མཆོད་རྟེན། | Glossary of Terms

A sacred object representative of buddha mind and the buddha body of reality, originally constructed to enshrine the mortal remains of the Buddha Śākyamuni. The symbolism of the stūpa is complex, and its design varies considerably throughout the Buddhist world.

A sacred object representative of buddha mind and the buddha body of reality, originally constructed to hold the mortal remains of Śākyamuni Buddha. The symbolism of the stūpa is complex, and its design varies considerably throughout the Buddhist world.

A reliquary, often in the shape of a hemispherical mound that contains relics or possessions of the Buddha or a saint.

Sacred structures filled with relics and other sacred objects that represent the enlightened mind of the buddhas.

A Buddhist sacred monument usually holding the relics of a buddha or some highly revered Buddhist master.

Reliquary for the remains of a buddha or enlightened master, and also a symbol for the mind or enlightenment of the Buddha.

Reliquary for the remains of a buddha or enlightened master.

Literally in the Tibetan, a support of veneration. Usually a heap or circular archeological structure containing relics of the masters of the past.

Usually a mounded or circular structure containing relics of the masters of the past. A support of veneration.

A Buddhist sacred monument, usually holding the relics of a Buddha or some highly revered Buddhist master.

A monument that contains the relics of a buddha or saint, erected for devotees as an object of veneration and merit-making.

Reliquary for the remains of the Buddha or holy beings that represents the body of the Buddha.

A Buddhist monument and reliquary representing the enlightened mind of a buddha.

According to the Mvy., the Tibetan mchod rten should be used to translate both the Sanskrit stūpa and caitya (Sakaki 6999 and 7000).

A Buddhist monument and reliquary holding the relics of a buddha or some highly revered Buddhist master, representing the enlightened mind of a buddha. See “caitya.”

Apart from a Buddhist monument enshrining relics, it can also mean the central bead of a rosary.

A sacred object representative of the mind of a buddha and the body of reality (dharmakāya), originally constructed to hold the mortal remains of Śākyamuni Buddha. The symbolism of the stūpa is complex, and its design varies considerably throughout the Buddhist world.

Reliquary for the remains of a buddha or enlightened master.

Reliquary for the remains of a buddha or enlightened master.

Sometimes synonymous with stūpa, however, caitya can also in certain contexts refer to a temple that may or may not contain a stūpa, or to any place or thing that is worthy of veneration. The Tibetan translates both stūpa and caitya with the same word‍—mchod rten (“basis” or “recipient” of offerings). Pali: cetiya.

A shrine. The word is often used interchangably with stūpa but can be used more widely for various kinds of simple shrines such as those for sacred trees.

Sometimes synonymous with stūpa, but can refer to a temple that may or may not contain a stūpa, or any place or thing that is worthy of veneration. The Tibetan translation is identical for stūpa and caitya.

A structure containing holy relics.

A mound or circular structure used as a focal point for offerings. When these contain relics of a buddha or other realized beings, they are more commonly called stūpas.

The Sanskrit word caitya can refer to a stūpa, but also to a shrine (containing an image or a stūpa), a sacred place of worship, or any sacred object.

A holy monument enshrining relics, usually in a shape that represents the five elements.

A domed structure containing relics.

A general term for any structure or site that is deemed worthy of veneration. In Tibetan, the term can be literally translated as “a basis of worship.” Such a site can be naturally occurring but is more typically a structure erected for the purpose of worship. This can be a mound, a shrine, or other generically shaped structure, but in most Buddhist contexts is identified with the domed structure also known as a stūpa. Both caitya and stūpa are translated into Tibetan with the term mchod rten, but a stūpa is a subcategory of caitya that specifically contains a relic of the Buddha, another tathāgata, or another sacred person.

A domed structure that often serves as a reliquary.

A domed structure containing relics.

A shrine or other structure used as a focal point for offerings. When these contain relics of a buddha or other realized beings, they are more commonly called stūpas.

A structure for worship in which relics of a buddha are stored.

See “caitya.”

A monument containing a relic of a buddha or other holy beings (Rigzin 112).

This can refer to a shrine or a reliquary.