Questions and Answers
When was the Great Stupa at Sanchi built?
Where is Sanchi located?
Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, India
What type of media is used in the Great Stupa's construction?
Stone masonry, Sandstone on dome
What is a stupa primarily used for in Buddhism?
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What does a staircase in the stupa connect?
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Why do Buddhists walk clockwise around the stupa?
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What is the shape of the Great Stupa at Sanchi?
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What does the Great Stupa act as?
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What do the three umbrellas at the top of the stupa symbolize?
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What is located in the square area of the stupa?
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What are toranas in the context of the Great Stupa?
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A Buddhist shrine that is a mound shape and faced with dressed stone containing the relics of Buddha is called a ______.
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What does circumambulating the stupa represent?
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What were the original colors of the Great Stupa?
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What does the hemispherical dome of the stupa replicate?
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How many toranas are there at the Great Stupa?
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What do the orientations of the toranas represent?
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The inscriptions carved into the stupa reveal that it was funded by ______.
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Who is believed to have built the Great Stupa?
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Study Notes
General Information
- Date of construction ranges from the 3rd century BCE to the 1st century CE.
- Located in Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Structure and Materials
- Built using stone masonry, primarily sandstone on the dome.
- Central plan featuring three umbrellas at the top symbolizing the key elements of Buddhism.
Function and Symbolism
- Serves as a reliquary for Buddhist relics; worshipers believe proximity grants spiritual merit.
- Represents a mound-shaped shrine facilitating early Buddhist worship.
- Circumambulation around the stupa allows followers to connect spiritually, reflecting the cycle of birth and rebirth.
Design Features
- Hemispherical dome symbolizes the dome of heaven, representing cosmological connections between earth and the heavens.
- A staircase provides access from the base to the drum for worshipers.
- Four toranas (gateways) at cardinal points serve as entrances with rich carvings representing pivotal Buddhist narratives.
Important Components
- Contains a sacred tree within a square, fenced for protection.
- The configuration includes a railing crest encircling the sacred tree and the three umbrellas.
Toranas and Reliefs
- Richly detailed with scenes; Buddha is symbolized by an empty throne or tree, not depicted directly.
- Features high-relief sculptures with imagery of yakshi figures representing fertility, and significant narratives like Buddha's virtue of generosity shown through an elephant.
Community Involvement
- Over 600 inscriptions on the stupa's surface indicate funding from a diverse group of donors, including both genders and monks.
- The effort to build the stupa is attributed to the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, who is believed to have housed the ashes of Buddha within it.
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Test your knowledge of the Great Stupa at Sanchi with these flashcards. Learn about its historical significance, architectural details, and cultural context. Perfect for students of Buddhism, architecture, or Indian history.
