BUDDHIST

Introduction To Buddhism
Buddhism(Pali/Sanskri
t:Bauddha Dharma)

religion and
philosophy
encompassing a
variety of traditions,
beliefs and practices,
largely based on
teachings attributed
toSiddhartha
Gautama, commonly
known as theBuddha
the awakened one.

Buddhism began as an
offspring of Hinduism
in the country of India.
The founder was
Siddhartha Gautama.
Siddhartha Gautama
was born in
approximately 560
B.C. in northern India

Introduction To Buddhism

VIRTUE Right Speech

Right Action
Right Livelihood
MIND -

Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration

WISDOM Right View

Right Intention

The Buddha's threefold training is similar to the

threefold grouping of theNoble Eightfold Path.

Buddhist Architecture

Principal place of early Buddhist worship is the stupa.

Mound shaped shrine with no interior.
A stupa is a reliquary and worshipers gain spiritual
merit through being in close proximity to its contents.
Buddhists pray while walking around stupa in an
easterly direction (direction of suns course).
Central mast at top of stupa with 3 umbrella shapes
(Chatras). Symbolizes three jewels of Buddhism
(Buddha, Law, and the community of monks).

 The Buddhist architecture has its root deeply

implanted in the Indian soil- the birthplace of
the Buddha's teachings.
The Buddhist architecture began with the
development of various symbols,
representing aspects of the Buddha's life
(563 BCE - 483 BCE).
Indian emperor Ashoka, not only established
Buddhism as the state religion of his large
Magadh empire, but also opted for the
architectural monuments to spread
Buddhism in different places.

 The major features

of this style are
Stupas
stambhas
chaitayas
viharas
these have been
mere spectators of
different eras
quietly speaks
about the phases of
the Buddhist stages.

Sanchi Stupa

Sanchi Stupa

STUPA
A stupa is a mound-like
structure containing
buddhist relics, typically
the remains of Buddha,
used by Buddhists as a
place of worship.
These stupas are the
circular tumuli built of
earth, covered with stone
or brick, the plan,
elevation, section and the
total form of which were
all derived from circle.

Stupa become a cosmic symbol in

response to a major human
condition: death. With the
enlightenment of the Buddha,
stupa became a particularly
buddhist symbol.

SANCHI STUPA
there are mainly
three main
stupas on the top
of the sanchi hill
which rise about
100m above the
plain.
Of the three
stupa the biggest
one is known as
the great stupa.

THE GREAT STUPA, SANCHI

The 'Great Stupa' at Sanchi
is the oldest stone structure
in India and was originally
commissioned by the
emperor Ashoka the Great in
the 3rd century BCE.
Its nucleus was a simple
hemispherical brick
structure built over the relics
of the Buddha.
It was crowned by the
chatra, a parasol-like
structure symbolizing high
rank, which was intended to
honour and shelter the
relics.
It has four profusely carved

DOME- is a solid brickwork 32.32m in diameter

and 12.8m high.
The dome has a slight
crushed profile at top and
was surmounted by
HARMIKA with a central
triple UMBRELLA.
The facing of the dome
consists of dry masonry
composed of hammer
dressed stones laid in even
courses.
The terrace 4.87m high
from ground was added
thus creating a separate
and upper AMBULATORY
passage 1.8m wide access
to which was provided by
a double staircase with
high BALUSTRADE, on the

Plan and elevation

Axonometric

There are four

gateways known
as TORANAS at
the cardinal
points to the
compass and
are slightly
staggered from
the railing
enclosing stupa.
The ambulatory
or pradakshina
path is fenced
by railing 3.35m
high all around
the stupa.
Outside the
railing there
once stood the
famous ashoka
pillar, the

Diff b/w a temple and stupa

Thesymbolismof theformof thestupasis a vast and

complexsubject, as is the meaning behind every item placed
within astupa.
Theshapeof thestuparepresents theBuddha, crowned and
sitting inmeditationpostureon alion throne.
Thestupaalsosymbolizesthefive elementsand colors and their
relationship toEnlightenedMind:
Base Square YellowEarth-Equanimity
Dome Circle White Water- Indestructibility
Spire Triangle Red FireCompassion
Parasol Half Circle Green Wind AllaccomplishingAction
Jewel Dewdrop (no shape/no color/void) Space AllpervadingAwareness
The Moon/Sun shapes represent the union ofcompassionand
wisdom, joining the all-accomplishingactionofcompassionwith

TORANA
Toranas, the entrance to the
ambulatory were accepted as
the traditional type of
ceremonial potals and excel the
array of architectural
embellishment.
Torana consists of two square
uprite columns with capital of
lion or elephant heads denoting
strength.
These columns support three
separate horizontal panels
between each of which is a row
of ornamental balusters.
These panels are supported by
atlantean figures, a group of
dwarfs, lions and elephant.
The total height of this erection

ASHOKA
The authentic examples of these pillars are those which king
Ashoka set up PILLARS
to bear inscriptions conveying to his subjects the
leading doctrines of the new faith he had adopted, Buddhism.
These are sturdy, finely proportional and properly balanced
religious
posts more than 15m
The pillarsign
at sarnath
high has a group of four addoresed
lions with flowing manes,
surmounting the capital.
These lions originally supported a
massive metal wheel with 24 spokes
called wheels of the law.
The capital more than 2m high
resembles the shape of a inverted
bell or lotus bub with series of fluted
petals.
Above the capital is the abacus
which is circular, having broad edge
carves with ornamental borders,
containing four figure of animals
alternate with the four small wheels

RAILING OR VEDICA
The vedica or railing
consists of upright
octagonal plan 45cm in
diameter spaced at 60 to
90cm from each other
and connected by three
lens shaped horizontals
called suchi or needles
60cm deep being
threaded through the
holes of the upright.
The top horizontal bar is
provided with coping to
drain out rain water.

Dhamek Stupa,Sarnath(500BCE)

Dhamekh Stupa has a particular significance at Sarnath as it signifies

the place where buddha delivered his first sermon. The present name
Dhamekh proves that it certainly has some connection with Buddha's
Dharma. According to the Archaeologists, the Dhameka might have
been the Stupa built by Ashoka to mark the spot where Lord
Buddha preached the Dharmachakrapravartana (set in motion the
wheel of law) for the first time to his five disciples.