Stupas

Stupas have were around before the Buddha but became significant with Buddhism after his death. They are intended to be a shrine or burial spot where the relics (ashes) of the Buddha are placed. Eventually they became pilgrimage destinations. One worships at a stupa by walking around it in a clockwise motion while reciting your prayers. Originally there were eight great stupas where the Buddha’s ashes were placed, but were eventually removed to be placed in 84,000 stupas to make it less strenuous to practice.

This site was created by Dave Sexton at the NEH Summer Institute "Literatures, Religions, and Arts of the Himalayan Region," held at the College of the Holy Cross, Summer 2011