stupa
Dome-shaped reliquary
A stupa is a dome-shaped Buddhist monument, typically containing relics of the Buddha or other sacred objects.
Stupas serve as sites for meditation and pilgrimage, and their architectural form—a hemispherical mound on a base, often topped with a spire—has influenced religious structures across Asia: Pilgrims circumambulate the stupa in a clockwise direction.
Rounded vault forming roof
- spireTapering architectural peak
- hemisphericalHalf of a sphere
- reliquaryContainer for sacred remains
- toranaOrnamental religious gateway
pradakshina · drum · finial · plinth · terrace · gateway · balustrade · pinnacle
Cosmic moral order
- sanghaBuddhist religious community
- TheravadaBuddhism of the elders
- MahayanaBuddhism stressing universal liberation
- nirvanaRelease from cyclical existence
enlightenment · Bodhisattva · Gautama · Buddha · bodhi · samsara · karma · merit
African bridge-harp with twenty-one strings
- circumambulationRitually encircling sacred object
- pradakshinaRitual clockwise circumambulation
- pilgrimsReligious journey takers
- devoteesPassionate adherents
yatra · journey · clockwise · walking · procession · holy site · destination · blessing
Sustained reflective attention
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
- tranquilityUndisturbed peacefulness
- serenityUndisturbed mental quietude
- focusConcentrated attention point
stillness · peace · reflection · spiritual practice · visualization · walking meditation · chanting · mantra
Profound spiritual awakening
- elementsFundamental parts or substances
- earthSoil or electrical grounding
- waterClear essential liquid
- fireCombustion with flames
air · ether · awakening · eightfold path · nirvana · dharma wheel
Preserved ancient object
- ashesBurned matter's residue
- bonesRigid internal support structure
- shrineSacred devotional place
- casketBurial container
chamber · repository · vessel · container · sacred objects · remains · offerings · veneration
dome
Rounded vault forming roof
- spireTapering architectural peak
- hemisphericalHalf of a sphere
- reliquaryContainer for sacred remains
torana · pradakshina · drum · finial · plinth · terrace · gateway · balustrade · pinnacle · base
dharma
Cosmic moral order
- sanghaBuddhist religious community
- TheravadaBuddhism of the elders
- MahayanaBuddhism stressing universal liberation
nirvana · enlightenment · Bodhisattva · Gautama · Buddha · bodhi · samsara · karma · merit · devotion
kora
African bridge-harp with twenty-one strings
- circumambulationRitually encircling sacred object
- pradakshinaRitual clockwise circumambulation
- pilgrimsReligious journey takers
devotees · yatra · journey · clockwise · walking · procession · holy site · destination · blessing · merit-making
contemplation
Sustained reflective attention
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
- tranquilityUndisturbed peacefulness
- serenityUndisturbed mental quietude
focus · stillness · peace · reflection · spiritual practice · visualization · walking meditation · chanting · mantra · prayer
enlightenment
Profound spiritual awakening
fire · air · ether · awakening · eightfold path · nirvana · dharma wheel
relic
Preserved ancient object
casket · chamber · repository · vessel · container · sacred objects · remains · offerings · veneration · enshrined
Kathmandu
Nepal's capital city
- historic sitesruins, historic site, basilica, monument, fortress
- historic structuresColosseum, Parthenon, abbey, coliseum, pyramids
- religious buildingsabbey, ashram, basilica, chapel, convent
- sacred buildingschurch, temple, mosque, cathedral, chapel
- sacred placestemple complex, basilica, abbey, church, chapel
- worship placeschurch, temple, mosque, chapel, cathedral
stupacommercial building
Structure for business purposes
office building · shopping mall · factory · warehouse · parking garage
stupatemporary structure
Non-permanent built form
tent · demolition site · ruin