Question

What are stupas? Responses Buddhist monasteries and shrines Buddhist monasteries and shrines - no response given Buddhist commemorative burial mounds Buddhist commemorative burial mounds - no response given war memorials war memorials - no response given Asoka's principles for moral law

Answer 1

Stupas are Buddhist commemorative burial mounds or architectural structures that house sacred relics associated with the Buddha or other important figures in Buddhism. They are often used as places of meditation and pilgrimage, and they symbolize the enlightened mind of the Buddha.

Stupas have a specific architectural form, typically featuring a dome shape (known as the "anda"), a square base (the "harmika"), and a spire (the "chhatra") that represents the axis mundi, or the connection between the earth and the heavens. They often serve as significant focal points in Buddhist monasteries and can be found in various styles throughout Asia, reflecting local cultural influences.

In the context of Asoka, the ancient Indian emperor who played a crucial role in spreading Buddhism, stupas were built to commemorate important events in the Buddha's life or to enshrine relics. Asoka's principles for moral law, often referred to as "Dhamma," emphasized non-violence, truthfulness, and the welfare of all beings, which he promoted through his edicts and the construction of stupas and other monuments.