NEWAR BUDDHISM

Buddhist architecture
Buddhism was a social revolution against the existing complex approaches to religion and caste system. But later it became a religion and established their one style of architecture confirming to their philosophical symbolism. As the Buddhist philosophy is different from any other religion, Buddhist architecture also holds some distinct features. As Buddha has chose simplest form of life for the practitioners, the origin of the architecture was also started from the simplest form. And later through evolution, different types and style has been evolved with the blend in region and society. Although the basic philosophy is constant, the way of practice flourished in different ways in different regions. Regionalism holds a great importance in the development of Buddhist architecture. Hence we have Indian, Nepalese, Indonesian, Japanese, Tibetan, Burmese etc. But we can trace the common elements and form in all these regional styles. The building types of Buddhist architecture can be classified into four major categories.
· Stupa
· Monasteries
· Caitya halls and Temples
· Stambha

Stupa
The tradition of making humble earth mounds piled over the relics and ancient treasures to mark a sacred site was later converted into monumental Buddhist edifice. The word ‘thube’ in Mägadhi languages of those days is very common in Pali texts which implies simply a earth mound, which later get pronounced as Thuba –Thura[i] - thupe – thupa – Stupa. This tradition was not only of Buddhist’s, it did exist prior to Buddha.

Stupa is the form, derived from the basic purest geometrical form, Circle. In light of lots of significance of circle in the symbolism of Buddhist philosophy, the circular plan of the Stupa symbolizes the wheel, both wheel of becoming and wheel of Dharma; Mandala; rites of endless circumambulation. Similarly the dome represent the womb, the earth, the mountain etc. Harmika stands for the high altar, railing for the vrksa Caitya, Bodhimanda, mountain summit etc. spire symbolize Ascension, the stairways, world tree etc. And pinnacle represents the vase, the jewel, and the final enlightenment. Stupa form also represents the Buddha body and sometimes the Dharma.

Stupa is the symbolic representation of whole Buddhist philosophy and Buddhist way. Hence the form got such popularity that it became the hallmark of Buddhism.
The function of the Stupa can be generalized in three points:
· The Stupa as reliquary
· The Stupa as memorial
· The Stupa as votive offering

Although the original form of Stupa was derived from the purest form, later the semi pure form were also associated with the original to support more symbolism.
[i] Four thura (Asoka stupa)of the Patan