The Symbolism of the Stupa [Revised Edition] 9781501718960

A close analysis of the architecture of the stupa—a Buddhist symbolic form that is found throughout South, Southeast, an

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Table of contents :
Table of Contents
Preface
Corrigenda
Introduction
The Plan
1. The Spatial Configuration of the Stupa
2. The Ritual Demarcation of the Stupa Plan
3. The Symbolism of the Centre
4. The Symbolism of Measuring
5. The Symbolism of the Directions of Space
6. The Deployment of Space and the Sacrifice
7. The Deployment of Space and the Solar Breath
8. The Deployment of Space in Iconography, Architecture and the Buddhist Kingdom
9. The Stupa Plan as Wheel
10. The Stupa Plan and the Lotus
11. The Circle and the Square
12. The Stupa Plan as Mándala
13. The Sacred Enclosure
The Pile
14. The Symbolism of the Axis
15. The Symbolism of the Dome
16. The Symbolism of the Superstructure
17. The Symbolism of the Harmika
18. Ascent
19. The Symbolism of the Spire
20. The Symbolism of the Pinnacle
21. The Function of the Stupa
22. Synthesis
Abbreviations
List of Works Cited
List of Illustrations
Index
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The Symbolism of the Stupa [Revised Edition]
 9781501718960

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Adrian Snodgrass

THE SYMBOLISM OF THE STUPA

STUDIES ON SOUTHEAST ASIA

S&p\

Southeast Asia Program 120 Uris Hall Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 1985

Editor in Chief Benedict Anderson Editorial Board George Kahin Stanley O'Connor Oliver Wolters

2nd printing with Index, List of Illustrations & Corrigenda 1988 3rd printing 1991

© 1985 Cornell Southeast Asia Program ISBN 0-87727-700-1

iii.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface

i

INTRODUCTION

1

1. The Nature of Architectural Symbolism

2. The Analysis of the Symbolism of the Stupa

2 5

PART I - THE PLAN 1.

THE SPATIAL CONFIGURATION OF THE STUPA

12

2.

THE RITUAL DEMARCATION OF THE STUPA PLAN

14

3.

THE SYMBOLISM OF THE CENTRE 1 . The Geometric Centre 2. The Sun as Centre

21 21 24

4.

THE SYMBOLISM OF MEASURING 1. Measuring Out from the Centre 2 . Measuring Out by the Sun

28 28 30

5.

THE SYMBOLISM OF THE DIRECTIONS OF SPACE 1. The Deployment of the Directions 2. The Deployment of Space in the Brahmanic Myths 3. The Deployment of Space in the Buddha Legend

37 37

6.

THE DEPLOYMENT OF SPACE AND THE SACRIFICE 1 . The Vedic Fire Altar 2. The Division and Reunification of the Body of Prajāpati - the Sacrifice 3. Buddhist Parallels - the Proliferation of the Body of the Buddha

38 39 45 45 47 52

7.

THE DEPLOYMENT OF SPACE AND THE SOLAR BREATH 58 1. The Pneumatic Deployment of the Macrocosm . . . 58 2. The Pneumatic Deployment of the Microcosm ... 60

8.

THE DEPLOYMENT OF SPACE IN ICONOGRAPHY, ARCHITECTURE AND THE BUDDHIST KINGDOM

67

9. 10.

THE STUPA PLAN AND THE LOTUS

11 .

THE CIRCLE AND THE SQUARE

101

12.

THE STUPA PLAN AS MÁNDALA 1. The Meaning of the Mándala

104 104 106 107 111 111

THE STUPA PLAN AS WHEEL

2. The Mándala and the Cosmos 3. 4.

The The a. b.

Mándala as Plan: the Vāstu-puru$a-man