The 8 Great Buddhist Stupas

Buddhism is a set of ideologies and spiritual practices based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who is commonly known as Buddha, which means the Awakened One. Buddha's enlightened teachings during 400 BCE emphasized ending earthly sufferings by escaping samsara or the cycle of suffering and rebirth and achieving ultimate serenity in Nirvana.

A stupa is a spiritual monument, according to The Stupa Information Page that symbolizes an enlightened mind and the path of realization. The stupa represents the Buddha's body, mind, and awakened spirit with every part of the monument symbolizing a different part of the path to Nirvana.

Stupa is equivalent to the Tibetan word chorten, which means the basis of offering. The Immeasurable Benefits of Stupas tells the origin of the stupa comes from the story of Ananda and Buddha. Buddha explains the importance and beneficial significance of constructing a stupa. The Venerable Thupten Rinpoche said if one can construct stupas and "make offerings...there is no doubt that it will bring immense merit."

According to Robert Beer's The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs, there are 8 Great Buddhist Stupas, which reflect to major events in Guatama Buddha's life and teachings.

The Lotus Blossom Stupa symbolizes the birth of Buddha. At his birth it is said Buddha took seven steps in each of the four directions, east, south, west, north, from which lotuses sprang, symbolizing the path of the four immeasurable, love, compassion, joy, and equanimity. Beer explains that lotuses are one of the eight auspicious symbols of Buddhism because of its purity and divinity. The father of Buddha constructed the Lotus Blossom Stupa to commemorate the birth of a divine soul.

The Mara or Enlightenment Stupa erected after the conquest of Mara, after which Guatama Buddha became enlightened.

The Stupa of Many Doors represents the Buddha's first turning of the wheel of dharma. At the steps of the stupa Buddha taught the basic ideals to his first students using the different series of doors, which symbolize the Four Noble Truths, the six perfections, the Eightfold Path, and the twelve links in the chain of dependent origination.

The Stupa of Great Miracles commemorates various inconceivable miracles performed by Buddha. At Shravasti, Buddha overpowered many demons and heretics and the Lichavi tribe constructed the stupa to celebrate the miracles.

The Stupa of Descent from the God Realm marks Buddha's descent from the heaven of thirty-three gods. During this time he taught the teachings of dharma to the reincarnated form of his mother, repaying her kindness in having given birth to him before she died.

The Stupa of Reconciliation signifies Buddha uniting the disputing factions within Sangha, the community of monks in Tibet. The conflict was caused by the Buddha's evil cousin, named Devadatta, but through magical transformations and the help of his disciples Buddha brought about resolution.

The Stupa of Complete Victory symbolizes Buddha's prolonged death. During the construction of this stupa Buddha was in his eighties. Buddha was able to hone the ability to control his life span by deciding to remain on earth another three months, though he realized he must one day die.

The Stupa of Nirvana refers to the death of Buddha. It symbolizes Buddha's completion to absorb his highest state of mind and reach Nirvana.

None of the original eight great commemorative stupas that symbolize Buddha's life remain intact. As centuries past the stupas began to crumble and restorations were accomplished only by erecting larger stupas over the remains of those that previously stood.