The Stupa in my work of art

 

     

work in progress - Stupa close-up image

I'll come back soon with the finished artwork here.

 From the deserts of Central Asia in the west to the islands of Japan in the east, and from the icy regions of Tibet in the north to the sun-drenched tropical island of Sri Lanka in the south, we will find one type of architectural monument, the specific Buddhist monument, STUPA.

 In every type of landscape and on every land form, the basic form of the Stupa retains this five elemental character:

1. A square base symbolizes the element earth, the perfect symbol to denote the terrestrial world.
2. A hemispherical dome symbolizes water, section of a Stupa is an allusion to the primordial, creative waters.
3. A conical spire signifies the element of fire; it represents wisdom which burns away all ignorance.
4. A crescent moon denotes the element of air, witch has the capacity to expand.
5. A circular disc signifies the element of space, it represents the principle which has no end or beginning.
 Finally, surmounting the stupa is a jewel like shape,it  hence expresses a higher state of reality than that characterized by all the five elements.

  

 The identification of the highest point in the Stupa with the highest point in Buddha's image leads us to ponder as to whether a more deeper correspondence can be established between the Stupa and Buddha's physical body.
 In the traditional view, a building needs to satisfy both the physical and metaphysical needs of man. As an expression of artistic intent, it will elaborate upon the manner in which phenomenal world relates to the spiritual one.