What is a Stupa?Stupas are structures that represent Buddha's enlightened mind, Dharmakaya, and each part of the Stupa shows the path to Enlightenment. Building a Stupa is a very powerful way to purify negative karma and obscurations, and to accumulate extensive merit. In this way you can have realizations of the path to Enlightenment and be able to do perfect work to liberate suffering beings, who equal the sky, leading them to the peerless happiness of Enlightenment, which is the ultimate goal of our life. Stupas promote harmony, prosperity, longevity, good health, peace, and freedom from ignorance. They subdue fear, corruption, and pollution, and bring blessings to the environment in which they are built, to those who build them, and to those who visit and venerate them. In this way, Stupas ensure that the living quality of the Buddhist teachings will always be available.
Once a site for the Garden was chosen many prayers were said and the earth deities addressed to seek a blessing for the site and to remove any obstacles to the successful building of the Stupas. All those involved in the work must be sure to have the right motivation so that every aspect of a Stupa emanates the pure mind of Buddha.
Each Stupa in the Tibetan tradition sits upon a square base called the Lion’s Seat whose four sides refer to the four qualities of mind basic to the attainment of enlightenment. These are:- Love, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity. This base is then traditionally filled with jewels, precious texts and relics pertaining to the tradition of Stupa building. On the Lion’s Seat there are then built five steps which are representative of the progress of the mind towards enlightenment. Each step can be divided into two and alludes to the ten levels of Bodisattva realization.
Stupas in Tibet
The rounded form built on top of the steps is called the Bumpa. The Bumpa itself is representative of the seventeen levels of the Realm of Form.
Out of the Bumpa a spire forms and on top of that sit ornaments which together represent the four stages of the Formless Realm. In much the same way as the Stupa's outer manifestation mirrors that of pure mind, so too must its inner contents. Great emphasis is placed on the consciousness with which the objects within its form are made. The tradition is very particular in the way it states exactly what should be placed inside and in what manner they must be crafted to ensure the utmost purity.
A central axis called the Sog Shing, meaning “Life Stick” is made, and is traditionally carved from Sandalwood or Juniper. However, if it is not possible to obtain these woods, the wood of any tree which does not bear poisonous fruit can be used. Once the tree has been chosen, prayers and offerings are made to the Earth Spirits for permission to use it. A monk with full ordination vows must then craft the wood into a tapered shape and either carve or paint mantras over its surface. It is important that all materials used in this process are of the highest quality possible. At the tip of the Life Stick a picture of the Victory Stupa is made and at its base that of a half Dorje. Holes are made at the top and base and blessed relics, medicines and texts are placed inside. The Life Stick is then wrapped in precious materials and is fixed in place on the Lion’s Seat. It is long enough to protrude to the Stupa's highest point.
The Stupa is then filled with relics, like Tsa Tsas (small clay model of stupas or deities) which symbolically pertain to the utmost purity of mind. It is said that if the Stupa itself is the representation of Buddhas' body then the Relics are the life force which flows through it and, as such, are even more vital than its outer form. Once the Stupa is complete and all the relics are in place, a blessing ceremony takes place.
It is said that anybody who comes to see a stupa or holy objects – even those who dream about them – from that time on will not be born in the lower realms. Just by seeing and touching a stupa, their negative karmas will be purified, and they will immediately find refuge and stable faith in Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Then they will be able to pacify their minds and generate loving kindness and bodhichitta. Wherever a stupa is built will become a powerful place for healing and a cause of success for whatever visitors to that place are seeking. Each person can transform their mind by coming and seeing such holy objects. In short, spending time at a stupa can become the psychology to bring peace of mind and a good heart to all beings, both young and old.
These benefits apply to all sentient beings that come to the stupa, even dogs that are taken for a walk around it. To support and contribute to creating and building stupas and other holy objects is therefore of immense benefit, not only to others but also to yourself in helping to make your life more meaningful.
The Benefit of a Stupa emanates far and wide and is said to go on for eons. The positive energy is impossible to measure. Liberation is said to be given by merely hearing about a Stupa, by touching it, by seeing it, by praying to it, by walking around it and by eating the offerings that are made to it. In the West, Stupa building is an activity in its infancy, but one whose inspiration must surely touch us all.
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