Many Stupas consist of a bottom part and the actual Stupa. The bottom part, which reaches to the top plate is the throne on which the actual Stupa stands. The Stupa itself then begins with a wreath of lotus leaves followed by four steps, yet another wreath of lotus leaves, a dome, and then the elements at the top. Each part of a Stupa has a symbolic meaning:

• The base of the Stupa represents the Ten Healing Actions. The prevention of: killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, slander, swearing, gossip, greed, evilness and false views.


• The first Lotus flower of the Stupa represents the Six Memories. The memory of: the master, the Buddha, the Dharma, the Sangha, the Ethic and the Generosity.


• The four steps represent the Four Elements: earth, water, fire and wind.


• The base of the dome represents the Five Forces of a Buddha. The force of; faith, enthusiasm, attention, concentration and knowledge.


• The dome represents enlightenment.


• The square, which stands on the top, symbolises the Eight-Fold way and the thirty-seven qualities of enlightenment.


• The Lotus flower that sits at the foot of the top shows the freedom from the mistakes of the conditioned existence.


• The thirteen rings represent the ten powers and the three consciousness’ of a Buddha’s mind: the consciousness of being free of all types of lust, the consciousness of being free of hate and the consciousness of being free from the impartial view towards listeners and not listeners.


• The conical ledge,which leads from the rings to the umbrella, represents the ‘Dharani of compassion’, which means the union of great compassion with the sixteen emptiness'.


• The umbrella and the ring under the crown shows the Union of Method and Wisdom.


• The crown represents further activities.


• The moon and sun represents the wisdom of the so-being and the so-seeing, the Conventional and Ultimate Wisdom.


• The point corresponds to the condition of the Great Union. That is the condition of enlightenment, in which the body and mind or the illusory body and wisdom of the Clear Light are united.


• Ornaments, which can be attached between the point and dome, show the sixty "limbs" of the speech of a Buddha.


• The four columns, which can stand beside a Stupa, show the four fearlessness of a Buddha: The fearlessness of conquering all defeating obstacles, the fearlessness of conquering all knowledge, the fearlessness of stating what must be overcome and the fearlessness of stating the remedies.


• The Victory banners on these four columns show the victory over the four Maras or negative forces.


• Garlands with which a Stupa can be decorated, show the 32 characteristics and 80 indications of the body of a Buddha.