDING RESPECT

A common religious principle is the ‘raising up’ of that which is seen as important. We talk of raising consciousness, of lifting the heart or mind. There is an idea of heaven as being ‘up there’. So to give more respect to the relics being enshrined a base was added ‘under’ the dome. It is difficult to establish precise dates and the addition of a base may have either preceeded or synchronised with the construction of a reliquary. This box-like addition can be clearly seen in the picture at right. With its addition the relics were no longer buried under the mound but placed on top of it, raising them even higher.


STYLISH

As the use of new materials and engineering techniques evolved so the possibility of building high and slender structures became possible. The reverence felt toward the deceased was initially expressed through the bulk mass of the stupa’s base but the ‘upward’ development became increasingly important. This would have been most notably affected by the addition of the cone with the extra height not only adding to its aesthetic value, but increasing its visibility from afar thus increasing its function as a memorial. Also, as transport systems developed, it became easier to move raw materials to sites that were previously too far away or inaccessible. This meant that hill tops were now able to be more easily used, thus adding even more height. A good example of this can be seen in the picture on the centre page.


Bodh Gaya, India Where the Buddha was enlightened.
Sanchi, India
Central Burma
Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Kumbum, Tibet
Nara, Japan