s t u p a s F I R S T

Stupas were originally memorial burial mounds. When Gotama died his cremated remains were divided into eight heaps and stupas built over each. A lot of stupas were built in later years to help us remember the wisdom and compassion of other great saints and to contemplate their enlightenment. As well as the remains of great beings, stupas can also contain sacred scriptures and other precious, religious objects. A stupa has a spire on the top, like on a church. In rising up it reminds us of the great qualities of Gotama - kindness, compassion, generosity and especially enlightenment. These qualities are ssomething we can all rise up to.

The two elephants below, kneel before a stupa, honouring this symbol of the Buddha and his enlightenment. They have lotus flowers in their trunks as an offering. Elephants are symbols of royalty and this carving shows that even kings bow to the Buddha. Notice the pattern of the wheel repeated across the top of this panel. The stone block - now in the British Museum - was part of India's Amaravati stupa.