The Life of the Buddha Shakyamuni as commemorated by Eight Stupas

The eight stupas mark the defining events in Shakyamuni's life.   The events in brief his birth at Lumbini enlightenment at Bodhgaya first sermon at the Deer Park at Sarnath descent from Trayastrimsha heaven at Sankashya the great miracle at Shravasti taming of the wild elephant, Nalagiri, at Rajagriha gift of the monkey at Vaishali his death, the nirvana, at Kushinagara These sites are visited as a complete pilgrimage cycle and, objects such as this painting, serve as commemorative offerings.

Stupa Identifications

The large central stupa is the "Stupa of Enlightenment" or "Stupa of Victory [over Mara]." Characterized by its four terraces , this stupa commemorates the defining moment in the Buddha's life, his enlightenment at Bodhgaya. 

The second from the top left, is the "Stupa of the Heaped Lotuses," which commemorates Siddhartha Gautama's birth at Lumbini.

The third event, the Buddha's first sermon given at the "Deer" park nearVaranasi is commoreated by the stupa in the upper left hand corner of the painting. It is known as the "Stupa of Many Gates," and is characterized by having doorways on its terraces, symbolizing the many gates to enlightenment provided by the Buddha's Dharma.

The fourth is "The Stupa of Miracles"  in the sequence. It commemorates the Buddha's victory over heretics at Shravasti in a contest of pratiharya , or "conjuror's illustions."

The fifth in the upper left hand corner, is the "Stupa of the Decent with the Gods' Realm." It commemorates the Buddha's descent at Sankashya from the Trayastrimsha heaven where he spent three months preaching the Dharma to his mother, Mayadevi.

The Sixth stupa next to the "Stupa of Miracles," either the bottom left or center, is the "Stupa of Reconciliation." In Tibet, the "Stupa of Reconciliation" commemorates the Buddha's resolution of a disagreement among in the Sangha, or community of monks, through the use of magical transformations and through the agency of his two disciples Sariputra and Mahamaudgallyayana. In India, this stupa represents the Buddha's taming of a rogue elephant at Rajagriha, symbolizing the taming of the unbridled mind. In both instances the conflict was caused by Devadatta, the Buddha's evil cousin. Also, in both events the Buddha acted on behalf of all sentient beings to resolve the conflict.

The Seventh stupa at the center of the right side, is the stupa commemorating the "Buddha's Complete Victory" also known as the the stupa of the [ability to] "Control the Life Span." it is characterized by three rounded steps at the drum level this stupa commemorates the Buddha's decision to remain on earth another three months.

The Eighth stupa in the lower right corner of the painting commemorates the Buddha's death, or great cessation­Mahaparanirvana, at Kushinagara. 

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