An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c17.s8.3

v1.c17.s8.3

The Buddhist *stūpas* may broadly be classified into four categories: (1) *śārīrika*, (2) *pāribhogika*, (3) *auddeśika*, and (4) votive. The *śārīrika stūpas* are those containing within the corporeal relics of Buddha or his direct disciples and Buddhist teachers and monks; in many cases along with the charred bones were deposited precious and semiprecious objects. The *pāribhogika stūpas* were erected over objects, like begging bowl, believed to have been used by Buddha. The *auddeśika* ones were commemorative of the incidents of Buddha's life including those of his previous births or of spots hallowed by his presence. Both Fa-Hien and Hiuen Tsang saw a good number of such *stūpas*. The votive *stūpas* were the pious dedications of pilgrims actuated by the desire of earning religious merit; within the core of many of these *stūpas* are found images of Buddha and Buddhist divinities, Buddhist texts, discs and tablets with the Buddhist creed with or without Buddhist figures, slabs and plates inscribed with the *Pratītyasamutpāda-sūtra* and plaques and slabs inscribed with *dhāraṇīs*.