LA PAGODA BUDISTA EN LOS TEMPLOS JAPONESES

Abstract

The buddhist Pagoda has its origin in the Indian "Stupa". The "Stupa" is a funeral mound in the shape of a hemisphere. It already existed in the ancient cosmic religion, and was later accepted by the Buddhist iconography in order to keep the relics of the historical Buddha. The Pagoda, in the Buddhist temples of Japan, was getting the most important place, as the "Stupa" had in its origins. The "Stupa" is a symbol ofthe Buddha, and was located in the very centre pf the temple compound. But, little by little, it was giving its place to the main sanctuary where the Buddhist images were located.