4.7.2. How were stupas built?

Inscriptions found on the railings and pillars of stupas 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.

This chunk introduces the concept of inscriptions on stupas, which serve as historical records of the funding and construction of these structures. It highlights contributions from prominent kings and organized guilds, illustrating the community effort involved in building stupas. The Satavahanas, a royal dynasty, and guilds—groups of craftsmen or traders—played significant roles in this process, showcasing the collaborative nature of these projects.

Think of a public park being built today; contributions might come not only from the city council but also from local businesses and community fundraisers. Just like these modern examples, ancient stupas were constructed through a joint effort from various social sectors.

Hundreds of donations were made by women and men who mention their names, sometimes adding the name of the place from where they came, as well as their occupations and names of their relatives. Bhikkhus and bhikkhunis also contributed towards building these monuments.

This section emphasizes the wide array of contributors to stupa construction, including not just royalty and guilds but also ordinary women and men. Their personal inscriptions provide a rich demographic insight into the society of that time, showing that individuals from different backgrounds, including monks and nuns (bhikkhus and bhikkhunis), participated in these significant religious endeavors.

Just as you might find a brick with your family's name on it in a community building project, these inscriptions allowed individuals to leave their mark on a stupa, creating a sense of ownership and community pride among those who contributed.

The stupa (a Sanskrit word meaning a heap) originated as a simple semi-circular mound of earth, later called anda. Gradually, it evolved into a more complex structure, balancing round and square shapes. Above the anda was the harmika, a balcony-like structure that represented the abode of the gods.

This chunk describes the architectural evolution of the stupa from a simple mound of earth to a complex structure featuring an anda (the mound) and harmika (a balcony-like structure). The design represents a significant spiritual aspect, indicating that the harmika symbolizes a connection to the divine, indicating how architecture was not just functional but deeply symbolic in Buddhist culture.

Imagine how a small mound can evolve into a well-designed garden with gazebos and fountains, where each element (like the harmika) has its purpose—it creates a harmonious relationship between the earth and the heavens.

Around the mound was a railing, separating the sacred space from the secular world. The early stupas at Sanchi and Bharhut were plain except for the stone railings, which resembled a bamboo or wooden fence, and the gateways, which were richly carved.

Here, the chunk explains the presence of railings that physically delineated sacred from secular areas. The simplicity of early stupas, combined with richly carved gateways, illustrates the importance of ritual and decorum in worship practices. The railings not only served as a practical function but also added an element of reverence around the sacred space.

Think of the way a church or temple courtyard is often enclosed to mark it as a sacred space. The early stupas functioned in a similar way, making it clear to visitors where the sacred began and ended, enhancing the spiritual experience.

Worshippers entered through the eastern gateway and walked around the mound in a clockwise direction keeping the mound on the right, imitating the sun’s course through the sky. Later, the mound of the stupas came to be elaborately carved with niches and sculptures as at Amaravati, and Shah-ji-ki-Dheri in Peshawar.

This part details an important aspect of stupa worship—walking around the stupa in a clockwise manner, which symbolizes harmony with the cosmic order. The connection to the sun’s path reflects the spiritual beliefs of the time. Additionally, it mentions the later artistic developments that transformed simple mounds into elaborately carved structures, indicating the evolving craftsmanship and artistic priorities within Buddhist architecture.

Consider the tradition many cultures have of walking around a sacred object or site, like the Kaba in Mecca. This circular motion is a form of respect and spirituality, echoing the significance of such practices in Buddhist stupa worship as they honored the stupa's sanctity.

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