Buddhist shrines

Usage examples of stupas.

There were, for instance, terraced stupas of a polygonal plan with many step-backs.

India an upper processional path so reached was a feature of many stupas but in Tibet the space at the foot of the dome was too narrow to be functional.

There were also richly decorated silver and gold stupas containing the body of Dalai Lamas in the Potala at Lhasa and of the Panchen Lamas at Tashilhunpo.

Smaller model stupas were used for ritual purposes, particularly on altars.