Great Stupa at Sanchi UNIT 8
Madhya Pradesh, India. Buddhist; Maurya, late Sunga Dynasty. c. 300 B.C.E. - 100 B.C.E. Stone masonry, sandstone on
Madhya Pradesh, India. Buddhist; Maurya, late Sunga Dynasty. c. 300 B.C.E. - 100 B.C.E. Stone masonry, sandstone on
dome
It was probably begun by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in the mid-3rd century bce and later enlarged. Solid throughout, it i
s enclosed by a massive stone railing pierced by four gateways, which are adorned with elaborate carvings (known as
Sanchi sculpture) depicting the life of the Buddha.
Form:
- stone and sandstone stupa
- STUPA: domed structures, evolved from earthen mounds containing relics (see generic structure below)
- As Buddhism evolved the Stupa evolved into a pagoda form (see below)
- As images of the Buddha evolved it became popular to feature them on the interior of the stupa
Function:
- Sacred sites and shrines, usually encased in fences, throughout Asia
- Site for worship and meditation
- Devotees walk around the structure in a clockwise fashion
- Venerated as a symbol of the Buddha's final moments
- Presence of relics is similar to Christian churches
--> Cross cultural connection: Reliquary of Sainte Foy
Content:
- Exterior & Parts
- Chatra
- triple umbrella structure symbolizing the three jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, the Dharma (doctrine), and the Sangha (community)
- Yasti
- central pillar symbolizing the cosmic axis, supports chatra
- Dome
- symbolizes dome of heaven enclosing the earth
- Upper level walkway
- also known as medhi; elevated terrace 16 ft above ground
- Gateways
- also known as Toranas
- face in cardinal directions
- free standing and highly ornamented
- two squared posts topped by capitals of sculpted animals and figures, surmounted by three architraves
- most ornate carvings and in finer sandstone than the rest of the stupa
- names of workers inscribed, tells ivory carvers were laborers of Vidisha (a city 20 miles away)
- prominent throughout the Indian subcontinent, not just Buddhist architecture
- Stone fence
- also known as vedika; punctuated by the toranas
- Imagery - ornamentation of the Torana
- covered with relief sculpture images of the Buddha's life, Jataka stories about his previous lives, scenes of early buddhism, and auspicious symbols
- the Buddha's presence is honored symbolically with imagery like:
- foot prints
- riderless horses
- umbrellas
- an empty seat
- people and animals worshipping the bodhi tree, the wheel, and famous sacred sites
- female fertility spirits called yakshis
- integrating local culture and lore
Context:
- located on a hill in the countryside outside of Bhopal
- the largest of several stupas in the area, surrounded by remains of other monastic buildings
- Stupa's not originally Buddhist, but Buddha's remains were buried in a stupa creating new tradition
- Emperor Ashoka divided up those remains into many locations throughout India, including Sanchi
- Built by Ashoka, famous for converting to Buddhism to recompense for slaughtering of thousands in battle
- Original stupa probably a modest burial mound of mud and clay
- repaired and doubled in size in 150 B.C.E.
- dome encased in masonry and walking terrace added
- four gateways added 75-100 B.C.E.
- Sanchi was abandoned from 1100 to 1900
