R ELIC S , S T PA S A N D

D EV O TIO N
H arvey Article

Writing alongside other scholars who

interpret the stpa in terms of a
larger Indian, Vedic context
Bases his interpretation
mainly on Saci stpa
O ther Types ofStpas
Stpas and O ther VisualCues
At first, this Buddha was reluctant to discuss
funeral rites
His body should be treated the same as a great
king
A stpa should be placed where many people can
see it, and should gladden the heart
Reminder that a Buddha existed, that its possible
to become free from suffering
On a more basic level, reminder to have less anger
and attachment, more patience and compassion
Opportunity for merit through respect and offering
Stpas and Relics

After cremation, Buddhas ashes,

teeth, robes and bowl were
distributed to create eight stpas
(relics)

Emporer Aoka (ca. 270-323 BCE)

opened these up, divided them
further
 "He who sees the dharma sees me; he
who sees me sees the dharma
Stpas are objects of devotion, also
maps for meditation
Stpas are an embodiment (not just a
representation) of a Buddhas body,
speech and mind
Contain physical remains (body), scriptures
(speech); the stpa itself is mind
Buddhas body (kya): physical form
(including remains) are form body (rpa-
kya); also dharma-body (dharma-kya)
O ther Popular Buddhist Im ages

Early art: aniconic (no Buddha

images)
Earliest iconic representations (e.g., statues)
date to the 2nd century CE
Lotus flower
In the world but
not of it, beauty
rising out of
(and transcending)
suffering
Buddhas Footprint
A Buddha was here, and left the
teachings
Dharma wheels on hands and feet (one
of the 32 major marks of a Buddha)
Dharma wheels themselves symbolize
the teachings, particularly the 8-fold
path
Typologies ofBuddhist Practice

Kammatic
Make merit for better rebirth

Nibbanic
Practice in order to attain realization and
freedom from suffering

Apotropaic (turn away, ward off)

Ward off dangers; live a healthy and long
life
Popular Practices
Mainly revolve around obtaining
merit (or, good karma) and warding
off danger
These are Kammatic and Apotropaic
Circumambulating (keeping to the
right)
Prostrations
Offering incense, flowers, candles
Vows of conduct (prevent harmful
actions, habituate beneficial actions)
Meditating (amatha, Vipayana)
 Buddhist Cosm ologies as Refl
ected
in Stpas

Borobudur: Three Realms

Desire Realm (kma-dhtu)
Form Realm (rpa-dhtu)
Formless Realm (arpya-dhtu)
Meditative state of cessation
(nirodha) can lead to rebirth in the
form or formless realms
Stpa as Cosm ology