Symbolism and utility of stup
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Traditional Buddhist texts say that the stupas bring immeasurable benefit to all who build or meet them. Likewise, stupas have a very beneficial effect on their surroundings, nature and natural elements.
The stupas symbolically represent a vast array of Buddha's teachings, such as the ten virtuous deeds, the three Jewels, the six perfections, the four immeasurables, the five kinds of forces, the eight-part noble path, and more. The proportions of the steps correspond to the proportions of the Buddha sitting in a meditative position on the throne, the shapes correspond to the five elements, and the external details recall one of the eight important events in the life of the historical Buddha of our age. That is why it is said that stupas have the power of so-called liberation through seeing (Tib. མཐོང་ གྲོལ་ [thong dröl]) - if our mind is open and ready, we can recognize what things really are by simply looking at the stupa. Likewise, for example, the wind that blows the stupas is, according to the Buddha's teachings, able to bring harmony to the environment and inspire beings to act lovingly.
In several of his discussions with his disciples, Buddha Shakyamuni taught that through the construction of stupas, practitioners can accumulate an incredible amount of good impressions. Thanks to these merits, not only will we encounter the liberating teachings of the Buddha in future lives, but we will also have a long life, a healthy and handsome body, a pleasant voice, and other great features.
The stupas symbolically represent a vast array of Buddha's teachings, such as the ten virtuous deeds, the three Jewels, the six perfections, the four immeasurables, the five kinds of forces, the eight-part noble path, and more. The proportions of the steps correspond to the proportions of the Buddha sitting in a meditative position on the throne, the shapes correspond to the five elements, and the external details recall one of the eight important events in the life of the historical Buddha of our age. That is why it is said that stupas have the power of so-called liberation through seeing (Tib. མཐོང་ གྲོལ་ [thong dröl]) - if our mind is open and ready, we can recognize what things really are by simply looking at the stupa. Likewise, for example, the wind that blows the stupas is, according to the Buddha's teachings, able to bring harmony to the environment and inspire beings to act lovingly.
In several of his discussions with his disciples, Buddha Shakyamuni taught that through the construction of stupas, practitioners can accumulate an incredible amount of good impressions. Thanks to these merits, not only will we encounter the liberating teachings of the Buddha in future lives, but we will also have a long life, a healthy and handsome body, a pleasant voice, and other great features.
