1. The Great Stupa, 3rd Century BCE, Sanchi, India. BUDDHISM

2. Domed reliquary for a portion of Buddha’s remains
Symbol of Buddha’s final release
Solid throughout, built on top of the relics
Original stupa was built over and doubled in size
Mud and clay was encased in stone
Gateways added at the cardinal points with carvings of the Buddha’s life and teachings on them
When Buddha died, his physical remains were divided among ten burial mounds, later further divided

4. Surrounded by a fence, interior walkway circles around dome
Devotees walked around the stupa in a clockwise fashion-meant to be meditative and to symbolize the circle of life
Circumambulation
Stupas evolved into pagoda forms

5. Walkway is 16’ off ground

7. Buddha Preaching the First Sermon, 5th c. CE, sandstone. Sarnath, India

9. Yoga position, preaching hand gesture (mudra)
Predella has a narrative about Buddha’s life and the Wheel, which is a symbol for teaching
Boddhisattvas in nimbus
Buddha often represented the same way throughout history: seated, frontal, elongated ears, symmetrical, mudras, topknot