What is a Pagoda（塔）? : Temples
- Published 2010.7.13
The roots behind Japanese pagodas are found in India’s “stūpa.” The original purpose of this building was to hold the ashes of Buddha. When Buddhism came to Japan, the pagoda became a wooden structure of multiple roofs, and is today a unique Japanese structure.
The pagodas in Japan were naturally made from wood, resulting in a loss of many due to fire. The oldest pagoda which is still in existence in Japan is the Joryu-ji temple’s five-storied pagoda.
*Buddha’s ashes are said to be the remains of Buddha’s cremation, the dust on the altar.
