The origin of the pagoda:
The pagoda originated in India. During the Han Dynasty, as Buddhism was introduced to China from India, pagodas were also imported to China. Pagoda is the transliteration of Indian Sanskrit, and its original meaning is tomb. It is the place where the ashes of ancient Indian monks were buried after their death.
Around the first century AD, Indian stupas were introduced to China along with Buddhism, and the word pagoda came into being. However, China did not have the social soil to breed Indian Buddhism.
Buddhism has no choice but to rely on traditional ritual temples, and the pagoda is also combined with classical pavilions and pavilions. There are nine copper strings hanging on top, and a double pavilion road below, that is, adding a pavilion on the top of a multi-story pavilion. A pagoda with nine layers of phase wheels.
Extended information:
Before Buddhism was introduced to my country in the first century AD, there were no pagodas or pagoda characters in our country. When Sanskrit stupa and Pali text Thupo were introduced into our country.
It has been transliterated as stupa, Buddha picture, pagoda, stupa, etc. Since Stupa in ancient India was used to collect Buddhist relics and enshrine Buddha statues and Buddhist scriptures, it was also translated as square tomb. , Yuanzhong, it was not until the Sui and Tang Dynasties that translators created the word "ta", which is still used today as a unified translation.
The shape of the pagoda originated in India. According to Buddhist records, the relics of the Buddha Sakyamuni were cremated after his Nirvana and were collected by eight local kings, who built pagodas to enshrine them.
In addition, there are eight places of commemorative significance in Sakyamuni’s life, such as the Lumbini Garden where he was born, the Neranja River where he became enlightened, the Sarnath Garden where he first preached, and the place of residence. The Jituo Garden, from the Sangya Shiguo Qunv City where the world is punished.
Eight great spiritual pagodas were built in the city of Rajagaha where the monks are separated, the city of Viyali where they will enter nirvana, and the city of Kushina where they will enter nirvana. They are called Julian Pagoda and Bodhi in turn. Tower, auspicious tower, divine transformation tower, heavenly descending tower, peace tower, victory tower and nirvana tower.
These pagodas are of commemorative significance. The Eight Treasures Pagoda of Good Death is built in Kumbum Monastery in Qinghai, and the Eight Tathagata Pagodas are built in Potala Palace in Tibet. They were also built to commemorate the eight deeds of Sakyamuni Buddha. of. The pagoda was first used to enshrine and place relics, scriptures and various dharma objects.
Baidu Encyclopedia—Pagoda