Khensur Rinpoche Explains the Symbolism of the Stupa

A talk by Khensur Rinpoche about the symbolism of the Stupa, given at the launch of the fundraising initiative on Sunday July 14, 2002 .

"Today is the launch of the Kangaroo Island Enlightenment Stupa, and I was asked to explain about the meaning of the Stupa as well as the advantages of making offerings towards the Stupa.

"There are eight kinds of stupas which can be built. The first kind is called a Lotus Stupa. When Buddha Shakyamuni was born he made seven steps, and from each of those footprints a lotus grew. The Lotus Stupa commemorates this event.

"The second kind of stupa is called the Enlightenment Stupa. After a long meditation by Lord Buddha Shakyamuni under the Bodhi tree he became enlightened. The Enlightenment Stupa is named from this attainment of enlightenment.

"We won't go through all the eight types of stupas! The Enlightenment Stupa is the second type and it is built to signify of the enlightenment of Lord Buddha Shakyamuni.

"Now we will go on to explain about the meaning of the different parts of the stupa. The foundation, the ground or site on which a stupa will be built should be a very ethical one - a place which free of the ten non-virtuous actions; a solid foundation of ethical discipline.

"In general, there are three representations of the Buddha - Body, Speech, and Mind. Actual statues and so on are representations of the Body of Enlightened Beings or Buddhas.

"All the texts of the Buddha Shakyamuni reveal the quality of his Speech (called the 16 melodious speeches), coming from the different turnings of the wheel of the Dharma, or teachings - these are the representations of Speech.

"The third one is the representation of the Mind. All stupas are the representation of the Buddha's mind, called "the wisdom embodied". Stupas reveal the Path to Enlightenment - or how the mind can be transformed into Enlightenment.

"The foundation is the very basis on which the stupa has been built - it should a very harmonious and pure place free of the ten non-virtuous actions.

"Above that level, next comes the throne where the actual stupa will be placed. There should be eight or four lions supporting the throne. This symbolises that the lion is king of the animals and can live without fear in the wild. Upon the basis of the ethical discipline of not committing the ten non-virtuous actions one can travel the path of the practices. The first four layers, or steps, of the stupa are the paths in which one engages to gain the realisations. The first step represents the Four Mindfulnesses. The next is called the Four Perfect Abandonments. The next represents the Four Miraculous Feats.

"The Four Miraculous Feats, the Four Mindfulnesses and so on are gained by practising the Path. These are increasingly superior realisations; as one goes step by step in the practices one obtains the powers or attainments. On top of the throne is the circle of the lotus flower, which is the highest realisation of the previous set of attainments - the Five Powers.

"The dome-like round part symbolises the vase, and where the actual Buddha is situated generally symbolises the celestial mansion of the enlightened beings.

"On top of the vase is a square shape. This represents the eight superior paths, which means the practitioner has gained the higher realisations. The practitioner has now realised selflessness directly.

"Certain stupas (for example one in Kathmandu in Nepal) have eight eyes on this square which represent the five wisdoms of the Buddhas, or just symbolise the wisdom eye of the Buddha.

"On top of that square stands the life channel of the stupa, which has thirteen layers. Speaking generally of Buddhist practices, there are three main types. The foundation or Base; the Path; and the final stage, or the Result. The stupa shows all three.

"The Base is the foundation - on such an ethical foundation one practises, and from that level to the square on top of the dome is the Path, where one trains. Then the next thirteen rings are levels which represent the Result of the practices that one attains.

"The thirteen rings represent the ten powers or attainments of the Buddhas and the Three Close Mindfulnesses of the Buddha.

"On the very top is the umbrella, which represents the great compassion of the Buddha; that through his great compassion he helps all sentient beings.

"Above even the umbrella are the moon and the sun, and these two represent Bodhicitta - the altruistic intention to bring all beings out of suffering and into the bliss of Enlightenment. There are two types of Bodhicitta, the conventional and the ultimate. The moon symbolises conventional Bodhicitta and the sun ultimate Bodhicitta. On top of both the sun and the moon is the white spot - the final result, which is Enlightenment or Buddha hood. So, on the basis of such a foundation, free of the ten non-virtues, one trains in the path and then finally attains enlightenment, the resultant state of Buddha hood.

"That is the brief explanation of what the stupa symbolises, or represents. To summarise, the actual stupa has the entire representation of how Buddha, from the very basis or beginning, trained on the path and finally perfected himself. So it reveals the entire path travelled and the results of practices done by Lord Buddha Shakyamuni.

"The stupa is a very holy and precious object. If one builds a stupa which has all the qualities which we described earlier, then in the particular place the stupa is built, all the beings that live in that area will receive numerous benefits. They will have a peaceful atmosphere, much harmony and happiness, and good livelihoods.

"In the same way, by making offerings to the stupa - contributions, donations and so on, one will also receive great benefits from such generosity. One will develop the practices in the same way Buddha perfected himself. By making offerings and giving donations to the stupa one receives a huge amount of virtue or merit that will help one to train in the Path, and become a cause for the quick attainment of enlightenment and reach Buddhahood as did Buddha.

"So by making offerings and prayers in front of the stupas, one receives a number of benefits, and not only for oneself; one can make the prayers and practices for the entirety of sentient beings, and especially for one's dear ones, closest friends and so on.

"If you go through the benefits of supporting the stupa in detail, they are numberless and we won't have time. It takes a very long time to explain if you go through all the details.

"Briefly speaking, some of the individual benefits resulting from supporting the stupa are that one receives many virtues that will become a cause for the attainment of liberation and enlightenment. One will also be able to help others achieve their aims through engaging in such virtuous activities.

"The entire stupa represents the ultimate qualities of the Buddha's mind and is therefore a very precious and holy object. By making prostrations and offerings to it, and circumambulation around it, one receives huge virtue. This is a very good opportunity to gather this virtue by supporting the building of this stupa, and if one makes a donation, it would be very nice. Try your best and don't just simply make a donation. Along with your contribution, make wishful prayers for its success as much as you can.

"I have seen the site where the stupa is going to be built. I have been down there at the request of the committee of the De-Tong Ling Centre on Kangaroo Island, Kimball and so on. According to their requests, I did the Blessing Ceremony of the site and it's good to see the project is progressing and I'm very pleased to hear that, and thank you for inviting me.

"Now that the project is taking off, in future de-Tong Ling will be very harmonious and very suitable for meditation after the stupa has been built. In future it's good for all of you. If you have a chance to go down and do meditation, that's very, very good!

"I've been kept up to date on the project and have been told that numbers of donations have already been received. Thank you for these contributions.

"Thank you very much."

Editor's note - Bold and italics are to assist reading and comprehension. They do not necessarily reflect emphasis by Khensur Rinpoche.