Stupa in Mexican Art

Summary

P. C. Das Gupta’s article “Stupa in Mexican Art” investigates parallels between the stupa—hemispherical or domed memorials central to Buddhist and Jain architecture—and ancient Mexican art and architecture. He begins by outlining the symbolic significance of stupas, noting that their components (base, railing, terraces, stairs, harmikā, umbrella and pillar) symbolise the path to liberation. Citing U. P. Shah, he traces the evolution of stupas from simple fire altars and caitya shrines and draws connections to Jain legends such as the eight‑terraced Mount Aṣṭāpada. After establishing the Indian context, Das Gupta surveys evidence of Indian cultural influence across South‑East Asia and speculates that motifs such as terraced stupas may have diffused eastward and even across the Pacific. He analyses a Toltec fresco from Teotihuacan depicting fire altars topped with box‑like structures reminiscent of harmikās, compares Mexican jadeite temples and Olmec statues to Jain icons, and discusses legends of bearded missionaries and maritime voyages linking India to Central America. While acknowledging that the evidence is conjectural, he argues that recurring stupa‑like forms and shared symbolism warrant further interdisciplinary research into possible transoceanic cultural exchanges.