According to legend, when the Buddha died, the kings of India fought over his bones, which were eventually divided into eight parts

Illustration/Devdutt Pattanaik

The Buddhist stupa originated as a very simple idea. After the Buddha was cremated, his bones were collected and placed in caskets, which were then covered with a mound. A parasol was placed over the mound to indicate his great status, and people would go around this mound, in clockwise direction, to express their veneration of the teacher.

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Over time, stupas became larger and more elaborate. They were covered with stone, and railings were added around them, like those found in the Sanchi Stupa. These railings had four doorways indicating the four directions, which started becoming more important. The doorways were identified with the kings of the four directions. The railings were decorated with images of the Buddha’s life,........

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