Loinoi Stupa

An architecture of Loinoi Stupa

An architecture of Wat Loinoi Stupa

Stupa is one of the most important symbols of early Buddhism. It can be seen in almost of Buddhist monasteries in Southeast Asian Buddhist countries, like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar and so on. All Stupas including those built in modern time are supposed to enshrine relic from the Buddha or a sacred character. So when somebody is worshipping a Stupa feels as if he is worshipping the Buddha himself.

A short history of Loinoi Stupa

There are many kinds of ancient Stupas in Myanmar. Loinoi Stupa is of them. It set up on the mountain which stand in the middle region of Moung Pan, in the South Shan State the Union of Myanmar.  Surprisingly, this mountain appeared setting up lonely in the middle of Moun Pan. The name of Loinoi is said to be Thai word. In earlier time when Thai ruled in this region, they called this mountain as “Loinoi”. Loi means mountain, and Noi means not too height. References on this word the Stupa and Monastery which set up on it also named Loinoi Stupa and Loinoi  Monastery. Considering above the reason, both Stupa and Monastery seemed to had before Thai came and ruled in this region.

Respecting the history of Moung Pan, I have searched many of history books which had been written by Burmess historian.  It is said that this Moung Pan region was established by Burmess king U Aaungjeya, while he went fighting to Thailand. Unfortunately, this history was not truth, many elderlies said when was discussing with them.

However, it should belief that they could know clearly more than historian by their experience generation by generation. So in this article, all information has been taken from some kinds of old book which had been written in our Shan word and from many elderlies’ oral. Then have been translated in to English.

An architecture of Loinoi Stupa

The Loinoi Stupa is very simple symbol which slightly different from other Stupas in Myanmar. And it was said to be built in two hundred years ago. The structure of Stupa was divided difference. It was square of under the ground and the first step was established  like a throne with ten terraces as  a seat of the Buddha. Then in the middle they kept four statues of the Buddha which face to four directions.  The upper was bell shaped superstructure and the diamond was put at the top. 

Regarding the structure of Loinoi Stupa, firstly they built the pedestal. After that ten terraces were built. These express that the Buddha have fulfilled ten Paramita to become a Buddha. Paramitas are the ways one has to practise long period of time to become a Buddha. And to showed that they are not only the practices to attain enlightenment but also ethically valuable for those who follow them.  Then above these, there have three terraces which smaller than under those ten terraces. these mean the three super-knowledge what the Buddha attained under the Bodhi tree while he enlightened.

In the middle structure, there  were four statues of Samadhi Buddhas  facing to four directions. It said that during the Buddha alive, daily in the morning time when the dawn up, he looked all over world-circle from his monastery searching human being who could understand his dhamma. As the seem ways in the evening he looked from out world-circle to the place where he lived. Then Square structure was on the statues of the Buddha with figures of four guardians.

Above then, were Bell shaped superstructure, and Inverted alms bowl. There was one of Turban band between Bell shaped superstructure, and Inverted alms bowl. These tow express as Samatha bhavana and Vipassana bhavana which lead to super-mundane. The structures showed that after the Buddha enlightened. He tough two methods which lead to super-mundane through Nibbana.

In the Buddha’s teaching, firstly Samatha meditation refers temporally specification of defilement. It also means to make the mind stand still and calm and also to prevent it from all sorts of hindrances. There are 40 subjects recommended for this Samatha meditation. The subject should be selected according to the type of characters one belongs.  

Secondly Vipassana meditation means seeing beyond what is ordinary, clear vision. It is not surface seeing or not seeing mere appearances, but seeing things as they really are. This means seeing everything in terms of the three characteristics, impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha) and  egolessness (anatta). These things are the basic of concentration of mind and it enables the meditator to purge his mind of all defilements, to remove ego-illusion, to see reality, and to experience Nibbana.

On that, it was called pillar. Its has eight globular portions. Eight globular portions express Eight Super-mundane, from Sotapattimagga to Arahatthaphala. After practicing Samatha and Vipassana one is going to attain these super-mundane and realist Nibbana. So this pillar showed that one who is willing to realist Nibbana, he must follow those tow method according to Buddha’s teaching.

On the top of the pillar they put Umbrella crown. And at the top was Diamond bud. A round the umbrella crown were hanging real small balls. they made a lovely sound when the wind blew them. This sound made people recognize Buddha dhamma and shagha. people are usually  delight when hearing the balls’ sound. Because the Triple Gem always lay down in their deep heart. The diamond bud took place at the top of the highest position. Because diamond is a rarity and invaluable treasure. Even a powerful kings at their crown, a great diamond was but on it. So everyone want it and they really happy when they are wearing it.

As diamond is the great treasure of the world. The ultimate aim of Buddhist is Nibbana- non-attachment. Nibanna is liberation, freedom from suffering, from continuity of Dukkha and the final goal of Buddhism. The Buddhist practice for realization of Nibbanna as its end. The nature of Nibbana cannot expressed by words, and language except realization. However, Buddhism defies Nibbanna as the annihilation or destruction of Raga, Dosa, Moha, destruction of Kamma and even destruction of Dukkha. Therefore Buddhist put the great diamond at the top of the Stupa to achieve their final goal nibbana where peace and happiness.

In conclusion one of the most important symbols of early Buddhism is Stupa. But in the Buddhist architecture, the Stupa has variant forms which were created. Nevertheless when we study about the history and architecture of Loinoi Stupa, we come to know that this Stupa is one of the ancient inheritance with great beautiful architecture which express the meaning regarding the Buddha life and the aim of Buddhism. At the ground level the structure of ten terraces express as the ten perfections what the Buddha have fulfilled to become a Buddha. The four statues of Buddha express after enlightened he was looking for human whom worth  to save.

On that, were Bell shaped superstructure, and Inverted alms bowl which express as the buddha’s teaching Samatha and Vipasana. And one a pillar was set on. It means eight super-mundane. On the pillar was hanging small balls round an umbrella. That sound recognize people to Triple gem. Diamond was kept at the highest position express as the Nibbana the aim of Buddhism. So in the Buddhist architecture, bodily relics of the Buddha are represented in the Stupa. The Stupa is generally formed in various shapes. Thus the different types of Stupa should be traced.