Stupa

By Victor M Fontane

Walking around the stupa clockwise is used as a meditative practice. The practice represents samsara (endless cycle of rebirth) and the eight-limbed yogic path that leads to liberation.

Buddhists believe that building a stupa has karmic benefits. The very act of building a stupa is thought to ensure good karma in the next life.

Stupas consist of five types:

• Relic stupa – said to house the remains of the Buddha, his disciples, and/or saints

• Symbolic stupa – symbolizes aspects of Buddhist philosophy and teachings

• Votive stupa – built as an offering for spiritual advantage or to commemorate visitations

• Object stupa – contains Buddhist scriptures or items thought to have belonged to the Buddha or his disciples

• Commemorative stupa – constructed to honor events in the life of the Buddha

Buddha stupa pose is a yoga posture that honors and resembles the Buddha and a stupa. It is a wide squat with the toes pointing outward and the hands in prayer position.