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The Pagoda, or Temple
Tower, is approximately 90 feet high at its tallest
point. The covering of the roof is made of pure
copper. The first floor of the pagoda contains
niches to hold the urns of deceased members.
According to Buddhist legend, when Sakyamuni Buddha
entered Nirvana, his body was cremated at Kusinara.
Seven of the neighboring rulers, under the leadership
of King Ajatasattu, demanded the ashes be divided
among them. At first, the king refused their demands
and a dispute ensued, threatening to end in war.
But a wise man named Dona intervened and the crisis
passed. The ashes were divided and enshrined in
eight great stupas in India. The ashes of the
funeral pyre and the earthen jar that contained
the remains were given to two other rulers to
be likewise honored. Because of the enshrinements,
followers came to worship and pay homage to these
stupas, also called pagodas, which later became
a symbol of the spiritual image of the Buddha.
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