Minneapolis Institute of Art

Votive stupa

IndiaLinkedCulture matchlcp-e84f00141d5d

Date: c. 9th century
Medium: Bronze with copper and silver alloy
Department: Asian Art
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Art
Object ID: 146816

From the Minneapolis Institute of Art record

Stupas were burial mounds created to mark the remains of great teachers in India. Upon the death of the historic Buddha, his cremated remains were divided and transported to sites associated with important events in his life. There, monumental architectural stupas were constructed over them and became pilgrimage destinations for his followers. Later, artisans created scaled-down versions in metal, wood, and precious stone to evoke the presence of the Buddha and his teachings. Such miniature stupas often contain sacred items such as minute scrolls of scripture, small religious images, and relics of later Buddhist teachers. Asia

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