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We have now introduced these fantastic hand painted Stupas. The picture shows just one of the complete set of 8 Stupas. Each Stupa has been hand crafted from wood and then hand painted in the traditional Tibetan style. They have been left hollow to allow them to be blessed and filled with mantras or relics. They make a wonderful addition to any shrine room.
Height 8.5 inches
Width 4.5 inches
Following, are the eight types of stupas in the order in which they relate to the life of Buddha:
1. Lotus Stupa - this stupa was built during Buddha's lifetime and is situated in Lumbini. The main structure is shaped like a lotus and symbolizes the birth of the Buddha.
2. Enlightenment Stupa or Stupa of Overcoming All Obstacles - this stupa was built by the Dharma king Bimbisara in Bodhgaya in honor of Buddha attaining enlightenment. It expresses the removal of the last, thin veils of obscuration and obstacles in Buddha's mind on the evening before he reached enlightenment.
3. Stupa of Wisdom or Stupa of Sixteen Gates - this stupa was built in honor of Buddha's first teachings in Sarnath/Varanasi about the Four Noble Truths.
4. Stupa of Miracles - this stupa form was built by a person named Lisabi in Shravasti, where Buddha performed miracles in order to convince people with wrongful views.
5. Stupa of Descending from the Tushita Heaven - this stupa was built in Shankasa and has many steps which signify Buddha's decent from Tushita Heavn. Tushita Heaven is a god realm where Buddha gave teachings to his mother.
6. Stupa of Reconciliation or Stupa of Unity - this stupa was built in Rajgir to celebrate the reconciliation within the community of practitioners after some difficulties caused by Buddha's cousin Devadatta.
7. Stupa of Complete Victory - this stupa signifies an event which occurred in Vaishali shortly before Buddha's death, when he prolonged his life span by three months upon the request of his students.
8. Parinirvana Stupa - this stupa signifies the attainment of Parinirvana in Kushinagara. The main body of the stupa has the shape of a bell, the symbol of Buddha's complete wisdom.
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