Pagoda: Difference between revisions

This article is about the building style. For information about the New York band Pagoda, see Pagoda (band) and for the Indian coin, see Pagoda (coin).

A pagoda is the general term in the English language for a tiered tower with multiple eaves common in China, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Vietnam and other parts of Asia. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most commonly Buddhist, and were often located in or near temples. This term may refer to other religious structures in some countries. In Thailand, "pagoda" usually means the same as stupa while in Vietnam, "pagoda" is a more generic term referring to a place of worship.

The modern pagoda is an evolution of the Indian stupa, a tomb-like structure where sacred relics could be kept safe and venerated.^[1] The architectural structure of the stupa has spread across Asia, taking on many diverse forms as details specific to different regions are incorporated into the overall design.

The Chinese word for stupa, ta, is an abbreviated translation (from tapo) of the Sanskrit Stupa. The origins of the word Pagoda are obscure. In modern usage, the word Stupa and Pagoda refer to the same thing.^[2]

The Pagoda's original purpose was to house relics and sacred writings. ^[3] This purpose was popularized due to the efforts of Buddhist missionaries, pilgrims, rulers, and ordinary devotees to seek out, distribute, and extol Buddhist relics.^[2]

Han iconography is noticable in Chinese pagoda architecture. The image of the Shakyamuni Buddha in the abhaya mudra is also noticable in some Pagodas. Buddhist iconography can be observed throughout the pagoda symbolism.^[4]

In an article on Buddhist elements in Han art, Wu Hung suggests that in these tomba, Buddhist iconography was so well incorporated into native Chinese traditions that a unique system of symbolism had been developed.^[5]

Pagodas attract lightning strikes because of their height. This tendency may have played a role in their perception as spiritually charged places. Many pagodas have a decorated finial at the top of the structure. The finial is designed in such a way as to have symbolic meaning within Buddhism; for example, it may include designs representing a lotus. The finial also functions as a lightning rod, and thus helps to both attract lightning and protect the pagoda from lightning damage.

• Global Pagoda, the largest unsupported domed stone structure in the world.
• An Quang Pagoda, a meeting place for Vietnamese Buddhist leaders in Ho Chi Minh City, and site of the Institute for Dharma Propagation.
• Most pagodas with a religious function are Buddhist stupas; however, the Daqin Pagoda in China was an exception, being built by early Christians.
• Miruksa Temple Pagoda at Iksan of Chollabuk-do province in the Republic of Korea, a Baekje pagoda mid 5th century.
• Toji, the tallest wooden structure in Japan.
• The Porcelain Tower of Nanjing, a wonder of the medieval world in Nanjing, China.
• Phra Pathom Chedi the highest pagoda or stupa in the world Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
• Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar
• Pha That Luang, the holiest wat, pagoda, and stupa in Laos, in Vientiane
• Taipei 101, currently the world's tallest building that is intended to look like a pagoda
• Liuhe Pagoda of Hangzhou, built in 1165 AD, during the Chinese Song Dynasty.
• Iron Pagoda of Kaifeng, built in 1049 AD, during the Chinese Song Dynasty.
• Giant Wild Goose Pagoda of Xian, built in 652 AD, during the Chinese Tang Dynasty.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pagodas.

• http://www.sogang.ac.kr/~anthony/Korea/Pagodas.htm
• http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/kyongju/bulguksaindex.htm
• http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/ (Tiger Hill Pagoda (Suzhou)
• http://www.exoticindiaart.com/article/stupa

• The Impact of Buddhism on Chinese Material Culture By John Kieschnick. Published 2003. Princeton University Press . ISBN 0691096767.
• A World History of Architecture By Michael W. Fazio, Marian Moffett, Lawrence Wodehouse. Published 2003. McGraw-Hill Professional. ISBN 0071417516.
• Psycho-cosmic symbolism of the Buddhist stupa, AB Govinda, 1976, Emeryville, California. Dharma Publications.

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