Posted 3 years ago
ho2cultcha
(5051 items)
I think that this lacquer stupa is from Thailand or Burma. A Buddhist offering bowl, i assume. I found it yesterday. It's pretty large - about 20 inches tall. I really like the deep cut circles and everything about this piece!
A stupa would traditionally be on someone's shrine (practice altar) as a representation of the enlightened mind of the Buddha. In the same way, a Buddha image would represent the enlightened body of the Buddha, and a sutra text, the Buddha's speech.
Normally you would put only sacred objects into a stupa - relics, small texts, that kind of thing. Or, less formally, anything that you regard as blessed or holy in some way.
It's nice that this one is open and not sealed, that way you can put into it whatever you like :)
thank you for the info rhine! i'll remember to only put that which is sacred to me inside of it.