Stupa
/ˈstuːpə/noun
A dome-shaped Buddhist monument used as a reliquary and site of meditation.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Sanskrit roots tied to a heap or mound, and the structure’s original purpose was to enshrine relics, turning architecture into a vessel of sanctity.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*(s)teu-
“To push, stick, knock, or heap up”
Sanskrit
Sanskrit
stūpa-
“A heap, mound, or dome-shaped funerary/reliquary monument”
Prakrit
Prakrit
thūpa
“A mound or Buddhist reliquary mound”
Pali
Pali
thūpa
“A reliquary mound; a Buddhist monument containing relics”
English
English
stupa
“A Buddhist dome-shaped monument or reliquary”