Dhamek Stupa
From Buddhist Encyclopedia
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Dhamek Stupa (also spelled Dhamekh} is located at Sarnath, 13 km away from Varanasi in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It was built by the great Mauryan king Ashoka in 249 B.C.E., along with several other monuments, to commemorate his pilgrimage there. It is said to mark the the spot where the Buddha gave his first historic sermon to his five disciples after attaining enlightenment and set in motion the Wheel of Dhamma.
Stupas are low circular funeral mounds encircle by large stones. King Ashoka built stupas to enshrine body relics in the form of small pieces of calcinated bone of Buddhist monks and holy men.
Design
The Dhamekh Stupa is cylindrical in form, a 43.6 meters high and 28 meter in diameter tower solidly built of bricks and stone. It is the most massive structure in Sarnath.
See also
External links
- Dhamek Stupa
- Place of the Buddha’s First Sermon
- Sarnath
- Photos
- Sarnath Places of Interest
- The Stupa - Yoga's Sacred Architecture
