1) The stupa is an important form of Buddhist architecture, though it predates Buddhism. Discuss the religious, architectural and philosophical significance of various Buddhist stupas. (250 Words)

Religious significance is that 

1. It is a symbolic mark of Bddhism in India. By loooking at a stupa, we come to know, that this place have had influence of Buddhism in the past

2. It also signifies that people lioviign around Stupa, profess Buddhism to a certain extent. FOr e.g. in Maharashtra, we find many stupas, and in Maharshtra , a certain population profess Buddhism, Same applies for Bihar (Sarnath)

3. In some places, like in Ellora, there are stupas along with the temples of various faiths. This shows that Hinduism, Jainism was also contemporary to Buddhism

Architectural significance

1. Circumbulatory passages of Stupas- for encircling and paying respect to the deity, this was unique

2. Jataka stories sculpted on the Torans- this was also unique, not seen in any other religion, for eg. Hinduism 

3. Majority of stupas made of burnt bricks- signify that architecture was not too much advanced during that period as seen in Tanjore temples

4. First architectural design to preserve the nails, and body parts. This is unique, though we see, tomb architecture in Islam, but they were not carved with teachings and stories. 

Philosophical significance

1. Stupas signfy that bodies are mortal. Only karma exists. Buddhism was the first religion who propounded the theory of Karma through Noble Truths and 8 Fold Paths

2. Philosophy teachers stories need to be preserved. So they were carved in edicts.