What kind of answer were you looking for mike? Why don't you tell us?

A Sutra story from a Book I just bought Entitled "Tibetan Symbols and Motifs" by Robert Beer.

Sutra story: from page 127

"Shakyamuni is believed to have given the basic design for the stupa within his own lifetime. A sutra story relates that the relics of Shariputra , one of Shakyamuni's closest disciples, were enshrined in a lay disciples house for veneration. One day the laymen went away locking his door and the devotees were disappointed not to be able to worship the relics. When it was brought to the Shakyamuni's attention, he decreed that an external reliquary should be constructed housing Shariputra's relics, to which all people could have continuous free access. He described its construction as having four gradually ascending steps, a circular vase base, a vase dome, a square harmika , an axle pole, a rain cover, and from one to thirteen stacked umbrella - wheels.

In China the Stupa design evolved into the Pagoda.

As I read the earlier part of the chapter I was taught that Vedic India was like any culture of noelithic, bronce and iron age. Vedic India had built burial mounds . This surprised me since my stereotype of India from typical movies and Hollywood was that of Cremation, cremation cremation. But I read that Vedic India buried the deceased bodies of Great Indian Saints and Kings rather than cremation. Two words read were Samahdhis and Darshan

Darshan - Absorbing The blessings of great Spiritual presence entombed within.
Samahdi - Domed Tombs erected over buried bodies of these Saints and Kings.

Devotees can now circumambulate the Samahdi absorbing the Darshan of the Saint or Kind inside.

The Sutra story of Shakyamuni creating an Architectual Design to enshrine Shariputras relics making for the prototype of Early Buddhisms Stupa Forms is to my liking. I'm not good with Edzerds logical use of words : ) Form, style, prototype, etc. I get confused.

I dont want to copy from the book to often. Seems like plagiarism and cheating : ) I also want to be part of discussion. So I copy from book this time : )

Hi all
Inky:
I am not for sure myself. I thought 'I know sonething about it myself' but not for sure now. The book I am reading is different discrption of it.
May be someone able to find other information(s).

Richky ;
Thank you. I am keep look untill find more information my self. I will share my finding later..........maike