Hand Made Copper Alloy in Oxidation Finish 11.5" Kadam Style Stupa / Chorten / Chaitya

Kadam Style Stupa / Chorten / Chaitya

Stupa or Chorten – The Basis of Offering

Stupa (Chorten in Tibetan which means "the basis of offering") is an important religious monument in Tibet. This unique religious architectural form expresses significant religious symbolism and presents Buddha's physical presence. It generally consists of three parts; a whitewashed base, a whitewashed cylinder, and a crowning steeple or shaft. The square base foundation, representing the Buddha's lotus throne, symbolizes the earth, the state of solidity, and the five forces (faith, concentration, mindfulness, perseverance, and wisdom.) The four stepped bases may or may not have openings. Above the base is a square or hexagon four stepped pedestal which represents The Buddha's crossed legs. Seated on the base is the cylinder, representing his torso. This symbolizes water, the state of fluidity, and the seven essential conditions of enlightenment: concentration, effort, equanimity, flexibility, mindfulness, joy, and wisdom. Sometimes a Stupa has a shield-like grillwork in one face. This allows relics of high lamas, statues, and other items to be put inside. Between the cylinder and the crowning steeple, there is a square box, called Harmika, which represents the Buddha's eyes. It is considered to be the residence of the gods, symbolizing the eightfold noble path. The crowning steeple, the Buddha's crown, is usually hand-made of brass and/or covered with gold leaf. It is segmented into 13 tapering rings, a parasol, and a twin symbol of the Sun and the Moon. Those rings, representing fire and the thirteen steps of enlightenment, successively symbolize the ten powers of the Buddha and three close contemplations. The stylized parasol, representing wind, wards off all evil. At the top of the steeple is the twin symbols of the Sun and the Moon, which represent wisdom and method respectively. A flaming jewel may be found on the top of the twin symbol, symbolizing the highest enlightenment.

Stupa or Chorten or Chaitya, which represents the Buddhist Universe, is the Buddhist sanctuary, sometimes square and sometimes round, with spires or steps on the capital. A Stupa is a tower or steeple erected atop Hindu and Tibetan Buddhist temples. The Stupa is a symbol for the elementary organization of the universe according to Hindu cosmology. Each spire or step represents a heaven, the uppermost portion being a point which is supposed to be the highest peak of Mount Sumeru, a mythical mountain whence the Bodhichitta loses itself in sunya. It is composed of four parts (from the base, up), symbolizing the five tattwas, or elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water. On the four sides of the Stupa or Chaitya the figures of four Dhyani Buddhas; Akshobhya, Ratna Sambhava, Amitabha, and Amoghasiddhi are placed. The place of Vairochana is in the centre. In some Stupa or Chaitya Vairochana is placed to the east along with Akshobhya.

About this Ritual Item

This exquisite Stupa, or Chorten, is a remarkable work of sacred art, meticulously crafted using the ancient Lost Wax Method and oxidized copper alloy. The entire piece is adorned with intricate hand carvings, featuring beautiful designs of winding vines and other traditional motifs. Every detail is finely executed, reflecting the exceptional skill and dedication of the artisans involved.

Handcrafted in Patan, Nepal, by master artisans of the Shakya clan—renowned as some of the finest metalworkers in the world—this Stupa is a testament to a centuries-old tradition. These craftsmen are the modern heirs to an enduring legacy, creating sacred art that has graced temples and monasteries for generations. The fine metalworking techniques, passed down from one generation to the next, are evident in every aspect of this Chorten, making it a true embodiment of the Shakya clan’s unparalleled expertise and devotion to their craft.