Svayambhu Stupa

The Svayambhu Stupa of Nepal: This gilded sculpture is a symbolic replica of the Svayambhu (Self-Born) Stupa, a monumental Buddhist reliquary in Kathmandu, Nepal. The most important monument of Nepalese Buddhism, it is called “self-born” because it is thought to have appeared from a lotus blossom; since lotus flowers bloom on dark ponds without visible means of support, they symbolize self-existence in south Asian imagery.

The Story of the Stupa: According to the Nepalese story, an ancient buddha once planted a lotus seed in a lake in the Kathmandu Valley. The seed grew into a self-born lotus flower; its petals appear just beneath the central dome on this sculpture. Then, a five-colored beam of light spontaneously emanated from the lotus. Each color corresponded to one of five directional buddhas: blue Akshobhya (The Unshakeable) in the east, yellow Ratnasambhava (Jewel-Born) in the south, red Amitabha (Infinite Light) in the west, green Amoghasiddhi (Unfailing Attainment) in the north, and white Vairochana (The Effulgent) in the center.

Symbolism of the Stupa: Each of four buddhas appears on a visible face of the cube atop the dome. Although their characteristic colors are not used here, each buddha can be identified by a specific symbol and hand gesture: a symbolic thunderbolt appears above Akshobhya, who touches the earth; a jewel above Ratnasambhava, who makes the gift-giving gesture; a lotus above Amitabha, who folds his hands one atop the other in meditation; and two crossed ritual objects (vajras) above Amoghasiddhi, who holds up his right hand in the “no-fear” gesture. The fifth buddha, Vairochana, looks out with half-closed eyes from the four sides of the cube atop the dome.

Consecration of the Stupa: Buddhist stupas were created to contain the relics of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, his disciples, or even his teachings. This stupa, however, did not come to the Asian Art Museum with its consecration deposit intact. For this reason, when the museum moved to the Civic Center, Bhutanese lamas reconsecrated the sculpture. They included in the new consecration deposit traditional herbs, sacred texts, and a wooden central axis. After the ceremony, they resealed the stupa; the original seal is now displayed underneath the stupa. When consecrated and sealed, the stupa retains the power of the objects it holds inside. Since the spiritual potencies it contains cannot leak out of a stupa, the benefits of objects sealed within are theoretically available to worshipers forever.