Great Stupa at Sanchi Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

When was the Great Stupa at Sanchi built?

  • 5th century CE
  • 2nd century CE
  • 1st century BCE
  • 3rd century BCE- 1st century CE (correct)
  • 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?

    <p>A reliquary where worshipers gain spiritual merit</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a staircase in the stupa connect?

    <p>The base to the drum</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do Buddhists walk clockwise around the stupa?

    <p>Because it is the way of the sun's course</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the shape of the Great Stupa at Sanchi?

    <p>A giant mandala hemisphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Great Stupa act as?

    <p>A connection of earth and heaven</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do the three umbrellas at the top of the stupa symbolize?

    <p>The three gems of Buddhism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is located in the square area of the stupa?

    <p>A tree surrounded by a fence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are toranas in the context of the Great Stupa?

    <p>Elaborate gateways at cardinal points</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A Buddhist shrine that is a mound shape and faced with dressed stone containing the relics of Buddha is called a ______.

    <p>stupa</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does circumambulating the stupa represent?

    <p>The endless cycle of birth and rebirth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What were the original colors of the Great Stupa?

    <p>Originally painted white</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the hemispherical dome of the stupa replicate?

    <p>The dome of heaven</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many toranas are there at the Great Stupa?

    <p>Four</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do the orientations of the toranas represent?

    <p>The sun's course</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The inscriptions carved into the stupa reveal that it was funded by ______.

    <p>women, men, and monks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is believed to have built the Great Stupa?

    <p>The Mauryan emperor Ashoka</p> Signup and view all the answers

    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.

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