Dharmapala Thangka CentreTibetan Antiques

This tsa tsa shows the historic Buddha Shakyamuni sitting on a double lotos throne surrounded by the eight »Sugata Stupas«

The Stupa [tib. »Chörten«] is the most important architectural monument of Buddhism. One of the early stupas was a similar circular burial mound that was originally used for the burial of ancient rulers in India.

The form of the stupa has developed independently in the course of time in different countries. The »Sugata Stupas« of Tibetan Buddhism, however, have remained largely unchanged.

The stupa building can also be a symbol for Mount Meru or Sumeru, which according to Buddhist philosophy is considered a huge mountain and the central axis of the world Mount Meru is identified with Mount Kailash in Western Tibet.

The Buddha's head is surrounded by branches on three sides in this Tsa Tsa. According to tradition, Siddharta Gautama found his enlightenment sitting and meditating under a poplar fig [»Bodhi tree«]. This is how he became Buddha. This is why the »Bodhi tree« is also called the »tree of awakening« or simply the »Buddha tree«. In this tsa tsa, the Buddha's head is surrounded on three sides by leaves and branches, a reference to this tradition.

A Tibetan inscription is visible at the bottom left of the tsa tsa [see second last detail photo]. This proves that this Tsa Tsa has its origin in Tibet and not in India.

Relics of the historic Buddha were kept in eight different stupas in India after his death:

1. The Lotus Blossom Stupa: [Padpung Tchörten]
2. The Stupa of the Descent from Tushita Heaven [Lhabab Tchörten]
3. The Enlightenment Stupa: [Dschangtschub Tchörten]
4. The Stupa of Turning the Wheel of Dharma [Taschi-Gomang Tchörten]
5. The Great Miracle Stupa [Tschothrul Tchörten]
6. The Stupa of Reconciliation [Yendum Tchörten]
7. The Stupa of Complete Victory [Namgyal Tchörten]
8. The Parinivana Stupa: [Nyangdä Tchörten]

There is currently no serious damage, but the age of some 800 years has left its mark on the surface of the Tsa Tsa. With the exception of the bell-shaped Paranirvana Stupa [Bottom stupa row right], the remaining seven stupas are very similar in size. Under this circumstances it is difficult to clearly identify each of the eight stupas. Perhaps the Stupa of Great Miracles [Tschothrul Tchörten] is the supa to the left of the Buddha's elbow.