Description
A pagoda is a building found in many Buddhist temples throughout Asia. It is shaped like a tower consisting of several, progressively smaller stories. Each story has its own roof. Besides Buddhist temples, pagodas can also be found in Chinese temples and Taoist temples. These buildings often have seven or thirteen stories. Pagodas are characteristic of architecture in China, Thailand, and Japan, among other places. They are derived from the Indian stupa. The pagoda stands separate from other buildings, allowing the devout Buddhist to walk around it, as a ritual, to pay respect to the relics kept within. Unlike the Indian stupa, pagodas are usually accessible. It is customary to make a donation when visiting. The Buddhist pagoda was developed into a bottle-shaped building in Tibet, took on pyramidal or conical forms in Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, but the most familiar pagoda form was developed in China, Korea, and Japan: a long tower with repeating, usually progressively smaller units. The stories can be circular, square, or polygonal. Each East Asian pagoda has its own unique roof design, and at the top, the building is adorned with a mast with disks. The pagoda is primarily intended as a monument, and inside, there is little usable space. The word pagoda is, according to some, a corruption of the Persian word butkada (literally, idol house), but according to Brittanica, the word was corrupted by the Portuguese from the Sanskrit bhagavata (house of worship, from bhag: prayer). In Pali, however, Bhagavata means the Blessed One and refers to the Buddha. In reality, we must return to our origins. In Pali, a Thupa (Sanskrit: Stupa) is also described as a Dhatu-gabbha (reliquary), which is shortened to Dagoba (used, for example, in Sri Lanka) and then to Pagoda. The word was already in use before the Persians heard of it. See also the Silver Pagoda and the Kinkaku-ji.
Jasper is an opaque and finely crystalline variety of quartz. Its chemical composition is identical to that of agate, flint, and chert. Its colors are variable, from yellow through red and reddish brown to green. Jasper stones are cut and polished for jewelry. The name jasper derives from a Semitic language via Latin and Greek (íaspis) and means "spotted or speckled stone." The main deposits of jasper are India (Dekkan Plateau) and Mexico (yellow), Germany (red), and Africa, Australia, Brazil, Egypt, France, and the United States (other colors). Jasper has been used as a gemstone since ancient times. It was made into seal stones, small cut stones, and trinkets. Jasper was believed to have magical powers. In ancient times, it was called the mother of all stones. Today, it is used in cabochons, tableware, and handicrafts. Imitations are made from glass. The Egyptians and Greeks already used jasper to enhance sexuality and achieve rapid pregnancy. Among Native Americans, yellow jasper served as a rainstone. Several medicinal properties are attributed to jasper, such as stress reduction, weight loss, treating stomach complaints, and resolving liver problems. According to various literary sources, jasper is associated with the zodiac signs Aries, Virgo, Cancer, and Scorpio. The Christian text Revelation 4:2-3 states: "In that moment I was in the Spirit. There was a throne in heaven, and someone was sitting on it. The one sitting had the appearance of a jasper and a sardine stone, and around the throne was a rainbow like an emerald.".
