With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements:
1. The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in ori

Question

With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements:
1. The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin.
2. Stupa was generally a repository of relics.
3. Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

While stupas are deeply associated with Buddhism and serve as repositories for relics of the Buddha and prominent monks, the concept of mound-like burial structures predates Buddhism in India, with examples found in earlier cultures. However, the specific architectural form and elaboration of the stupa as a significant Buddhist monument, serving both votive and commemorative purposes, became central to the Buddhist tradition after the Buddha's parinirvana.