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S T U P A   C O M P O N E N T S


A very simple model of the basic geometric components in a stupa

BASIC GEOMETRY

The three main components derive from basic geometric shapes – square, circle and triangle. In the stupa these can be seen in their three-dimensional forms: cube, sphere and cone.

The fourth component is the point at the very top of the cone. If you have studied maths you will know that a point has no physical existance. The ‘point’ of Buddhism is enlightenment which is similarly not a thing you can see or touch but only something that you can directly experience. On stupas it is represented by jewels because enlightenment is regarded as the most valuable and precious thing.
FORM
ELEMENT
REFUGE
TEACHING
JEWEL
NIBBANA
INSIGHT
CONE
BUDDHA
PAÑÑA
SPHERE
DHAMMA
SAMADHI
CUBE
SANGHA
SILA

THE PALI LANGUAGE

An examination of the Pali terms in the table above.
THE THREE REFUGES: Buddha - Dhamma - Sangha
A key part of being a Buddhist, often referred to as ‘The Three Jewels’ or ’The Triple Gem’. •• Sangha is the monks and nuns, who are seen to practise and preserve the teachings. They form the core, the foundation, of the Buddhist community; the day to day, down to earth connection with Buddhism.
•• Dhamma is teaching of the Buddha. It is truth, which like the sphere is complete, seamless. Teaching on truth helps life to flow freely like water.
•• Buddha is a pure state of enlightenment, full knowledge of Dhamma. Embodied in an historical figure, like fire it has form but is also insubstantial.
•• Nibbana is the goal of Buddhism. It is not no ‘thing’ but it is nowhere to be seen. Like air it has no form, taste or smell but it is vital to (a true or ‘complete’) life.

THE TEACHINGS:
The first three are a summary of the Eight-Fold Path:
•• Sila is morality and the foundation of spiritual practice.
•• Samadhi is concentration, a key element of the teaching.
•• Pañña is wisdom which leads to direct the experience of nibbana.
The various references to the Buddha’s teaching through the book need to be separately studied to usefully provide meaning as a theme for contemplation.


Guilded and stucco 15th century Thai stupa; restored in 1983.

THREE ELEMENTS OF THE TEACHING AND
THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH OTHER
SILA – SAMADHI – PAÑÑA  =  MORALITY – CONCENTRATION – WISDOM

A story:
Three boys going to visit the temple pass a flowering tree and think how nice it would be to offer some of the flowers at the shrine. The blooms are too high up for even the tallest to reach so they agree to work together. Sila kneels down on the ground to form a strong base or foundation. Pañña, the tallest, stands on his back but stretching to the limit of his reach feels unsteady. Samadhi is very strong and holds Pañña firmly. And so born of the combined efforts of the three it is finally wisdom that picks the beautiful flowers.