Stupa

Domed structure for Buddhist relics or meditation.

Overview

Stupas, made of stone or brick, serve as sacred Buddhist monuments with symbolic dome shapes.

Core Characteristics

• Symbolic and sacred.
• Domed structure.
• Buddhist significance.

Notable Examples

• Sanchi Stupa (India, 3rd century BCE, Buddhist monument).
• Borobudur (Indonesia, 9th century, stupa complex).

Architectural Connections

• Ancient: Religious focus.
• Religious: Buddhist sites.
• Buddhist Architecture: Core movement.

Influence and Legacy

Central to Ashoka’s Buddhist architecture, it inspires spiritual design.

Related Concepts & Techniques

Masonry (technique), Iconography (theory), Dome (element), Vernacular (movement)