Question
Discuss how and why stupas were built.
Solution
Stupas symbolises the Parinibbana of the Buddha and it was built almost all the part of subcontinent where buddhism spread.
If we look at how Stupas were built, we find Inscriptions on the railings and pillars of stupas that record donations made for building and decorating them. Some donations were made by kings such as the Satavahanas; others were made by guilds, such as that of the ivory workers who financed part of one of the gateways at Sanchi. Hundreds of donations were made by women and men. Bhikkhus and bhikkhunis also contributed towards building these monuments.
Stupas were generally built to bury relics of buddha or objects used by him. As relics of buddha was buried there the mound was considered as sacred and people venerated. one of the main reason for building stupas were to immortalise the teaching of buddha and to show that even the enlightened master like buddha too has to die. The idea was to remind the people that nothing was permanent.
If we look at how Stupas were built, we find Inscriptions on the railings and pillars of stupas that record donations made for building and decorating them. Some donations were made by kings such as the Satavahanas; others were made by guilds, such as that of the ivory workers who financed part of one of the gateways at Sanchi. Hundreds of donations were made by women and men. Bhikkhus and bhikkhunis also contributed towards building these monuments.
Stupas were generally built to bury relics of buddha or objects used by him. As relics of buddha was buried there the mound was considered as sacred and people venerated. one of the main reason for building stupas were to immortalise the teaching of buddha and to show that even the enlightened master like buddha too has to die. The idea was to remind the people that nothing was permanent.
