Copper Stupa from Nepal

A stupa is also known as Chaitya or Chorten. This Stupa is Copper Gold plated stupa with chocolate oxidation made with a lost-wax system in Patan Nepal.

Making Process of a Lost Wax System

The Statue of Stupa is made by the process of the lost wax system, It is the oldest process of making the metal sculptures.

This is a very long and time-consuming process but the result we get is worth the time and effort.

Nepal is probably the only country still manufacturing the statue by this process. The statue of Stupa above is 100% handmade in Nepal, By the skill full artist from Patan, Lalitpur District.

What is a Stupa?

A stupa is a mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics, typically the remains of Buddha, used by Buddhists as a place of worship.

The stupa is the oldest Buddhist religious monument and was originally only a simple mound of mud or clay to cover supposed relics of the Buddha (Chaitya).

After the parinirvana of the Buddha, his remains were cremated and the ashes divided and buried under eight stupas with two further stupas encasing the urn and the embers.

Little is known about these early stupas, particularly since it has not been possible to identify the original ten monuments. However, some later stupas, such as at Sarnath and Sanchi, seem to be embellishments of earlier mounds.

The shape of the stupa represents the Buddha, crowned and sitting in a meditation posture on a lion throne.

His crown is the top of the spire his head is the square at the spire's base his body is the vase shape his legs are the four steps of the lower terrace, and the base is his throne.

Stupa and Tibetan Buddhism

There are eight different kinds of stupas in Tibetan Buddhism, each referring to major events in the Buddha's life.

Lotus Blossom Stupa

Also known as Stupa of Heaped Lotuses or Birth of the Sugata Stupa, this stupa refers to the birth of the Buddha.

"At birth Buddha took seven steps in each of the four directions" (East, South, West, and North).

In each direction lotuses sprang, symbolizing the Four Immeasurables: love, compassion, joy, and equanimity.

The four steps of the basis of this stupa are circular, and it is decorated with lotus-petal designs. Occasionally, seven heaped lotus steps are constructed. These refer to the seven first steps of the Buddha.

Enlightenment Stupa

Also known as the Stupa of the Conquest of Mara. This stupa symbolizes the 35-year-old Buddha's attainment of enlightenment under the bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, where he conquered worldly temptations and attacks manifesting in the form of Mara.

Stupa of Many Doors

Also known as the Stupa of Many Gates. After reaching enlightenment, the Buddha taught his first students in a deer-park near Sarnath.

The series of doors on each side of the steps represent the first teachings: the Four Noble Truths, the Six Perfections, the Noble Eightfold Path and the Twelve Links in the Chain of Dependent Origination.

Stupa of Descent from the God Realm

At 42 years old, Buddha spent a summer retreat in Tushita Heaven, where his mother had taken rebirth. In order to repay her kindness he taught the dharma to her reincarnation.

Local inhabitants built a stupa like this in Sankasya in order to commemorate this event. This stupa is characterized by having a central projection at each side containing a triple ladder or steps.

Stupa of Great Miracles

Also known as Stupa of Conquest of the Tirthikas. This stupa refers to various miracles performed by the Buddha when he was 50 years old.

Legend claims that he overpowered maras and heretics by engaging them in intellectual arguments and also by performing miracles. This stupa was raised by the Lichavi kingdom to commemorate the event.

Stupa of Reconciliation

This stupa commemorates the Buddha's resolution of a dispute among the sangha. A stupa in this design was built in the kingdom of Magadha, where the reconciliation occurred. It has four octagonal steps with equal sides.

Stupa of Complete Victory

This stupa commemorates Buddha's successful prolonging of his life by three months. It has only three steps, which are circular and unadorned.

Stupa of Nirvana

This stupa refers to the death of the Buddha when he was 80 years old. It symbolizes the Buddha's complete absorption into the highest state of mind. It is bell-shaped and usually not ornamented.