Glossary

Aksara A letter in one of the Indian systems of writing, it may combine the values of consonant and vowel.

Ayaka A platform projecting from the base drum of the stupa at or near the cardinal points, facing the gateways in the stupa railing. Especially common in Southeast India. Also - pillars, inscribed and or decorated pillars installed on the ayaka platforms.

Bodhisattva Variously, a being destined to be a Buddha in a future existence; an enlightened being [Buddha] who delays his extinction to help other beings progress towards that state.

Chakravartin Literally lord of the wheel (of the law), that is, world ruler.

Chattra Umbrella, with multiple tiers a symbol of status : 1-3 for a minister, 7 for a king, 9-11 for a chakravartin, an infinite number for a Buddha.

Dakshinapatha The southern trade route leading from the Ganges-Yamuna basin into the Deccan.

Dhamma [also dharma"] Literally law, symbolized by a many-spoked wheel, but in Buddhism denotes the whole system of Buddhist thought and rules for righteous living.

Harmika Quadrangular structure on top of stupa dome and below the umbrella or spire.

Karma Sum of actions and inactions influencing the states of rebirth of all beings.

Nibbana [also Nirvana"] State of extinction after death when the chain of rebirth is broken; attainable only by enlightened beings - Buddhas and bodhisattvas.

Sangha The community of monks in both Buddhism and Jainism.

Samsara The cycle of existences, of births and rebirths.

Sikhara A tower of multiple stories and bearing architectural ornaments on each storey in a diminishing scale, developed as the superstructure of Buddhist temples in the second half of the first millennium CE.

Sima Boundary of the consecrated land of a Buddhist

Establishment, that is, of an individual monument or a complex of associated structures.

Triratna Literally three jewels, in Buddhism, the Buddha, dhamma, sangha.

Uttarapatha The northern trade route leading from the Ganges-Yamuna basin to the Indus Valley and Afghanistan.

Vinaya The rules of conduct for Buddhist monks and nuns, of which several traditions survive. The Pali tradition is thought to be the oldest.

Yasti The wooden pole implanted on the summit of early stupas and, in the northern tradition penetrating into the solid core of the stupa with its base resting on the relic chamber. The part of the pole emerging from the top of the stupa could be decorated with flags and the tiers of umbrellas - both symbols of high status.